Step into the Choir Room for an insightful exploration into the undeniable power of communal singing and choirs! In this episode, we unpack the significance of choir culture in today's society, addressing the vibrant sense of community that music fosters even in challenging times. With heartfelt anecdotes, co-host Mietta bravely shares her recent health journey and the impact it has had on her, reminding us all of the importance of community and support.
Our discussion also highlights the transformative role of music in educational settings and the need to revive music programs in schools, affirming that singing together creates bonds that withstand life’s trials. We reflect on cherished memories from our own choir experiences, emphasizing that these shared moments not only provide joy but also play a crucial role in maintaining balance between our personal lives and ministry responsibilities.
As we look ahead, we unveil exciting changes coming to the podcast, inviting you to broaden our musical community by sharing your own choir experiences. Join us for this rich dialogue and remember: your story could inspire someone else! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us to keep the choral spirit alive!
Perpetuating and Promoting the Christian and Positive Idea Through the Medium of Music and Other Arts.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Choir Room.
This is episode 41 of the ChoirRoom Podcast.
Welcome to the Choir Room.
I'm Greg Thomas, your host, andI'll soon be joined by my
co-hosts, dorian Johnson Welcometo the Choir Room.
And Mieta Stansil-Farrar.
(00:21):
This podcast exists to promoteand encourage two longtime
traditions in our society thatseem to be dwindling away, and
that is choir and corporatesinging.
We hope to revive theexcitement and joy experienced
with singing in a choir, as wellas inform and educate the
listener on all things singingand all things choir and this
(00:44):
podcast is a production of MetroMusic and Arts, whose purpose
is to perpetuate and promote theChristian and positive idea
through the medium of music andother arts.
If you haven't done so already,we ask that you subscribe to
this podcast.
Wherever you listen to podcasts, share it with a friend and
then leave us your comments, andwe know that many of you are
(01:06):
doing that, because we get youremails and we want to address at
least one of those during thisepisode, as Mietta is joining us
tonight and we will explain whywe've been a little MIA in
posting weekly.
Mietta Stancil-Farrar is with usand she's going to share a
little bit of her story and thejourney she's been on and you're
going to hear more about thatover the next few weeks.
(01:27):
Now do note that, in spite ofthe setbacks and the delays, we
have been working on a weeklybasis in the background.
So note that in the comingweeks you're going to begin to
hear slightly different changesin the format of the podcast,
all still designed to encourageand enlighten our listeners.
But for now, let's go straightto our CRQ, as Mietta is with us
(01:50):
.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Thanks, greg.
Tonight's CRQ question I heardthat Mietta was not doing well.
Is this why all have stoppedposting new episodes of the
podcast?
Shouldn't you guys have toldyour listeners something?
Well, since, since I am me at a, let me first start off by
(02:19):
saying I'm doing okay, I'm doingwell, all is well and I'm here
with you tonight.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I am here and we are.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So I am sorry for not disclosing all things, as I
probably should have, but justknow that all is well, I'm back
at it, life is good, we'recoming along nicely.
So the doing well part, and Iguess I will disclose a little
(02:59):
bit.
Yes, there is some healthchallenges that are occurring at
the moment, but I'm able tofunction and do what I need to
do.
So, but, continue to pray.
If you've been praying for me,continue to pray for me, because
I can feel it.
It's looking better every day,looking better every day, and
please accept our apologies ormy apology, I would say for not
(03:24):
disclosing my absence.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
And we didn't say anything either.
We could have, but I didn'twant to jump in front of your
disclosing, so we wanted you tobe able to say that and we just
went silent.
We just went silent but wedidn't post anything really.
We just went silent.
But we didn't post anythingreally since our last podcast.
So we didn't post anything forpeople to know that you weren't
(03:50):
here.
So they must have gotten thatinformation from somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, they could have Other sources, other sources.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
It's funny because I've thought about it even today
.
I'm like now, where could thathave come from?
And I'm thinking well, I am onsocial media, yeah, and you know
, and I did make, I did make avideo, um, concerning my health
condition, and I did that for adifferent reason so I'm
wondering that perhaps, maybethey saw that, maybe I'm not
(04:19):
sure?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
uh, we did talk about the August concert.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Oh right, august it was August yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
And so I know we mentioned that in the podcast.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
So it could have come from a number of areas.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
It's probably Rhonda, but don't tell her.
I said it.
My sister is out here harassingus.
But no, all is well.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
To the faithful listeners.
All is well, I am doing whatGod is still healing and
bringing me through daily Amen.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Well, we're glad to have you back and we can see
your face.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
We can see you and she looks well To our listeners.
This is not an AI, mietta.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
This is the real deal .
Speaker 1 (05:06):
She is with us and we are glad for it.
But, thanks for the concern andjust know that we will be
getting back on our post withposting a little more regularly
in the coming weeks.
But we need to take that breakand pray with and for our dear
sister.
And then that gave us a breakbecause life was happening with
(05:29):
us as well.
We just got super busy.
