Thankful Thursday: Brie

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Good accompanists are rare. Good accompanists who approach youth choir ministry with grace, compassion, kindness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, and a giving heart...well, those are rarer still. All of these qualities and so many more are present in our accompanist, Briana (Bailey) Gresko.

Brie first came to VIP during one of our famous Bring-A-Friend Nights. The following year, when she was just 15 years old, we offered her a job as our accompanist. The rest, as they say, is history. Sort of... see, we had to let Brie go to college, first for a bachelor's degree and then for a Master's. She played for us during breaks and always came on Tour with us. We were fortunate 2 years ago when Brie got a job teaching in Anne Arundel County, and returned to us on a permanent basis.

Brie is my sounding board, my confidante, my colleague, and my dear friend. In rehearsals, she often knows what I'm thinking and what I want to do with a piece of music before I even say it aloud. THAT is pretty amazing - and I'm grateful for it. She is one of the key reasons that VIP succeeds, and she enables this choir to do more than I ever dreamed.

Thanks for all you do, Brie. We are thankful for you!

Thankful Thursday: Brie

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Good accompanists are rare. Good accompanists who approach youth choir ministry with grace, compassion, kindness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, and a giving heart...well, those are rarer still. All of these qualities and so many more are present in our accompanist, Briana (Bailey) Gresko.

Brie first came to VIP during one of our famous Bring-A-Friend Nights. The following year, when she was just 15 years old, we offered her a job as our accompanist. The rest, as they say, is history. Sort of... see, we had to let Brie go to college, first for a bachelor's degree and then for a Master's. She played for us during breaks and always came on Tour with us. We were fortunate 2 years ago when Brie got a job teaching in Anne Arundel County, and returned to us on a permanent basis.

Brie is my sounding board, my confidante, my colleague, and my dear friend. In rehearsals, she often knows what I'm thinking and what I want to do with a piece of music before I even say it aloud. THAT is pretty amazing - and I'm grateful for it. She is one of the key reasons that VIP succeeds, and she enables this choir to do more than I ever dreamed.

Thanks for all you do, Brie. We are thankful for you!

Thankful Thursday: VIP Siblings

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a new Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Ellie, CC

 Today, we are thankful for siblings... specifically VIP siblings. Nearly 25% of our current members have an older brother or sister who was/is a VIP. Sometimes we happily follow our older siblings to VIP. Other times (as is the case for CC and Ellie), we get dragged to that first rehearsal by a demanding older sibling who says "You're doing this!"

It's fun when singers from the same family learn the same music, especially when they learn different parts. Having VIP siblings is pretty fun for all of us. Just this week, Allison discovered that Madeline is Charlie's little sister and said, "Ohhhhhh, it's like a little piece of Charlie is here with us." :-) Indeed.

Here a few pictures of some famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) VIP siblings:

Leanna, Jenna, Tabitha

Dylan, Madison, Kyle

Carmen, Olivia

Lauren, Carly, Jamie

Kerry, Kate

Mary Brooke, Bennett, Blaire

Thankful Thursday: VIP Siblings

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a new Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Ellie, CC

 Today, we are thankful for siblings... specifically VIP siblings. Nearly 25% of our current members have an older brother or sister who was/is a VIP. Sometimes we happily follow our older siblings to VIP. Other times (as is the case for CC and Ellie), we get dragged to that first rehearsal by a demanding older sibling who says "You're doing this!"

It's fun when singers from the same family learn the same music, especially when they learn different parts. Having VIP siblings is pretty fun for all of us. Just this week, Allison discovered that Madeline is Charlie's little sister and said, "Ohhhhhh, it's like a little piece of Charlie is here with us." :-) Indeed.

Here a few pictures of some famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) VIP siblings:

Leanna, Jenna, Tabitha

Dylan, Madison, Kyle

Carmen, Olivia

Lauren, Carly, Jamie

Kerry, Kate

Mary Brooke, Bennett, Blaire

See you at Smithville!

