Vocals

Here is what I tell our junior high vocalists before they audition

.

Please know that this is not Saddleback Idol, we are not looking for divas or rock stars, but we are here to lead your peers to the throne of God and if you feel like you need to have the spotlight to be seen, heard or discovered, then this is not the place (I really say this for stage parents).  We are a ministry and not a hobby and we are hear to edify the body of Christ and we will expect a great commitment out of you.

Also please know that some vocals are made for solo’s, some are made for choirs, and some are made to lead worship.  If you don’t make it on a microphone at any time don’t let that discourage you from wanting to worship the Lord through song.  I am going to tell you straight up some of your parents are tone deaf and they will tell you that you sound great, but I am here to tell you the truth, but also help you along in this journey we call worship leading.  So, know that some of you may need to sing in the choir first and some of you may not make it to the microphone, but that is okay, because singing in the choir is just as awesome.  No one is better than the other just because they sing in the choir.  Okay everyone stand up, turn around 6 times, take a deep breath and here we go.

This is our process:

We encourage students to be prepared to sing a song for about 30 seconds to a minute for us to listen to.

Then when they come to the audition we teach them a familiar  worship song or a easy worship song.  Like the chorus of Here I am to worship accompanied by a guitar or piano.  (Note: some dudes sing in different keys than girls do so help them find there key and then have dude sing it.)

Then we have them come up and have them sing the song they have prepared or just sing Here I am to Worship chorus 3 times.

Sometimes students come with a track with vocals on it and you can’t hear what they are singing.

That is why we have them sing the chorus of a Here I am to Worship 3 times because you can totally hear them.

Then when they are done they are free to leave and they know that we will call with in the next week or two what the next step is.

Wildside (Junior High) requirements to sing on a mic

1) Must hit melody Tone

2) Confident

3) Teachable

NOTE: If they want to sing but can’t hit anything at first will start them in them in the Choir.

NOTE: In junior high, I am not to worried if they know harmonies yet because they will learn as we teach them in the choir.

HEART NOTE: Now some of you are asking what about he heart.  My thought in allowing Junior Highers lead is a time to Discover (Purpose:Ministry).  Of course we want their hearts to sing for Jesus, but they’re in Junior High.  What were you doing in Junior High?  That is where we come in and help them understand and grow that when we leading worship we are painting a picture through song to allow people to see and experience just a little more to be in the presence of God.

I however am not that good of a vocalist Philipino

Taffy

We found this band a while ago but still haven’t used any of their songs. This song in particular is incredible, but it’s tough to see how to fit it into a service exactly. The verses aren’t very congregational, but the chorus is so simple and powerful. 

We might try and play it after the message at our college service this next thursday. Perhaps have the congregation remain seated? Many would call that a “response” song I believe? We actually don’t do those very often.  

What do you think? How would you use this song?

-david

Sorry its been a crazy week!!!

Last weekend we had the Crazy music Set-up

Last Saturday night we had our first KILL-Ball Cup

On Monday we had a another FUEL (Night of worship for students) and we had an emphasis on Prayer.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we started our Students Ministries CD project so we were in the studio till midnight each night

Thursday got ready for the weekend and taught our Staff a dance for the songs Sexyback which is hilarious.

Friday had a Concert – Janu and the Whalesharks, The Bolts, and Sun From Shawdow.  All students who have been through our music ministry or are still in it.

Tomorrow morning we have auditions for HIGH SCHOOL.

And for the weekend service I am giving a talk on Bitterness!!!

Anyways, i want to explain some of the cool stuff we did this past week to encourage you and inspire , but i won’t be posting till Monday or Tuesday, I HOPE.

GOD IS AWESOME!!!

Rice Price is Up – BOOOOOOOO!!!!

Taffy

This weekend we start our sex series and our bands were asked to some pretty sketchy secular songs. And in this first talk in the series, the program is talking about how the Bible is timeless. So we are showing how sex was perceived throughout the decades in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today. The method we are using to communicate is an “in your face” type message on how the world has messed up so badly, so we are trying to get the attention of students to know and be aware that these songs out there are not okay, that they make people perceive sex incorrectly.