And this was around the time,school was just going back into
session, and those of us whohave little people, well, not
little people, not even littlepeople, people at home who are
still in school.
Excuse me, right, right, butthen business and work schedules
, ministry schedules have pickedup, and so we're just trying to
(05:51):
balance all of that other partof life and while at the same
time allow her and our sister toget the care she needs, get the
rest she needs, and we're gladto have you back.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
We're glad to have you.
It's good to be back.
Yeah, it's good to be back.
It's also, I think, that youknow, moments like this kind of
put things in perspective.
I think some people think thatwhen you're in ministry music
ministry, choir ministry theydon't often know how to balance
it, and when things happen.
Things like that happenchallenges.
(06:24):
And it doesn't always have tobe health, it could just be any
type of challenge.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Sure sure.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You have to sometimes take a step back you know, and
reassess some things and kind ofmove a little differently,
especially when it comes to yourfamily.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
And that's something we don't often talk about when
it comes to music ministry.
Yeah, sometimes our family kindof get lost in the sauce
sometimes.
They get put on the altar ofministry.
Yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly,and so this can be a really good
learning tool for anybody whois listening, even now listening
(07:03):
and trying to figure out well,how do I Moving?
forward for anybody who islistening, even now, listening
and trying to figure out well,how do I, what do I do in a
(07:23):
situation where, you know,things come up, how do I balance
?
And I and this is, and I saythis now because this away in 05
, but when she was born, she wasborn with a lot of health
challenges and so we had to kindof figure out how to navigate
that, you know.
And some people would say, well, we kept moving, you know, we
kept doing what God called us todo in terms of ministry all the
way around, both my husband andI together.
(07:46):
We served together, and then wealso served separately, and then
we also had to take care of ourdaughter at the same time.
And so there was.
There had to be a lot ofsacrifices.
Right had a lot to do withreassessing our lives for both
natural and spiritual.
And so I hope that you knowpeople who are in positions like
(08:08):
that understand that yourfamily comes first.
Your family comes first and youhave to make sure that family
is good in order for ministry tobe what it needs to be.
Got to make sure of that.
So I'm off my soapbox.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I think it's a good reminder, though, for all of us
and our listeners that serve inleadership areas of ministry.
We can't afford to think thatit hinges on us, that things
should still be able to continuewithout us If we're sick or if
we're absent for any reason.
The team needs to be able tostep up, but, that's provided
(08:49):
you pour it into the team,you're developing people who can
carry on in your absence and inyour stead, and in some cases,
yeah, there's some things thatwill change or come to a halt
for a season, but certainlythere's a ram in the bush or at
least there should be.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
There's somebody waiting in the wings.
The truth will continue tomarch on.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Well, as Mietta would say to our listeners, you have
received a wealth of informationtonight and she'll disclose
more when she's ready.
But this was a wealth ofinformation tonight and she'll
disclose more when she's ready,but this was a wealth of
information.
Well, we're glad to have youback in the choir room and to
our listeners.
We thank you for your emails,your prayers, your calls, and
(09:34):
we'll be getting back to ourregularly scheduled programming.
Now Dorian has our hymn of theweek.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
Thanks, craig.
This week's hymn of the week.
Thanks Greg.
This week's hymn of the week isLike a River Glorious the last
time we looked at it is wellwhich began when peace, like a
river, attendeth my way.
And this hymn, written byFrancis Havergal, who also wrote
Take my Life and Let it Be,joins two concepts.
(10:04):
One is taken from Psalm 46,which begins this way it says
God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be movedinto the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at
its swelling.
Selah, there is a river whosestreams make glad, the city of
(10:29):
God, the holy habitation of theMost High.
And it starts that way.
And then the chorus reminds usof this verse from Isaiah 26.3,
which says you keep him inperfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on you because he trustsin you.
Verse 1 says like a river,glorious is God's perfect peace
(10:54):
over all, victorious in itsbright increase.
Perfect, yet it floweth fullerevery day.
Perfect, yet it groweth deeperall the way.
Verse 2 speaks of the eternalsecurity of the Christian as we
sing there, hidden in the hollowof his blessed hand.
(11:15):
Never foe can follow, nevertraitor.
Stand, not a surge of worry,not a shade of care, not a blast
of hurry.
Touch the spirit there,reminding us of the great
promise of our Lord and Saviorfrom John 10, verse 28, where he
says I give them eternal lifeand they will never perish, and
(11:36):
no one will snatch them out ofmy hand.
And then he says that no one isable to snatch them out of the
Father's hand either in verse 29.
And then finally, in verse 3,this hymn says Every joy or
trial falleth from above, tracedupon our dial by the Son of
(11:58):
love, and son is actuallyspelled S-U-N.
By the Son of Love, and Son isactually spelled S-U-N.
So as you think of that imageryof God being the Son, and he is
the one who brings trials intoour life and causes us to go
through difficulties.
But then the last part of thatverse says we may trust Him
fully.
All for us to do.
(12:18):
They who trust Him wholly findhim wholly true.
And the chorus says this Stayedupon Jehovah, hearts are fully
blessed, finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.