Voices In Praise kicks off the choir year with a performance this Saturday, September 25 at a Festival on the Lawn at Smithville United Methodist Church in Dunkirk, MD. We're part of a stellar line-up that includes many different kinds of music (from bluegrass to praise and worship) and if the weather is as beautiful as it is today, it's going to be a fantastic time to hang out with VIPs and our friends in the community.


Choir members are asked to report to Smithville at 1:45pm on Saturday wearing their purple VIP T, and any shorts, pants, capris, or skirt. We sing at 2:30pm. Here's the musical line-up:

1.) Great Gettin' Up Morning - Chicago Tour Choir + any HS VIPs who want to try it

 2.) Testify to Love - All VIP

3.) Oye - Soloist Kate McGowan, all VIP on the Chorus, Chicago Tour Choir on verses and "layering" section


EVERYONE is invited to this great festival! You're welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, along with a dessert or dish to share at the picnic. There will be a freewill offering to support the Calvert County Food Pantry.

Hope to see you on the lawn at Smithville on Saturday!

See you at Smithville!

Voices In Praise kicks off the choir year with a performance this Saturday, September 25 at a Festival on the Lawn at Smithville United Methodist Church in Dunkirk, MD. We're part of a stellar line-up that includes many different kinds of music (from bluegrass to praise and worship) and if the weather is as beautiful as it is today, it's going to be a fantastic time to hang out with VIPs and our friends in the community.


Choir members are asked to report to Smithville at 1:45pm on Saturday wearing their purple VIP T, and any shorts, pants, capris, or skirt. We sing at 2:30pm. Here's the musical line-up:

1.) Great Gettin' Up Morning - Chicago Tour Choir + any HS VIPs who want to try it

 2.) Testify to Love - All VIP

3.) Oye - Soloist Kate McGowan, all VIP on the Chorus, Chicago Tour Choir on verses and "layering" section


EVERYONE is invited to this great festival! You're welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, along with a dessert or dish to share at the picnic. There will be a freewill offering to support the Calvert County Food Pantry.

Hope to see you on the lawn at Smithville on Saturday!

Thankful Thursdays

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a new Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Today, we are thankful for the ladies of the Class of 2011... for their leadership, joy, service, faith, and unfailing commitment to Voices In Praise. They've worked hard in so many ways to get this choir year off to a good start: meeting to plan for the year, grocery shopping, pre-rally set up, post-rally clean up, greeting, recruiting, supporting, believing. We give thanks for Carmen, Courtney, Elizabeth, Kate and Maegan!

From left to right: Courtney, Maegan, Carmen, Elizabeth, Kate

Thankful Thursdays

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 101: 1)

This post is part of a new Thankful Thursday series - check back every week to see what we're MOST thankful for this week!

Today, we are thankful for the ladies of the Class of 2011... for their leadership, joy, service, faith, and unfailing commitment to Voices In Praise. They've worked hard in so many ways to get this choir year off to a good start: meeting to plan for the year, grocery shopping, pre-rally set up, post-rally clean up, greeting, recruiting, supporting, believing. We give thanks for Carmen, Courtney, Elizabeth, Kate and Maegan!

From left to right: Courtney, Maegan, Carmen, Elizabeth, Kate

VIP Performance at Asbury on 9/18 - CANCELLED

We're sorry to report that our performance scheduled for this Saturday, September 18, at Asbury has been cancelled. Current singers and parents - more info will be coming via email. Fans and friends - please join us Saturday, September 25 at 2:30pm Smithville UMC in Dunkirk!

Thank you, and we're sorry for the belated schedule change.

VIP Performance at Asbury on 9/18 - CANCELLED

We're sorry to report that our performance scheduled for this Saturday, September 18, at Asbury has been cancelled. Current singers and parents - more info will be coming via email. Fans and friends - please join us Saturday, September 25 at 2:30pm Smithville UMC in Dunkirk!

Thank you, and we're sorry for the belated schedule change.

Online Scheduling Election

Hello and thanks for voting in the VIP Scheduling Election! We realize that families work hard to juggle a host of activities and that many VIPs are balancing choir with academics, sports, and other awesome activities. Our goal is to set up a performance schedule that works for as many VIPs as possible-- and we NEED your help to do that!

