Keith Lancaster http://keithlancaster.com An Acappella Musicianary Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:54:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Early Roots of ACAPPELLA http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/early-roots-of-acappella/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/early-roots-of-acappella/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:23:29 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5341 In March of 1982, I set out on a quest to form a full-time a cappella singing ministry. While attending the ISWW in Tulsa, OK., I ran into former college mates, Randy Hatchett (whom we’d known at Freed-Hardeman) and Gary Yeager (Williamstown Bible College.) They were to become the first vocalists to join me in this spiritual quest.

Later that year, we launched our first tour, even though we had not secured the bass vocalist that we desperately sought.  Without the fourth vocalist (aren’t there supposed to be four in a quartet?), we decided against delaying that very important and extensive debut tour and set out as an a cappella trio. This proved to be very challenging, as all our arrangements were geared to four or five vocalists.

Our first concert was held in Hamilton, Ohio. I also recall singing for my brother-in-law and sister’s congregation in Indiana on that very first trip. Our itinerary included singing for a church in Alliance, Ohio, where our friends, Gary and Debbie Miller were ministering at the time.

This video was taped in Cambridge, Ohio, during a live television broadcast hosted by evangelist, Abe Miller.  We opened for a Passion Play while in that area.

People tell me that Acappella has changed over the decades. Do you really think so? (Who hasn’t changed in several decades?) What happened to the large-framed glasses?  And what’s up with the ties?  Check out this video from decades past here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_VH_6RcK0I

 

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/early-roots-of-acappella/feed/ 1 Singing and Worship: Let Everyone be the Choir! http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/singing-and-worship-let-everyone-be-the-choir/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/singing-and-worship-let-everyone-be-the-choir/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:01:18 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5330 I’m convinced that a cappella congregational singing is the best approach for this reason: It only works well when everyone is involved. Considering how the overwhelming success of movies, sports and music has created a culture of spectators, it’s no surprise that many Christians have begun to approach Sunday mornings in the same way – - as passive observers. However, worship is not a spectator activity.

How wonderful it would be if church leaders would trade their emphasis of polished presentations for a compelling call to mobilize every disciple into meaningful service and worship. Equipping the priesthood of believers to become actively engaged requires an emphasis upon education. Worship training is no exception.

There is no greater joy than witnessing this type of transformation, as we regularly experience through the Praise & Harmony Workshops. Our goal is to equip the entire church to be “the choir,” celebrating the fact that everyone’s voice is important.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/singing-and-worship-let-everyone-be-the-choir/feed/ 3 New Single Download of the Month – The Lancasters http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/new-single-download-of-the-month-the-lancasters/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/new-single-download-of-the-month-the-lancasters/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:13:51 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5322 This month’s single download from The Acappella Company features The Lancasters.  Download  “He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word,”  here: http://theacappellacompany.com/lancasters.html

Engineered by Melissa Lancaster – This Derric Johnson arrangement features Sharon Lancaster on soprano.

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/new-single-download-of-the-month-the-lancasters/feed/ 0 Bringing Praise & Harmony to Your Church http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/bringing-praise-harmony-to-your-church/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/bringing-praise-harmony-to-your-church/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:13:41 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5318 Bring Praise & Harmony to your church in 2013 – We’re now booking congregational singing workshops for 2013 and beyond. Would you like to mobilize your entire church to participate in worship? How about training non-musicians how to sing harmony for the first time? Are your song leaders in need of inspiration and training?

Contact Bill@Acappella.com about hosting a Praise & Harmony Workshop at your home church. Talk to others who have and learn about the long-term, practical benefits.

Photo by Kevin Bradfield – This shot was taken at a Praise & Harmony Workshop in Martinez, California last weekend. The Martinez Church has already booked a follow-up Workshop for 2013.  The focus of the workshop is to provide long term improvements in singing and worship.

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/02/bringing-praise-harmony-to-your-church/feed/ 0 An Audacious Ride http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/an-audacious-ride/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/an-audacious-ride/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:27:31 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5313 Do you think this would be a colorful way for us to travel the country?  Welcome to San Francisco.

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/an-audacious-ride/feed/ 0 Taking Worship Seriously in Martinez http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/taking-worship-seriously-in-martinez/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/taking-worship-seriously-in-martinez/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:16:16 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5309 Martinez is definitely serious about worship. We enjoyed a wonderful Praise & Harmony weekend, hosted by this vibrant congregation. Normally, during the course of my workshops, I am lamenting the fact that most churches fail to invest in their song leaders (worship leaders) and place worship renewal as a very low priority. The Martinez Church sponsored nine of their song leaders for training last year and are continuing this notable trend. What a great example for other churches to follow!

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/taking-worship-seriously-in-martinez/feed/ 0 My City by the Bay http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-city-by-the-bay/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-city-by-the-bay/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:43:32 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5305 “I wanna get to my city by the bay . . .” This single frame shot was edited with Topaz to provide the final effect. We love to visit San Francisco. Be watching my Google+ page for more pictures in the future.  https://plus.google.com/114263492889228784076/posts

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-city-by-the-bay/feed/ 0 Acappella On-Line Radio http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/acappella-on-line-radio/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/acappella-on-line-radio/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:52:34 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5299 Listening to songs I haven’t heard in a long time on Acappella Online Radio is like visiting with old friends; it’s great to become reacquainted with those classic Vocal Union, Acappella, AVB tunes along with the most recent releases.  Listen to our on-line radio here

http://www.acappella.org/radio.html

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/acappella-on-line-radio/feed/ 0 My Photos on Google+ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-photos-on-google/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-photos-on-google/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:39:27 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5294 Every day, I post photos that I’ve taken around the world on Google+.  Go to this link to see the daily photos: https://plus.google.com/114263492889228784076/posts

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/my-photos-on-google/feed/ 0 A Busy Day in Lubbock http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/a-busy-day-in-lubbock/ http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/a-busy-day-in-lubbock/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:20:11 +0000 Keith http://keithlancaster.com/?p=5283 I’m blessed to lead worship before Jim McGuiggan preaches again this morning at Sunset in Lubbock. This afternoon, I lead worship for the “Velocity” student rally. A busy day!

]]> http://keithlancaster.com/2012/01/a-busy-day-in-lubbock/feed/ 0