May we be reminded of the greatpeace that comes from resting
(12:44):
in God, and may we also bereminded of the great
exhortation given to us by theApostle Paul in Philippians,
chapter 4, verses 6 through 7,which says Do not be anxious
about anything, but ineverything, by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known
to God, and the peace of God,which surpasses all
(13:06):
understanding, will guard yourhearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
May you keep your mind stayedupon Jehovah, and may you find
that perfect peace and rest thathe has promised to those who
fully trust in him.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
That first CRQ was for Mietta, so why don't we go
ahead and do the next one?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
Tonight's CRQ.
What happened to the schoolchoir interviews?
Will they be coming soon?
What happened to the schoolchoir interviews?
Will they be coming soon?
I hope so.
What say you, Greg?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Well, this is a CRQ that I obviously need to answer.
We did mention the fact thatwe'd be visiting high schools,
colleges and universities onlast summer, and now you know we
took a break in the summer sothat Mietta could get the
treatment and rest that sheneeded.
That's number one.
And then we were stillrecording over that time that's
(14:26):
number one.
And then we were stillrecording over that time almost
every week and managed to get toa few schools in September and
October, but then by that timethe schools were already
preparing for the Christmasholiday, and so to post those
now would not be great timing.
So you'll hear some more ofthose later this year.
However, we have some excitinginterviews scheduled for this
spring season, the Easter seasonand as the schools start to get
into their spring concerts andend-of-the-year concerts this
(14:49):
year.
So we haven't forsaken it.
We just needed that break sothat we could regroup.
And then note and I'll talkmore about this later that
there's a new work comingthrough Metro Music and Arts,
and in that new work you'regoing to hear segments from the
Choir Room podcast in additionto new segments that we're
working on now that speak to theback end of Christian
performing arts, and that is inthe financial area, the
(15:12):
management area, the developmentarea and other aspects of the
performing arts that I think aregoing to be very educational
and informative for ourlisteners.
So note that we haven'tforsaken the school choir
segment.
We're coming back to that, butwe needed that break in the
middle of the summer of 24.
And that has given birth tosome new things that we're
pretty excited about sharingwith you.
(15:33):
Now, when I heard this CRQ, Iwas reminded of how much fun it
was to be involved in choir inelementary school and in high
school.
Y'all remember that.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
When we were in grammar school I'm sure Greg
remembers this, I don't know ifDorian had it wherever he might
have gone to elementary schoolbut we had something that they
called inner city ensemble yeah,that was something and that
included all of the children ofthe city in their elementary
classes or elementary schoolswhere they could be a part of
(16:06):
choir, and we used to go up tothe I remember in eighth grade
doing this, starting in eighthgrade, having to go up to the
high school To the high school,yeah.
For the rehearsal and we hadkids from all over the city.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
All city band, all city choir.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yeah, all city, all of that stuff.
We lived on the north side oftown of Patterson but there were
kids from the east side ofPatterson that I had no clue as
to who these people were, but weall gathered in this one high
school and we sang.
And even in our own individualelementary schools we had music,
(16:43):
we had music teacher and and wehad that a few times a week and
I'm and now I'm hearing thatthat doesn't exist anymore my
music class was and I came froma good home.
You know good church backgroundand all of that stuff.
But my music class inelementary school in particular
was such a safe place for me andI didn't, and that's where I
(17:06):
learned now you, you sing onyour choirs at churches because
I sang on my junior choir atchurches.
But I had more fun in myelementary school music class
because in that class and I'mstill trying to find this
teacher now and I hope throughthis podcast somebody's finder
for me.
Her name was miss morris, umlittle lady she had.
(17:29):
You know she was a caucasianwoman with this really funny
haircut but.
I don't the haircut used tostress me out but why are you
kidding me?
this was this haircut, but shewas an excellent music teacher
and I don't think she got thecredit she deserved with us.
She bought music that I did notlisten to to our classroom Did
(17:57):
not.
I knew nothing about Broadwaymusic.
I did gospel music.
That's what we did in the house, that's what we did at the
church, that's what we did onthe playground, but when it came
to coming to her class, she gotus into all different types of
music and I was so impressed bythat.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
I was coming home.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Singing happiness is two kinds of ice cream finding
your skate key, telling the time, this is learning to whistle.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Tying your shoe for the very first time I remember
those lyrics she got us intofame.
The whole production and thosewere pretty clean songs Clean
songs I still sing.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I sing the body electric right now.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
I celebrate the me yet to come.
I celebrate the me yet to come.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
I toast to my own reunion.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I toast to my own reunion when I become one With
the sun.
What sun?
One with the sun?
We didn't know.
And funnier, I celebrate Venus.
Right, you celebrate Mars.
Celebrate Mars, you kind oflose your mind.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, right, right, right but that's the kind, but
we had fun doing it.
We didn't mind.
Some of the stuff wasn'tbiblically correct at all.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
No.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
We knew it no not at all, but we did get into high
school and we did learn biggersongs, songs like Challenge,
never Alone, and a host of otherhymns and spirituals that
mentioned the name of God and itwas okay.
