Comments on: What influenced you in learning how to sing? http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/ Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:17:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Anne Silkman http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1425 Anne Silkman Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:52:04 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1425 My mom, definitely! A beautiful alto, she could sing all four parts, and did while she made biscuits, washed dishes, got ready for school. Verse 1=soprano, verse 2=alto, verse 3=tenor, verse 4=bass. For songs that did not have 4 verses, she simply started other. She and her 3 sisters had a quartet when they were young, and they all had multiple copies of hymnals which were usually dragged out within the first half hour of our visits. I learned the words and harmonies to song that probably haven't been sung since the 60's. (And I'd love to find "It's an Unfriendly World.") Our congregation was small and not particularly musical, but when I got to college and heard all those voices singing beautiful harmonies, wow! I majored in music and now teach piano and voice, both in singing workshops with Wiley Dean, and to private pupils. I have found that most people can sing much better than they think they can, if only they are shown how and encouraged to let their voices out of their bodies. What a joy it is to see someone's face light up when s/he first hears the voice s/he has been holding back, in case someone else should hear! I know that God is a heart judge, not a music jury, but how pleased He must be to hear when we learn to use what He gave us! My mom, definitely! A beautiful alto, she could sing all four parts, and did while she made biscuits, washed dishes, got ready for school. Verse 1=soprano, verse 2=alto, verse 3=tenor, verse 4=bass. For songs that did not have 4 verses, she simply started other. She and her 3 sisters had a quartet when they were young, and they all had multiple copies of hymnals which were usually dragged out within the first half hour of our visits. I learned the words and harmonies to song that probably haven’t been sung since the 60′s. (And I’d love to find “It’s an Unfriendly World.”) Our congregation was small and not particularly musical, but when I got to college and heard all those voices singing beautiful harmonies, wow! I majored in music and now teach piano and voice, both in singing workshops with Wiley Dean, and to private pupils. I have found that most people can sing much better than they think they can, if only they are shown how and encouraged to let their voices out of their bodies. What a joy it is to see someone’s face light up when s/he first hears the voice s/he has been holding back, in case someone else should hear! I know that God is a heart judge, not a music jury, but how pleased He must be to hear when we learn to use what He gave us!

]]> By: Johnny Warren http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1362 Johnny Warren Tue, 11 May 2010 20:21:39 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1362 Church was no doubt my single biggest influence. The addition of playing in band throughout school brought it all together for me, in terms of theory. Some of my best memories of learning to sing and lead worship came from two summer trips from Colville, Washington to Peach Valley, Texas when I was 13 and 14, to listen and learn from Holland Boring Jr and Sr at the Foundation School of Music. Church was no doubt my single biggest influence. The addition of playing in band throughout school brought it all together for me, in terms of theory. Some of my best memories of learning to sing and lead worship came from two summer trips from Colville, Washington to Peach Valley, Texas when I was 13 and 14, to listen and learn from Holland Boring Jr and Sr at the Foundation School of Music.

]]> By: Scott Raab http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1351 Scott Raab Sat, 08 May 2010 10:00:40 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1351 I grew up in the Catholic church and still remember people in the aisles around us turning and looking strangely at where my family stood. My father would always find a tenor harmony, my mother the alto, and the kids would sing soprano (4 of us at the time). My dad sang in barbershop, where I learned some of my music and furthered my love for harmony. School chorus gave me opportunities later, but it was when I gave my life to Christ and started singing with brothers and sisters that all that harmony poured out of my heart and made sense. I try to get members in the Netherlands to sing in the Spirit AND learn some basics. As one of the previous comments mentioned, our singing time (first Wednesday of the month) is a time of fun, fellowship and learning that is intergenerational (and in our case also multicultural). I would be interested in some good ways to teach the basics to people who have never heard or sung harmony. I love the idea of the ladies on either side, but you have to have at leasttwo ladies. Have any of you started out with nothing? How did you handle that? Above all, harmony, seeing and hearing brothers and sisters singing with their hearts (and them realizing that they are SINGING) is such a joy! Thanks for a legacy of harmony. I grew up in the Catholic church and still remember people in the aisles around us turning and looking strangely at where my family stood. My father would always find a tenor harmony, my mother the alto, and the kids would sing soprano (4 of us at the time). My dad sang in barbershop, where I learned some of my music and furthered my love for harmony. School chorus gave me opportunities later, but it was when I gave my life to Christ and started singing with brothers and sisters that all that harmony poured out of my heart and made sense.
I try to get members in the Netherlands to sing in the Spirit AND learn some basics. As one of the previous comments mentioned, our singing time (first Wednesday of the month) is a time of fun, fellowship and learning that is intergenerational (and in our case also multicultural). I would be interested in some good ways to teach the basics to people who have never heard or sung harmony. I love the idea of the ladies on either side, but you have to have at leasttwo ladies. Have any of you started out with nothing? How did you handle that?
Above all, harmony, seeing and hearing brothers and sisters singing with their hearts (and them realizing that they are SINGING) is such a joy! Thanks for a legacy of harmony.