Please check your calendar and respond to each question below. Parents and VIPs are all able to weigh in -- but we ask that everybody submit only one survey.

There's a "Comments" field so that you can provide further detail and we encourage you to use that field, especially if there's an activity that might affect other VIPs. Don't be afraid to say, "Hey - that's the night of a school play, orchestra concert, or basketweaving expo."

Thanks for your help!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Online Scheduling Election

Hello and thanks for voting in the VIP Scheduling Election! We realize that families work hard to juggle a host of activities and that many VIPs are balancing choir with academics, sports, and other awesome activities. Our goal is to set up a performance schedule that works for as many VIPs as possible-- and we NEED your help to do that!

Please check your calendar and respond to each question below. Parents and VIPs are all able to weigh in -- but we ask that everybody submit only one survey.

There's a "Comments" field so that you can provide further detail and we encourage you to use that field, especially if there's an activity that might affect other VIPs. Don't be afraid to say, "Hey - that's the night of a school play, orchestra concert, or basketweaving expo."

Thanks for your help!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

The Power of One

Every now and again, someone will say to me, "You don't really more singers in VIP, do you?" The group is a great size, it has fantastic balance and blend (if I do say so myself -- haha), and it's a nice mesh of human beings who all pretty much get along. So, do you really need one more?

YES!

Let's talk about the power of one... how about one Alex Barron? Who's Alex Barron you ask? He's a Dallas Cowboys player who, on the last play of the Redskins/Cowboys game last night, made a mistake that helped the Redskins win. You can make the argument that teams win and lose together, that no individual is solely responsible for a game's outcome, and that had either team played just a little bit better, the outcome would have been different. At some level, all of that's true.

But here's the bottom line: one man made a choice, at one specific moment in time, that changed a game, that impacted a season, that just may alter the course of football history or least history for Alex Barron.

Tonight, dozens of young people will make a choice about VIP. They'll either come. Or they won't. But if they do, I know that each and every one of them will have the potential to make a play, change the game, impact the season and alter the course of Voices In Praise and their own lives.

So, you might ask, Well, are you worried that you might get a bunch of Alex Barrons - folks who make poor choices and unwise decisions?

No. Because I place my trust in God's perfect plans for this choir. I trust - fully and completely, and with a dozen years of VIP firmly under my belt - that every person who walks through the door is meant to be there. God's good like that! Through his son, he has moved more mountains, parted more seas, and changed more lives than anyone in the course of history (including Alex Barron).

And so, I place my hope, my trust, my faith, and my love for Voices In Praise into the hands of the most powerful force I know, trusting him when he said:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Power of One

Every now and again, someone will say to me, "You don't really more singers in VIP, do you?" The group is a great size, it has fantastic balance and blend (if I do say so myself -- haha), and it's a nice mesh of human beings who all pretty much get along. So, do you really need one more?

YES!

Let's talk about the power of one... how about one Alex Barron? Who's Alex Barron you ask? He's a Dallas Cowboys player who, on the last play of the Redskins/Cowboys game last night, made a mistake that helped the Redskins win. You can make the argument that teams win and lose together, that no individual is solely responsible for a game's outcome, and that had either team played just a little bit better, the outcome would have been different. At some level, all of that's true.

But here's the bottom line: one man made a choice, at one specific moment in time, that changed a game, that impacted a season, that just may alter the course of football history or least history for Alex Barron.

Tonight, dozens of young people will make a choice about VIP. They'll either come. Or they won't. But if they do, I know that each and every one of them will have the potential to make a play, change the game, impact the season and alter the course of Voices In Praise and their own lives.

So, you might ask, Well, are you worried that you might get a bunch of Alex Barrons - folks who make poor choices and unwise decisions?

No. Because I place my trust in God's perfect plans for this choir. I trust - fully and completely, and with a dozen years of VIP firmly under my belt - that every person who walks through the door is meant to be there. God's good like that! Through his son, he has moved more mountains, parted more seas, and changed more lives than anyone in the course of history (including Alex Barron).