Nobody was offended by that.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
What's funny for me, though, thinking about high
school is I went to a morefluent high school, but the
music teacher there would make apoint of including Black
spirituals.
So you'd have these choirs of,like, white kids, asian kids,
one Black kid, indian I mean,but we're up there singing.
(20:10):
I got to crown up into thatkingdom.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Or Ezekiel saw the wheel, I mean yeah, yeah, we can
look back on that yeah, we canlook back on that and really I
appreciate it more.
It's sad that I really did notappreciate it as I should have
then, but now you know you sitback and you're a little older a
(20:39):
little older a little.
This was good stuff and, andunfortunately, the the
generations now, they reallydon't have that.
They don't they?
Just I don't know how, how youcan get it.
I'm not sure, um, but it is,it's a loss all the reason we
have to keep this podcast going.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Yeah, you know, we have to continue to share the
value and the importance and thesignificant benefits of of
singing, playing an instrument,singing in choir, playing with a
band and the value of christianand positive ideas in the
performing arts.
You know, and I was justreminded that my elementary
(21:19):
school music teacher, who taughtus singing and music, was the
son of my high school choralteacher.
I mean, go figure, it was allin the family.
I mean, those were the bestyears, by far the best of the
school years.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
What is that to me?
I will celebrate Nativity, forit has a place in history.
Sure, he came to set his peoplefree.
(22:04):
What is that to me?
To my faith, I met him face toface and I felt the wonder of
his grace.
Then I knew that he was morethan just a God who didn't care.
(22:28):
There lived a way out there.
And Now he walks beside me dayby day, never watching.
No, he lays astray, telling meto find a narrow way.
He's everything to me.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
This is why I say that if you put music back in
the schools, you won't have somany psychologists having to
come in Wow, we've seen thedecline.
It helps with the cerebralhealth.
It really does, because it's aspace in which you can express
and be creative and get some ofwhatever that is going on in
(23:12):
here.
You can release that and peopledon't believe that.
I don't think people reallyunderstand how important those
things are, because they look ata lot of our children.
They just want to play sportsbut not all not every child can
play football, not every childcan play basketball, but there's
a child out there somewherethat loves music.
(23:32):
And if the schools because youspend most of your day in the
schools if the schools are notchallenged to find a way to get
those simple things back in theschool, you might find that, you
know, you might have a littleless of the chaos that you
(23:52):
because, now listen.
I went to an elementary schoolthat was in the hood, because I
lived in the hood, right.
So I went that type of schooland you had all types of
children in there from all typesof backgrounds, but when it
came to the music, that was theone thing we all had in common
and you didn't have a wholebunch of craziness very little,
(24:14):
little drama.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
Very little drama.
There was no drama, not inchoir.
I'm just saying.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Just trying to.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
In choir.
Ultimately we ended up singingsongs that were really prayers
over our own lives.
We just didn't know it, youknow, and we didn't realize it.
But later in life we realized,wow, we were allowed, afforded
the opportunity to sing some ofthese rich hymns and spirituals
and anthems that really spokelife to us and spoke life in us,
(24:49):
and then later we would go tochurch and find some of those
same lyrics and some hymns, andso it was an awesome opportunity
.
But I want to say to thelistener who sent the question
in regarding school choir andthis is for any of our listeners
as we build up to our schoolchoir episodes here in the choir
room, tell us about your schoolchoir experience, whether
(25:11):
that's elementary school, highschool, college, university.
You can email us at thechoir atMetro music dash artscom, or
you can write on our Facebookpage at the choir room.
We just want to know about yourexperiences and if you are
involved in a current program,we want to know who your teacher
or professor is and perhaps wecan have one of them as our
guests here in the choir room.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Now, dorian, I have a question.
Did you, were you ever a partof a any type of singing group
growing up?
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I, I, I sung in choirs and things
like that at church, and even inhigh school I was part of
school choirs, both the concertchoir and a smaller choir as
well.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
So yeah, Now, don't let that short and sweet
response cause you tounderestimate Dorian.
I've got videos of him.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
He's got evidence on everybody.
How do you think he keeps ushere right?
Speaker 4 (26:14):
He does.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Don't underestimate his choir skills.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Blink if you need help.
Blink once, if you need help.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I'm feeling a throwback here where we're going
to have to do a podcast withall of the throwbacks, so people
will understand that we're notjust shooting from the hip with
these ideas.
We have done choir, we've beendoing choir and we continue to
do this in different respects.
Oh yeah, but we do it.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Right, right.
Well, that's true.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
Well, thank you, listener.
You have received again awealth of information tonight.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
More than you asked for Wealth of information More
than you asked for.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Well, I like it.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Now around minute 21, .
You heard a clip from a choir.
I won't tell you who that was,but I'll let you try to figure
it out.
If you think you know, send usan email at
thechoirroomatmetromusic-artscomor on our Facebook page.
Here's another clip from thatschool choir.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Sing each day, each amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
Join me, sisters, amen, amen,amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,
(27:51):
amen, amen.
