Worship Leader - May, 2007

Edwards offers. His understanding of the intimate relationship between the Bible’s two Testaments is another standout factor that will help any worshiper develop new layers in understanding of God’s story.

The fact that each book comes with a four-song Edwards CD, is really icing on the cake. His soulful tones and melodic piano-driven style are perfect companions to each of the books in the series. Edwards has done a very nice job of making the old, new. He knows the beauty in the rich traditions of faith, and that, combined with an understanding of today’s worshipers, makes for an accessible and multihued journey through the seasons.

WW W.DAVIDMEDWARDS.COM

By Warren Anderson

In an issue devoted to excellence in choral singing, it’s important to recog-

nize that excellence is in the ear of the beholder. In other words, a particular musical offering might represent a relatively simple challenge for one choir, but that same piece would be next to impossible for the choir at the church down the street. Half the battle for most choir directors is simply choosing music that their choirs will be able to sing well, while always challenging them to grow and mature as musicians. Here are three collections that will help choirs in the early stages of development sound great.

READY TO SING: THE HITS
Arr. Russell Mauldin
Brentwood

The Ready to Sing series, featuring over 30 collections, has excellently arranged anthems primarily arranged for two parts, with occasional and optional four-part writing. The Hits contains 12 popular current Christian-radio faves, including

s uch stalwarts as “How G reat Is Our God” (woven together nicely in a medley with “ How Great Thou Art”), “ Voice of Truth,” “ Untitled Hymn” (Come t o Jesus),” and “Who Am I?” Your choir

members will enjoy singing songs that their kids sing along to on the radio, and your kids will enjoy seeing their parents and grandparents do justice to Chris Tomlin and others. For choirs that need a little extra help, consider purchasing the four individual SATB rehearsal track CDs.