And so, I place my hope, my trust, my faith, and my love for Voices In Praise into the hands of the most powerful force I know, trusting him when he said:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Good Side of Fbook Stalking

The Good Side of Fbook Stalking

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) About VIP

We have just 5 days till VIP kicks off another fantastic year! If you're reading this, you may be a prospective VIP member or maybe you're a parent who's curious about the workings of this special group. Thank you for checking us out! 

We've had a lot of emails over the last few weeks, so I thought I'd compile some of those Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) here:

1.) Who can be in VIP?
Anyone in grades 6-12. You don't have to be a great singer or a church-goer. Most VIPs like to sing and enjoy singing in a group.

2.) How much does it cost to join?
Nothing. Nadda. Zip. Voices In Praise is a program of Friendship United Methodist Church, who generously provides rehearsal space, music, staff salaries, and so much more. We are grateful to the people and leaders of Friendship UMC for all they do!

3.) How often do you rehearse?
Every Monday night. 6:30pm-8pm for students in Middle School. 7pm-8:30pm for students in High School.

4.) What if I can't make all the performances?
Talk to Holly (the director). We do our best to set our schedule with enough notice for singers and families, but hey - schedule conflicts are part of life. We expect singers to do their best to attend performances but if you can't - we ask that you please communicate clearly and as far ahead as possible. If we discover that many singers have a conflict, we may try to move our schedule around.

Concerts are really, really important and we definitely need "all hands on deck!" We will have spent months preparing for it - you won't want to miss it and we won't want to go on without YOU.

5.) Can I join later in the year?
Yes! Our doors are always open and you're welcome at any time.
 
6.) Will I know anyone in VIP?
Probably - and if you don't, it won't be for long! We have about 40 singers from Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. The students attend Northern Middle, Windy Hill Middle, Southern Middle, The Calverton School, Northern High, Huntingtown High, and Southern High.

7.) What kind of music do you do?
We sing lots of different types of songs - from toe-tapping spirituals and upbeat gospel numbers to classical pieces and sweet ballads. We have a good blend of stuff!

8.) I play an instrument. Are there opportunities for me to do that in VIP?
As VIP grows, we're finding that many singers play an instrument. We'd love to feature some of you throughout the year.

9.) Will I be the only new person in VIP?
No way! We have (at last count) 10 confirmed rookies coming to our Rally on Monday. Be #11! 

10.) I'm really nervous/scared about coming to VIP. (Yes, we know it's not a question!)
We get this a lot, especially from younger singers. And here's our best advice - come and try VIP. Give us a shot. We promise to welcome you and to do our best to make you feel at home. If you decide that VIP is not the activity for you - that's a-ok.  We don't want you to stick with VIP if you don't like it! We find that for most people, VIP is a pretty good place to do some singing and have fun, and we'd love the chance to meet you.

If you have more questions, feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at HollyRLee@gmail.com or 301-728-1748.

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) About VIP

We have just 5 days till VIP kicks off another fantastic year! If you're reading this, you may be a prospective VIP member or maybe you're a parent who's curious about the workings of this special group. Thank you for checking us out! 

We've had a lot of emails over the last few weeks, so I thought I'd compile some of those Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) here:

1.) Who can be in VIP?
Anyone in grades 6-12. You don't have to be a great singer or a church-goer. Most VIPs like to sing and enjoy singing in a group.

2.) How much does it cost to join?
Nothing. Nadda. Zip. Voices In Praise is a program of Friendship United Methodist Church, who generously provides rehearsal space, music, staff salaries, and so much more. We are grateful to the people and leaders of Friendship UMC for all they do!

3.) How often do you rehearse?
Every Monday night. 6:30pm-8pm for students in Middle School. 7pm-8:30pm for students in High School.

4.) What if I can't make all the performances?
Talk to Holly (the director). We do our best to set our schedule with enough notice for singers and families, but hey - schedule conflicts are part of life. We expect singers to do their best to attend performances but if you can't - we ask that you please communicate clearly and as far ahead as possible. If we discover that many singers have a conflict, we may try to move our schedule around.