Can you guys sing?
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,amen, amen, amen, hallelujah.
(28:59):
Amen, let's offer and sing.
Amen, let's offer and sing.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Amen, Amen.
If you haven't done so already,make sure that you subscribe,
share and like this podcast andremember, if ever we put the
messenger before the message, wehave failed to present an
unblemished gospel.
I'm Greg Thomas.
Join us again right here nextweek in the choir room.
Welcome to the Choir Room.
This is episode 41 of the ChoirRoom Podcast.
Welcome to the Choir Room.
I'm Greg Thomas, your host, andI'll soon be joined by my
co-hosts, dorian Johnson Welcometo the Choir Room.
And Mieta Stansil-Farrar.
(00:21):
This podcast exists to promoteand encourage two longtime
traditions in our society thatseem to be dwindling away, and
that is choir and corporatesinging.
We hope to revive theexcitement and joy experienced
with singing in a choir, as wellas inform and educate the
listener on all things singingand all things choir and this
(00:44):
podcast is a production of MetroMusic and Arts, whose purpose
is to perpetuate and promote theChristian and positive idea
through the medium of music andother arts.
If you haven't done so already,we ask that you subscribe to
this podcast.
Wherever you listen to podcasts, share it with a friend and
then leave us your comments, andwe know that many of you are
(01:06):
doing that, because we get youremails and we want to address at
least one of those during thisepisode, as Mietta is joining us
tonight and we will explain whywe've been a little MIA in
posting weekly.
Mietta Stancil-Farrar is with usand she's going to share a
little bit of her story and thejourney she's been on and you're
going to hear more about thatover the next few weeks.
(01:27):
Now do note that, in spite ofthe setbacks and the delays, we
have been working on a weeklybasis in the background.
So note that in the comingweeks you're going to begin to
hear slightly different changesin the format of the podcast,
all still designed to encourageand enlighten our listeners.
But for now, let's go straightto our CRQ, as Mietta is with us
(01:50):
.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Thanks, greg.
Tonight's CRQ question I heardthat Mietta was not doing well.
Is this why all have stoppedposting new episodes of the
podcast?
Shouldn't you guys have toldyour listeners something?
Well, since, since I am me at a, let me first start off by
(02:19):
saying I'm doing okay, I'm doingwell, all is well and I'm here
with you tonight.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I am here and we are.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
So I am sorry for not disclosing all things, as I
probably should have, but justknow that all is well, I'm back
at it, life is good, we'recoming along nicely.
So the doing well part, and Iguess I will disclose a little
(02:59):
bit.
Yes, there is some healthchallenges that are occurring at
the moment, but I'm able tofunction and do what I need to
do.
So, but, continue to pray.
If you've been praying for me,continue to pray for me, because
I can feel it.
It's looking better every day,looking better every day, and
please accept our apologies ormy apology, I would say for not
(03:24):
disclosing my absence.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
And we didn't say anything either.
We could have, but I didn'twant to jump in front of your
disclosing, so we wanted you tobe able to say that and we just
went silent.
We just went silent but wedidn't post anything really.
We just went silent.
But we didn't post anythingreally since our last podcast.
So we didn't post anything forpeople to know that you weren't
(03:50):
here.
So they must have gotten thatinformation from somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, they could have Other sources, other sources.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
It's funny because I've thought about it even today
.
I'm like now, where could thathave come from?
And I'm thinking well, I am onsocial media, yeah, and you know
, and I did make, I did make avideo, um, concerning my health
condition, and I did that for adifferent reason so I'm
wondering that perhaps, maybethey saw that, maybe I'm not
(04:19):
sure?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
uh, we did talk about the August concert.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Oh right, august it was August yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
And so I know we mentioned that in the podcast.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
So it could have come from a number of areas.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
It's probably Rhonda, but don't tell her.
I said it.
My sister is out here harassingus.
But no, all is well.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
To the faithful listeners.
All is well, I am doing whatGod is still healing and
bringing me through daily Amen.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Well, we're glad to have you back and we can see
your face.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
We can see you and she looks well To our listeners.
This is not an AI, mietta.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
This is the real deal .
Speaker 1 (05:06):
She is with us and we are glad for it.
But, thanks for the concern andjust know that we will be
getting back on our post withposting a little more regularly
in the coming weeks.
But we need to take that breakand pray with and for our dear
sister.
And then that gave us a breakbecause life was happening with
(05:29):
us as well.
We just got super busy.
And this was around the time,school was just going back into
session, and those of us whohave little people, well, not
little people, not even littlepeople, people at home who are
still in school.
Excuse me, right, right, butthen business and work schedules
, ministry schedules have pickedup, and so we're just trying to
(05:51):
balance all of that other partof life and while at the same
time allow her and our sister toget the care she needs, get the
rest she needs, and we're gladto have you back.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
We're glad to have you.
It's good to be back.
Yeah, it's good to be back.
It's also, I think, that youknow, moments like this kind of
put things in perspective.