]]> By: Mr. Burr http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1309 Mr. Burr Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:57:48 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1309 Keith I think it would be very enjoyable and beneficial to attend one of your workshops. As I've followed your career, and seen you in person, your compassion for people and passion for music is very obvious. Keith I think it would be very enjoyable and beneficial to attend one of your workshops. As I’ve followed your career, and seen you in person, your compassion for people and passion for music is very obvious.

]]> By: Mr. Burr http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1305 Mr. Burr Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:45:41 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1305 I kept on loving music in spite of Ralph Casey back in the early 70s and his "singing emphasis" workshop. He belittled a 12 year old boy multiple times while "teaching" him how to lead singing. Of course that was more in the day of ramming teaching of any type down peoples' throats, without compassion. But to this day I have not led singing since that day. Thanks Ralph. You're a real prince. I kept on loving music in spite of Ralph Casey back in the early 70s and his “singing emphasis” workshop. He belittled a 12 year old boy multiple times while “teaching” him how to lead singing. Of course that was more in the day of ramming teaching of any type down peoples’ throats, without compassion. But to this day I have not led singing since that day. Thanks Ralph. You’re a real prince.

]]> By: Keith http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1230 Keith Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:35:03 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1230 My experience with Ralph Casey was very positive, as he was effective in working with the entire congregation -- even introducing music fundamentals to non-musicians, which is one of the objectives of my workshops. My experience with Ralph Casey was very positive, as he was effective in working with the entire congregation — even introducing music fundamentals to non-musicians, which is one of the objectives of my workshops.

]]> By: Mr. Burr http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-1225 Mr. Burr Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:56:32 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-1225 It sure as heck wasn't Ralph Casey. He did more damage to me when at 12 years of age I endured his harsh criticism when trying to learn how to lead singing in worship which, I remember well, started before I even said a word in front of the people. He criticized the way I held my hand, the way I announced the hymn number, the way I stood and the way I sang. I was so embarrassed and humiliated I have never led singing again. In my opinion Ralph Casey was a blow-hard, self-serving, charlatan, and should be kept away from training young boys how to lead. I have a Yorky who could teach better music than Ralphy. It sure as heck wasn’t Ralph Casey. He did more damage to me when at 12 years of age I endured his harsh criticism when trying to learn how to lead singing in worship which, I remember well, started before I even said a word in front of the people. He criticized the way I held my hand, the way I announced the hymn number, the way I stood and the way I sang. I was so embarrassed and humiliated I have never led singing again. In my opinion Ralph Casey was a blow-hard, self-serving, charlatan, and should be kept away from training young boys how to lead. I have a Yorky who could teach better music than Ralphy.

]]> By: Jim Gordey http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-982 Jim Gordey Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:38:31 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-982 My Grandfather taught music all of his life, most was church music. In his later years his voice was not strong. He had quit playing the piano. But just before he died. He sat at the piano and played the "City of David" singing to the top of his lungs. Not a note missed. A great inspiration. Unfortunately for me I am losing my hearing and music does not hold the magic that it did. It has become one big flat note. But God hears me! I sang opera for several years and played in the OKC Symphony but all that is gone. I try any time I can to encourage the young to keep it up. My Grandfather taught music all of his life, most was church music. In his later years his voice was not strong. He had quit playing the piano. But just before he died. He sat at the piano and played the “City of David” singing to the top of his lungs. Not a note missed. A great inspiration. Unfortunately for me I am losing my hearing and music does not hold the magic that it did. It has become one big flat note. But God hears me! I sang opera for several years and played in the OKC Symphony but all that is gone. I try any time I can to encourage the young to keep it up.