The learning in all this when it comes to parents:

At first I thought it was no big deal about telling our parents that some of our students are singing some crazy songs, but I emailed and called my parents to inform them what we doing. Some were “oh we totally understand what you are trying to do” and a couple of them didn’t agree. However, the parents who didn’t agree were appreciative in informing them of the songs we were doing and really didn’t want for their student to participate in this. I just wish I wouldhave thought about this because 2 of our band students parents asked for them not to participate in these songs. Please know I totally understand their heart in all this, but I think the only thing is, I wished I would have informed my parents BEFORE practice because now I have to re-practice before the weekend.

So NOTE: if you do crazy songs make sure to tell your parents in advance what songs you are doing before practice day.

I know that some of you are wondering what songs they may be, and know we are only doing 1:30 seconds of each of the songs.

50’s Fever (Student)
60’’s Lets Get it on (Staff)
70’s Stay the Night (Student)
80’s Like a Virgin (Staff)
90’s Lets Talk about Sex (me on acoustic and rap)
Today My Humps (Staff)

I am Philipino

Taffy

C.R.U.D.

This past Saturday we were shooting our new Commitments, Requirments, Understandings, and Dress Code  video we call C.R.U.D.

Every student in our HSM/Wildside ministry must go through this hour and half long video before they are allowed to ever step on stage to lead in worship.

We haven’t finished it yet, but here is a sample clip that we will be showing to our students.

If you would like a copy of our C.R.U.D form please email me (note: not the video)

taffy@saddleback.net.  Would love to help out in anyway!!

Taffy

Worship CD’s I am listening to these days:
Hillsong United (With Hearts as One)
Delirious (Kingdom of Comfort)
Kim Walker (Here is my Song)
Brooke Fraser (Albertine)
Future of Forestry (Twilight)
Phil Wickham (Cannons)

Music styles that influence the we arrange and play music:
Paramore
Angels and Airwaves
Muse
Mae

Philipino

Taffy

I want to apologize for my slurring and dizziness on the last podcast.  I showed the podcast to my wife and she said to me that to make sure the next time you shoot a podcast to make sure not to take any of the gout pills.  Here was a picture of an attack on my ankle and explaination of my gout, on my personal blog, if your curious and want a good laugh.

Click Here!!!

I am a Gouted Philipino

Taffy

This one is all about getting ready for summer time.

 

 Episode 3: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1221)

A tutorial on how to use the Capo. Good Playing!

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1080)

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to lead HSM in worship through music. Do you ever have those days when you feel like your “A” game is off? For me it was obvious. Our church is in the middle of 2 different school districts, and one of the school districts had their spring break this past week. So, that meant no practice for us because we had so many kids out of town. Therefore, we had to come in early on Saturday to practice and rehearse. Our first service on the weekend starts at 4:30 and so our down beat time was 12:30. “Why so early?” you might ask; well we needed to learn 2 new songs this band had never played. Our goal is to always be done an hour before service starts, so we can pray together, eat together, talk about the program, and pray together with the HSM student leadership and staff. Well, 2 of my students were 45 minutes late, which threw me off because it was our bass player and drummer. Anyways, we ran practice all the way up to 30 minutes before service started and had to cut practicing a song because we were running too late. And the worst of it all we had to rush dinner. Then, to top it all off, our first service of leading worship, we came up on stage too late because I thought there was a video. I was fumbling through my words while trying to lead people to the Throne, and I forgot to be on stage for a song. Ya that would be my “D” game right there, I would have given myself an “F” but at least I was on stage. Anyways, everything doesn’t go the way you plan, but that is OKAY, because in the long run, and this is so true, but GOD IS IN CONTROL. Because it was a great message, students came to the Throne, and I know students love Jesus more because His presence was there. All that to say, here are our songs for this past weekend:

HSM

We are the Grateful – Tim Timmons

Song of the Broken – Something Like Silas (now Future of Forestry)

Apologize – One Republic (Special – our service was on mending relationships)

From the Inside Out – Hillsong United

Wildside

We Shine – Steve Fee

Infinite – Something Like Silas (Future of Forestry)

Only You – David Crowder

Center – Charlie Hall

I am Phililpino

Worship Well

Taffy