I think some people think thatwhen you're in ministry music
ministry, choir ministry theydon't often know how to balance
it, and when things happen.
Things like that happenchallenges.
(06:24):
And it doesn't always have tobe health, it could just be any
type of challenge.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Sure sure.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
You have to sometimes take a step back you know, and
reassess some things and kind ofmove a little differently,
especially when it comes to yourfamily.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
And that's something we don't often talk about when
it comes to music ministry.
Yeah, sometimes our family kindof get lost in the sauce
sometimes.
They get put on the altar ofministry.
Yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly,and so this can be a really good
learning tool for anybody whois listening, even now listening
(07:03):
and trying to figure out well,how do I Moving?
forward for anybody who islistening, even now, listening
and trying to figure out well,how do I, what do I do in a
(07:23):
situation where, you know,things come up, how do I balance
?
And I and this is, and I saythis now because this away in 05
, but when she was born, she wasborn with a lot of health
challenges and so we had to kindof figure out how to navigate
that, you know.
And some people would say, well, we kept moving, you know, we
kept doing what God called us todo in terms of ministry all the
way around, both my husband andI together.
(07:46):
We served together, and then wealso served separately, and then
we also had to take care of ourdaughter at the same time.
And so there was.
There had to be a lot ofsacrifices.
Right had a lot to do withreassessing our lives for both
natural and spiritual.
And so I hope that you knowpeople who are in positions like
(08:08):
that understand that yourfamily comes first.
Your family comes first and youhave to make sure that family
is good in order for ministry tobe what it needs to be.
Got to make sure of that.
So I'm off my soapbox.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I think it's a good reminder, though, for all of us
and our listeners that serve inleadership areas of ministry.
We can't afford to think thatit hinges on us, that things
should still be able to continuewithout us If we're sick or if
we're absent for any reason.
The team needs to be able tostep up, but, that's provided
(08:49):
you pour it into the team,you're developing people who can
carry on in your absence and inyour stead, and in some cases,
yeah, there's some things thatwill change or come to a halt
for a season, but certainlythere's a ram in the bush or at
least there should be.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
There's somebody waiting in the wings.
The truth will continue tomarch on.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Well, as Mietta would say to our listeners, you have
received a wealth of informationtonight and she'll disclose
more when she's ready.
But this was a wealth ofinformation tonight and she'll
disclose more when she's ready,but this was a wealth of
information.
Well, we're glad to have youback in the choir room and to
our listeners.
We thank you for your emails,your prayers, your calls, and
(09:34):
we'll be getting back to ourregularly scheduled programming.
Now Dorian has our hymn of theweek.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
Thanks, craig.
This week's hymn of the week.
Thanks Greg.
This week's hymn of the week isLike a River Glorious the last
time we looked at it is wellwhich began when peace, like a
river, attendeth my way.
And this hymn, written byFrancis Havergal, who also wrote
Take my Life and Let it Be,joins two concepts.
(10:04):
One is taken from Psalm 46,which begins this way it says
God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be movedinto the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at
its swelling.
Selah, there is a river whosestreams make glad, the city of
(10:29):
God, the holy habitation of theMost High.
And it starts that way.
And then the chorus reminds usof this verse from Isaiah 26.3,
which says you keep him inperfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on you because he trustsin you.
Verse 1 says like a river,glorious is God's perfect peace
(10:54):
over all, victorious in itsbright increase.
Perfect, yet it floweth fullerevery day.
Perfect, yet it groweth deeperall the way.
Verse 2 speaks of the eternalsecurity of the Christian as we
sing there, hidden in the hollowof his blessed hand.
(11:15):
Never foe can follow, nevertraitor.
Stand, not a surge of worry,not a shade of care, not a blast
of hurry.
Touch the spirit there,reminding us of the great
promise of our Lord and Saviorfrom John 10, verse 28, where he
says I give them eternal lifeand they will never perish, and
(11:36):
no one will snatch them out ofmy hand.
And then he says that no one isable to snatch them out of the
Father's hand either in verse 29.
And then finally, in verse 3,this hymn says Every joy or
trial falleth from above, tracedupon our dial by the Son of
(11:58):
love, and son is actuallyspelled S-U-N.
By the Son of Love, and Son isactually spelled S-U-N.
So as you think of that imageryof God being the Son, and he is
the one who brings trials intoour life and causes us to go
through difficulties.
But then the last part of thatverse says we may trust Him
fully.
All for us to do.
(12:18):
They who trust Him wholly findhim wholly true.
And the chorus says this Stayedupon Jehovah, hearts are fully
blessed, finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.
May we be reminded of the greatpeace that comes from resting
(12:44):
in God, and may we also bereminded of the great
exhortation given to us by theApostle Paul in Philippians,
chapter 4, verses 6 through 7,which says Do not be anxious
about anything, but ineverything, by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known
to God, and the peace of God,which surpasses all
(13:06):
understanding, will guard yourhearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
May you keep your mind stayedupon Jehovah, and may you find
that perfect peace and rest thathe has promised to those who
fully trust in him.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
That first CRQ was for Mietta, so why don't we go
ahead and do the next one?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
Tonight's CRQ.
