WE ARE FREE TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM!

Praise God, we can sing once again!  It's been a few years, 

but we are looking forward, as we hope you are, 

to joining our voices once more to sing praises to God, 

to sing honor to our veterans, 

and to bring hope and encouragement to all! 

Come here regulary for updates and music aids.

First practice is Wednesday, 6/29 @ 7PM

at Pathways Community Church!

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What You Need To Know About THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Nothing to learn here, sheet music-wise, but as with all previous years, we will end with the Battle Hymn, David leading, and the rest of us, including the audience, joining on the chorus. The exact arrangement can be found in this performance by the Gaithers, if you’d like to practice. You can sing whatever makes you happy (melody, harmony, lip-sync :>) ).

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What You Need To Know About TRUTH IS MARCHING ON

Truth is Marching On

Again, remember dynamics. Leave room in your p to mf to go up, and breath correspondingly.Most of you, having sung this several times previously, are nailing the rhythms (i.e. “corridors of time,”). Keep it up :>).Watch at the very end for my cut and cue for “-ing // on----“....
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What You Need To Know About THE MANSIONS OF THE LORD

The Mansions of the Lord

As it stands now, the trumpet will start immediately at the start of the slideshow; trumpet will fade and choir will sing V1, V2, notes of V1 “oohed,” V3; then the trumpet will play one more verse (perhaps muted); hopefully, by then, the slides will be over or close; at the last slide, the crowd will stand and the trumpet will play Taps.Start with reverence, like you’re in a sacred space and you are unworthy to sing the words.I’m going to g...
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What You Need To Know About YOU ARE THERE

You Are There

Lots could be said about this song, but focus on these things:

Again, watch the director whenever possible. It’s important, especially on exposed parts (such as the mens’ intro phrases), that we are together. Even if I’m off a bit, it will sound better if we are all off together than some right, some not; plus, we’ll get back on track quicker if we stay together.That said, counting (in your head) is even more important on this song than many since th...
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What You Need To Know About the Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner

Watch direction for holdsStrong start, down to mf at start of anthemKeep up, steady “march” feel throughoutAs in all songs, leave room for crescendos – don’t start so loud that there’s no room to goLarge crescendo on “was still there,” then big drop, then steady crescendo again, with peak at “free” (longest hold here – watch director)....
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Your Church is ?

As we've done in past years, we will post your church in the program. Below is last year's list. Let me know if your church is not on the list. Thanks!

Anoka Covenant Church, AnokaBethlehem Baptist Church, MoundsviewChamplin United Methodist Church, ChamplinConstance Free Church, AndoverEaglebrook Church, Spring Lake ParkEmmanuel Christian Center, Spring Lake Park Emmanuel Covenant Church, ShoreviewNorth Heights Lutheran Church, Arden HillsOak Park Community Church, Blai...
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VIDEO for YOU ARE THERE

Here is the video that will play (minus the voices) while we sing YOU ARE THERE....
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Men Only Practice Friday @ 7pm!

This is it, guys! See you at 7!

Like all of you, I'm attempting to do my best, preparing for choir and the Freedom Celebration in general. But also like many of you, life has it's detours. I've had a few this past 48 hours. By Sunday evening, yesterday's through Sunday's posts will have been expanded. I'll remind you then to revisit them. Meanwhile, review the Dynamics chart from yesterday's post, as it can be useful. And pray! And listen! And sing!

Speaking of pray

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DyNaMiCs

This post is about DyNaMiCs, but I might not get to it until tomorrow, due to some unexpected events; however, you can still comment and earn your iPad entry; just remember to come back and read the rest of it tomorrow! Thanks!

Chris

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WHERE SHOULD MY FOCUS BE?

I know too well the distractions and demands of modern life are profuse. From the youngest to the oldest, few are spared the onslaught. Mostly, what distracts us is both trivial and unnecessary for living. But I don't want to get into a long treatise here on what's important in life. As I've shared at practice, I strongly feel that it is tough to imagine much that fills our daily lives that even comes in a distant second to what we are doing on July 27, singing to hono

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One more way to win an IPAD - READ THIS!

For those of you who haven't heard, here's one more way to earn entries in the iPad drawing:

READ EVERY BLOG POST, THEN COMMENT. That's it. Below, there are several blog entries. Read each one, then click on the "COMMENT" button, and leave a comment. It could by anything - "Hi"; "Practiced 10 hours today" :>); or ask a question about or comment on the music. Then sign your name. Every time you do that equals one more entry in the iPad drawing.

I will be writing at leas

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FRAGRANCE FREE REHEARSALS

I forgot to mention last time that there are at least 2 singers who have a strong sensitivity to fragrances, so it is appreciated if all would refrain from wearing any. THANKS!...
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Back Wall Slides for YOU ARE THERE

Some have lobbied hard for the lyrics of YOU ARE THERE to be displayed on the back wall during the performance. I only hesitated because I felt that with 8 voices, it could be difficult to follow; however, I think those concerns might be overblown. I have prepared and timed slides to appear on the back wall, and we will practice with them. For the most part, it's easy to follow; however, in one or two spots, you'll want to look closely at which lines your particular voi...
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Need More Singers! Not too late to invite others!

We had a good practice tonight! We need 40 total singers to make the iPad contest a go, so KEEP ASKING! We're somewhere around 30 if everyone shows, so if even half of you brought just one person, that would do it; and if everyone brought one, we'd have far more than we need. But don't count on the other guy! Keep asking until you get a yes. It's not as hard as you think!

Thanks to all who came tonight! For those who couldn't make it, check back here later for updates

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