Concerts are really, really important and we definitely need "all hands on deck!" We will have spent months preparing for it - you won't want to miss it and we won't want to go on without YOU.

5.) Can I join later in the year?
Yes! Our doors are always open and you're welcome at any time.
 
6.) Will I know anyone in VIP?
Probably - and if you don't, it won't be for long! We have about 40 singers from Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. The students attend Northern Middle, Windy Hill Middle, Southern Middle, The Calverton School, Northern High, Huntingtown High, and Southern High.

7.) What kind of music do you do?
We sing lots of different types of songs - from toe-tapping spirituals and upbeat gospel numbers to classical pieces and sweet ballads. We have a good blend of stuff!

8.) I play an instrument. Are there opportunities for me to do that in VIP?
As VIP grows, we're finding that many singers play an instrument. We'd love to feature some of you throughout the year.

9.) Will I be the only new person in VIP?
No way! We have (at last count) 10 confirmed rookies coming to our Rally on Monday. Be #11! 

10.) I'm really nervous/scared about coming to VIP. (Yes, we know it's not a question!)
We get this a lot, especially from younger singers. And here's our best advice - come and try VIP. Give us a shot. We promise to welcome you and to do our best to make you feel at home. If you decide that VIP is not the activity for you - that's a-ok.  We don't want you to stick with VIP if you don't like it! We find that for most people, VIP is a pretty good place to do some singing and have fun, and we'd love the chance to meet you.

If you have more questions, feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at HollyRLee@gmail.com or 301-728-1748.

Cereal Challenge -- and a Thank You!

VIP has been roped in invited to participate in a Cereal Challenge this month. It's us and the Children's Choir versus the Sanctuary Choir and Handbells, and the goal is to see who can bring in the most cereal boxes to benefit SCAN -- the South County Assistance Network. This food pantry feeds families in need all year long and we're committed to helping them!

At a recent music committee meeting, there were all sorts of suggestions about how we could raise support for this challenge... we could sing a "cereal song" (who knew that such a thing existed?) or write a script about the challenge. We didn't really decide anything but we had an entertaining time doing all this brainstorming.

Yesterday was the first Sunday of the month, I was delighted to hear that incoming VIP Rookie Josiah represented VIP and urged the Congregation to bring their cereal. Josiah and his brother, Nicholas, (who is in Children's Choir) got up together and started our campaign. I'm sure their Mom (Kristen) had something to do with it (she's cool like that), but I find it really, really awesome that Josiah isn't even a VIP just yet and he's already helping us. If this is any indication about how the Class of 2018 is going to be, VIP is in excellent shape. Thank you, Josiah!

If you'd like to help us win the cereal challenge, please bring a box (or more!) of cereal to church and put it in the marked bins in the Narthex (outside the sanctuary). Make sure you put it in the Children's Choir/VIP bin. :-)

Cereal Challenge -- and a Thank You!

VIP has been roped in invited to participate in a Cereal Challenge this month. It's us and the Children's Choir versus the Sanctuary Choir and Handbells, and the goal is to see who can bring in the most cereal boxes to benefit SCAN -- the South County Assistance Network. This food pantry feeds families in need all year long and we're committed to helping them!

At a recent music committee meeting, there were all sorts of suggestions about how we could raise support for this challenge... we could sing a "cereal song" (who knew that such a thing existed?) or write a script about the challenge. We didn't really decide anything but we had an entertaining time doing all this brainstorming.

Yesterday was the first Sunday of the month, I was delighted to hear that incoming VIP Rookie Josiah represented VIP and urged the Congregation to bring their cereal. Josiah and his brother, Nicholas, (who is in Children's Choir) got up together and started our campaign. I'm sure their Mom (Kristen) had something to do with it (she's cool like that), but I find it really, really awesome that Josiah isn't even a VIP just yet and he's already helping us. If this is any indication about how the Class of 2018 is going to be, VIP is in excellent shape. Thank you, Josiah!

If you'd like to help us win the cereal challenge, please bring a box (or more!) of cereal to church and put it in the marked bins in the Narthex (outside the sanctuary). Make sure you put it in the Children's Choir/VIP bin. :-)