What happened to the schoolchoir interviews?
Will they be coming soon?
What happened to the schoolchoir interviews?
Will they be coming soon?
I hope so.
What say you, Greg?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Well, this is a CRQ that I obviously need to answer.
We did mention the fact thatwe'd be visiting high schools,
colleges and universities onlast summer, and now you know we
took a break in the summer sothat Mietta could get the
treatment and rest that sheneeded.
That's number one.
And then we were stillrecording over that time that's
(14:26):
number one.
And then we were stillrecording over that time almost
every week and managed to get toa few schools in September and
October, but then by that timethe schools were already
preparing for the Christmasholiday, and so to post those
now would not be great timing.
So you'll hear some more ofthose later this year.
However, we have some excitinginterviews scheduled for this
spring season, the Easter seasonand as the schools start to get
into their spring concerts andend-of-the-year concerts this
(14:49):
year.
So we haven't forsaken it.
We just needed that break sothat we could regroup.
And then note and I'll talkmore about this later that
there's a new work comingthrough Metro Music and Arts,
and in that new work you'regoing to hear segments from the
Choir Room podcast in additionto new segments that we're
working on now that speak to theback end of Christian
performing arts, and that is inthe financial area, the
(15:12):
management area, the developmentarea and other aspects of the
performing arts that I think aregoing to be very educational
and informative for ourlisteners.
So note that we haven'tforsaken the school choir
segment.
We're coming back to that, butwe needed that break in the
middle of the summer of 24.
And that has given birth tosome new things that we're
pretty excited about sharingwith you.
(15:33):
Now, when I heard this CRQ, Iwas reminded of how much fun it
was to be involved in choir inelementary school and in high
school.
Y'all remember that.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
When we were in grammar school I'm sure Greg
remembers this, I don't know ifDorian had it wherever he might
have gone to elementary schoolbut we had something that they
called inner city ensemble yeah,that was something and that
included all of the children ofthe city in their elementary
classes or elementary schoolswhere they could be a part of
(16:06):
choir, and we used to go up tothe I remember in eighth grade
doing this, starting in eighthgrade, having to go up to the
high school To the high school,yeah.
For the rehearsal and we hadkids from all over the city.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
All city band, all city choir.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Yeah, all city, all of that stuff.
We lived on the north side oftown of Patterson but there were
kids from the east side ofPatterson that I had no clue as
to who these people were, but weall gathered in this one high
school and we sang.
And even in our own individualelementary schools we had music,
(16:43):
we had music teacher and and wehad that a few times a week and
I'm and now I'm hearing thatthat doesn't exist anymore my
music class was and I came froma good home.
You know good church backgroundand all of that stuff.
But my music class inelementary school in particular
was such a safe place for me andI didn't, and that's where I
(17:06):
learned now you, you sing onyour choirs at churches because
I sang on my junior choir atchurches.
But I had more fun in myelementary school music class
because in that class and I'mstill trying to find this
teacher now and I hope throughthis podcast somebody's finder
for me.
Her name was miss morris, umlittle lady she had.
(17:29):
You know she was a caucasianwoman with this really funny
haircut but.
I don't the haircut used tostress me out but why are you
kidding me?
this was this haircut, but shewas an excellent music teacher
and I don't think she got thecredit she deserved with us.
She bought music that I did notlisten to to our classroom Did
(17:57):
not.
I knew nothing about Broadwaymusic.
I did gospel music.
That's what we did in the house, that's what we did at the
church, that's what we did onthe playground, but when it came
to coming to her class, she gotus into all different types of
music and I was so impressed bythat.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
I was coming home.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Singing happiness is two kinds of ice cream finding
your skate key, telling the time, this is learning to whistle.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Tying your shoe for the very first time I remember
those lyrics she got us intofame.
The whole production and thosewere pretty clean songs Clean
songs I still sing.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I sing the body electric right now.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
I celebrate the me yet to come.
I celebrate the me yet to come.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
I toast to my own reunion.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I toast to my own reunion when I become one With
the sun.
What sun?
One with the sun?
We didn't know.
And funnier, I celebrate Venus.
Right, you celebrate Mars.
Celebrate Mars, you kind oflose your mind.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah, right, right, right but that's the kind, but
we had fun doing it.
We didn't mind.
Some of the stuff wasn'tbiblically correct at all.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
No.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
We knew it no not at all, but we did get into high
school and we did learn biggersongs, songs like Challenge,
never Alone, and a host of otherhymns and spirituals that
mentioned the name of God and itwas okay.
Nobody was offended by that.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
What's funny for me, though, thinking about high
school is I went to a morefluent high school, but the
music teacher there would make apoint of including Black
spirituals.
So you'd have these choirs of,like, white kids, asian kids,
one Black kid, indian I mean,but we're up there singing.
(20:10):
I got to crown up into thatkingdom.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Or Ezekiel saw the wheel, I mean yeah, yeah, we can
look back on that yeah, we canlook back on that and really I
appreciate it more.
