30 years of You Can Lead Singing

The cover of my book

Thirty Years Ago

Thirty years ago I wrote it. In 1995 my manual for song leading was published, You Can Lead Singing. "Yes, you can," I had to insist with the editor who can't carry a tune.  She took my word and signed off on it. Now almost 30 years later, it's out of print. But I'm here. Actually, on Amazon I can buy a used one for $1.55.

Back to Watts Masterpieces

You can find 21 Isaac Watts hymns in here

I'm doing Watts April 7, 2024

I am one of the song leaders for the singing at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pa., on Sunday, April 7.  That's just two weeks away.  Stan Godshall, Steve Ness, and Mike Burkholder also will lead hymns.  For my set of hymns I am choosing hymns by Isaac Watts.  Why?  I admire his craftsmanship over all other authors of hymns. And, this year is the 350th anniversary of his birth.  That's something--collecting royalties for 350 years (well, not the royalties part)!  

I normally would grab Voices Together for singing, but the editors missed the boat on Watt.  Tice included only seven (an eighth not set for congregational singing) of the masterpieces.  So, we'll find all we want in Hymnal, a worship book, where you can find all of twenty-one of those gems.

Watts concert

This Nov. 24, the last Sunday before Advent, I led a concert focused on Isaac Watts (1674-1748)  hymns.  He's pretty much captured the high ground of global hymnody with Joy to the World, Jesus Shall Reign, When I survey, Alas and Did, The Lord my Shepherd Is, et. al.

Supporting the congregational voices I had the Bravura Brass Quintet, a select vocal ensemble, me on the organ a few times, and Patricia Martin on piano for three songs.  The brass preluded and interluded the event with pieces written by contemporaries of Watts (e.g. Bach, Handel, Albinoni) and one piece by me, the third of the offertory.  I also wrote all the brass parts accompanying the hymns.  If you want to hear the 52 minutes of just the music, click here.  Here's one view of the event.

the song leaders' song

On August 25, nine Neffsville song leaders presented "Fairest Lord Jesus."  I call them  the Canticles.  I arranged the hymn which is  #117 in Hymnal: A Worship Book.  I had the challenge of balancing five male voices with four female and only with a 20-minute "run-through" before the morning service.  One expects good voices and musicianship with song leaders and we got exactly that!  Enjoy!  Click this or the "box" below:  https://app.box.com/s/c4pwn03b7qswqq6ua9e3

"let the chldren come"

The children did come, mostly elementary school age but some older.  The event was one of the classes in the week called "Created 2 Praise."  My part of that was "explore the organ."  Eight kids and one older helper went through exercises of listening, singing, rhythm, imitation and actual playing the organ for each other.  Here's the happy group!