]]> By: Jason http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-883 Jason Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:48:11 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-883 I loved singing as a kid at school. But I never really sang much at all until I became a Christian. I still love to listen to Ray Walker sing and use him to teach myself. Its great when one sings to hear your voice blend with everyone else. I think to many don't see singing as important as the sermon. Though we honor God in giving a sermon and learning in class, singing is worship. Literally, to sacrifice the feelings of our heart to God. Happy or hurting, I always enjoy engaging in worship more than listening to a sermon. Though both have there place. And I think singing is a much under rated tool for evangelism. It is one thing to sit and listen to a CD, it is an entirely different experience to join in with the congregation in the unity of song. And I am the only Christian in my family, so singing is important to me to for that reason. Its the one activity in worship where I do not have to sit quietly and be lead, but can engage and be active with the whole body at the same time. Thats something I can't do at home, being a single Christian. I loved singing as a kid at school. But I never really sang much at all until I became a Christian. I still love to listen to Ray Walker sing and use him to teach myself. Its great when one sings to hear your voice blend with everyone else.

I think to many don’t see singing as important as the sermon. Though we honor God in giving a sermon and learning in class, singing is worship. Literally, to sacrifice the feelings of our heart to God. Happy or hurting, I always enjoy engaging in worship more than listening to a sermon. Though both have there place.

And I think singing is a much under rated tool for evangelism. It is one thing to sit and listen to a CD, it is an entirely different experience to join in with the congregation in the unity of song.

And I am the only Christian in my family, so singing is important to me to for that reason. Its the one activity in worship where I do not have to sit quietly and be lead, but can engage and be active with the whole body at the same time. Thats something I can’t do at home, being a single Christian.

]]> By: Tim F. http://keithlancaster.com/2009/09/what-influenced-you-the-most-in-learning-how-to-sing/comment-page-1/#comment-863 Tim F. Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:27:45 +0000 http://keithlancaster.com/?p=251#comment-863 When my voice started to deepen, I lost a lot of my interest in singing. My mother tried to influence by playing Statler Brothers or Oak Ridge Boys; however, being a fan of Petra and KISS (never figured out how I liked those two at the same time), I would tune out her country meddlings, lol. Around 85 or so, my grandfather pointed out that Elvis had some depth in his voice, as well as some of the great music of Motown. Then in 86, I started attending service at the Piketon (OH) Church of Christ. Talk about an awakening. I was hearing the power of the voice for truly the first time. I remember hearing the high soprano of Billie Horn. I thought to myself that I wanted to be able to at least sound acceptable with her beautiful voice. She may have been one of the elder ladies in the congregation, but her voice transcended the generations for me. From there, I would go on to meet Rodney and Wes and learn some bass "secrets" that I still remember. But most of all, I can still hear Billie singing with all of heart and making a joyful noise unto the lord (and a young 16 year old's ear). When my voice started to deepen, I lost a lot of my interest in singing. My mother tried to influence by playing Statler Brothers or Oak Ridge Boys; however, being a fan of Petra and KISS (never figured out how I liked those two at the same time), I would tune out her country meddlings, lol. Around 85 or so, my grandfather pointed out that Elvis had some depth in his voice, as well as some of the great music of Motown. Then in 86, I started attending service at the Piketon (OH) Church of Christ. Talk about an awakening. I was hearing the power of the voice for truly the first time. I remember hearing the high soprano of Billie Horn. I thought to myself that I wanted to be able to at least sound acceptable with her beautiful voice. She may have been one of the elder ladies in the congregation, but her voice transcended the generations for me. From there, I would go on to meet Rodney and Wes and learn some bass “secrets” that I still remember. But most of all, I can still hear Billie singing with all of heart and making a joyful noise unto the lord (and a young 16 year old’s ear).

]]>