It's sad that I really did notappreciate it as I should have
then, but now you know you sitback and you're a little older a
(20:39):
little older a little.
This was good stuff and, andunfortunately, the the
generations now, they reallydon't have that.
They don't they?
Just I don't know how, how youcan get it.
I'm not sure, um, but it is,it's a loss all the reason we
have to keep this podcast going.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Yeah, you know, we have to continue to share the
value and the importance and thesignificant benefits of of
singing, playing an instrument,singing in choir, playing with a
band and the value of christianand positive ideas in the
performing arts.
You know, and I was justreminded that my elementary
(21:19):
school music teacher, who taughtus singing and music, was the
son of my high school choralteacher.
I mean, go figure, it was allin the family.
I mean, those were the bestyears, by far the best of the
school years.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
What is that to me?
I will celebrate Nativity, forit has a place in history.
Sure, he came to set his peoplefree.
(22:04):
What is that to me?
To my faith, I met him face toface and I felt the wonder of
his grace.
Then I knew that he was morethan just a God who didn't care.
(22:28):
There lived a way out there.
And Now he walks beside me dayby day, never watching.
No, he lays astray, telling meto find a narrow way.
He's everything to me.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
This is why I say that if you put music back in
the schools, you won't have somany psychologists having to
come in Wow, we've seen thedecline.
It helps with the cerebralhealth.
It really does, because it's aspace in which you can express
and be creative and get some ofwhatever that is going on in
(23:12):
here.
You can release that and peopledon't believe that.
I don't think people reallyunderstand how important those
things are, because they look ata lot of our children.
They just want to play sportsbut not all not every child can
play football, not every childcan play basketball, but there's
a child out there somewherethat loves music.
(23:32):
And if the schools because youspend most of your day in the
schools if the schools are notchallenged to find a way to get
those simple things back in theschool, you might find that, you
know, you might have a littleless of the chaos that you
(23:52):
because, now listen.
I went to an elementary schoolthat was in the hood, because I
lived in the hood, right.
So I went that type of schooland you had all types of
children in there from all typesof backgrounds, but when it
came to the music, that was theone thing we all had in common
and you didn't have a wholebunch of craziness very little,
(24:14):
little drama.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
Very little drama.
There was no drama, not inchoir.
I'm just saying.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Just trying to.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
In choir.
Ultimately we ended up singingsongs that were really prayers
over our own lives.
We just didn't know it, youknow, and we didn't realize it.
But later in life we realized,wow, we were allowed, afforded
the opportunity to sing some ofthese rich hymns and spirituals
and anthems that really spokelife to us and spoke life in us,
(24:49):
and then later we would go tochurch and find some of those
same lyrics and some hymns, andso it was an awesome opportunity
.
But I want to say to thelistener who sent the question
in regarding school choir andthis is for any of our listeners
as we build up to our schoolchoir episodes here in the choir
room, tell us about your schoolchoir experience, whether
(25:11):
that's elementary school, highschool, college, university.
You can email us at thechoir atMetro music dash artscom, or
you can write on our Facebookpage at the choir room.
We just want to know about yourexperiences and if you are
involved in a current program,we want to know who your teacher
or professor is and perhaps wecan have one of them as our
guests here in the choir room.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Now, dorian, I have a question.
Did you, were you ever a partof a any type of singing group
growing up?
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I, I, I sung in choirs and things
like that at church, and even inhigh school I was part of
school choirs, both the concertchoir and a smaller choir as
well.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
So yeah, Now, don't let that short and sweet
response cause you tounderestimate Dorian.
I've got videos of him.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
He's got evidence on everybody.
How do you think he keeps ushere right?
Speaker 4 (26:14):
He does.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Don't underestimate his choir skills.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Blink if you need help.
Blink once, if you need help.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I'm feeling a throwback here where we're going
to have to do a podcast withall of the throwbacks, so people
will understand that we're notjust shooting from the hip with
these ideas.
We have done choir, we've beendoing choir and we continue to
do this in different respects.
Oh yeah, but we do it.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Right, right.
Well, that's true.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
Well, thank you, listener.
You have received again awealth of information tonight.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
More than you asked for Wealth of information More
than you asked for.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Well, I like it.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Now around minute 21, .
You heard a clip from a choir.
I won't tell you who that was,but I'll let you try to figure
it out.
If you think you know, send usan email at
thechoirroomatmetromusic-artscomor on our Facebook page.
Here's another clip from thatschool choir.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Sing each day, each amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
Join me, sisters, amen, amen,amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,
(27:51):
amen, amen.
Can you guys sing?
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,amen, amen, amen, hallelujah.
(28:59):
Amen, let's offer and sing.
Amen, let's offer and sing.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Amen, Amen.
If you haven't done so already,make sure that you subscribe,
share and like this podcast andremember, if ever we put the
messenger before the message, wehave failed to present an
unblemished gospel.
I'm Greg Thomas.
Join us again right here nextweek in the choir room.
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