Voices In Praise

Madrigal Dinner

2011-12-29T13:53:00.000-05:00

Voices In Praise presents a

Madrigal Dinner

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Come One, Come All

Join the Feast at West River Hall.

A Madrigal Dinner we will present

With Food & Song & Entertainment.

Voices In Praise will not disappoint

So please make a point

Of buying your tickets! Make haste! Don’t delay!

Special Treats like this don’t come every day.

January 8, 2012

3 o’clock p.m.

Performance Only
Freewill offering - no tickets required!

6 o’clock p.m.

4-Course Dinner

Performance

$25/Adult

$15/Kids age 12 and under

Performances will take place at

The Ethel C. Rider Dining Center at West River Center

5100 Chalk Point Road, West River, MD 20778

For tickets to the 6pm performance, please contact

Lady Anita Guit at 301-855-8631 or GuitGang@yahoo.com

OR
Lady Bonnie Dean at 410-257-7133 or BSueDean@comcast.net

Harvest Day 5K Results

2011-11-30T22:20:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all of the runners and walkers who participated in our Harvest Day 5K! We appreciate you coming out and hope to see you again at next year's race.

Here are the race times:

# Name Time

2 Noah Wood 17:49

27 Bennett Umhau 17:55

6 Gabe Taulbee 23:03

26 Spencer Fielding 23:10

9 Brianna Kovacs 23:15

10 John Bly 23:24

5 Biff Umhau 23:46

4 Robbie Flora 23:59

21 Keira Shoup 28:27

23 Megan McGivern 28:29

1 Leanna Dean 28:30

22 Chris Atkins 28:50

25 Jill Chaney 28:50

24 Ross Fielding 28:52

19 Kori Talbott 28:52

3 Kathy Hennes 29:16

30 Bill Kamenoff 29:38

11 Mark Stiles 30:56

17 Lori Graybill 31:05

32 Augusta Trapp 31:08

8 Jason Hook 31:50

15 Kevin Burch 32:10

13 Kate Shoup 33:15

28 33:16

7 Livi Howland 33:25

18 Kristen Luketich 33:41

16 Courtney Turner 33:31

20 Kristen Brought 33:45

12 Patti Stiles 38:27

31 Rolinda Collinson 41:43

33 Patrick Jones 44:30

Madrigal Cast

2011-11-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you to all the VIPs who auditioned for this year's Madrigal cast. Everyone who auditioned has lines. If you auditioned and your name is not on the list below, please contact Holly so we can add you!

All cast members are asked to come to a read-through on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 12:30pm - 2pm in the Music Room. Scripts will be distributed then and we will discuss our rehearsal plans for the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Madrigal Cast:
Jesters - Amanda Ortiz, Kerry McGowan, Michael Saunders
King - Nick Wathen
Queen - Maddie Buckley
Lords - Elijah Bowen, Cam Boyd
Ladies - Hailey Guit, Olivia Ortiz
Angels - Morgan Bowen, Keeley Butter
Mak - Kyle Vansant
Gil (Mak's Wife) - Megan Gates
Coll the Shepherd - Jenna Dean
Gib the Shepherd - Kaitlyn Hynes
Daw the Shepherd - Maddie Schaefer

5K Location and Directions

2011-11-18T18:40:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is our Harvest Day 5K! The race will start and end at the Plummer House, located within Jug Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. We have modified the race route so that the entire 5K will be run within the sanctuary.

The race kicks off at 9am. Early registration will begin at 8am and yes, friends and family can register tomorrow morning.Hope to see you in the morning!

Directions to Plummer House at the Parris N. Glendening Nature Preserve at Jug Bay

5702 Plummer Lane

Lothian, MD 20711

From Annapolis
From West St. at Parole, take Route 2 south 18 miles. At the Lothian "circle" go 3/4 of the way around and stay on Route 2. Go past the fire station, schools and St. James Church (on left) until the next stoplight at Route 258; go right (west) on Rt. 258. Continue on Route 258 for 4.5 miles until this ends near the "Park and Ride" just after crossing over Route 4. At the stop sign, turn onto Wrighton Rd. At the next stop sign, turn right onto Plummer Lane. Turn left up the short steep driveway, just before the service road and Route 4.

From Baltimore at the Baltimore Beltway (Route 695)From Route 695, take I-97 south. I-97 ends at Route 50. Take Route 50 West/301 South. 301 South will split from Route 50. Continue on Rt. 301 south to Route 4 at Upper Marlboro. Go east/south on Rt. 4 for 3 miles (1.5 miles after crossing over the Patuxent River) to the "Plummer Lane" exit on right.

From Washington, D.C.Take Pennsylvania Ave. east to Capital Beltway (Rt. 495). At the Beltway, Penn. Ave. becomes Rt. 4; follow Rt. 4 east/south for about 10.5 miles to the "Plummer Lane" exit. (Plummer Lane is 3 miles east of Rt. 301 and 1.5 miles east of the Patuxent River). Exit right at Plummer Lane. Turn right into the short steep driveway, just after the service road.

From Calvert CountyTake Rt. 4 north and exit at the "Bristol-Deale" exit (Rt. 258). At stop sign go left over Rt. 4, and continue to stop sign at Wrighton Road (near "Park and Ride"). At the stop sign, turn onto Wrighton Road. At the next stop sign, turn right onto Plummer Lane. Turn left into the steep driveway, just before the service road and Route 4.

5K Registration!

2011-11-15T09:12:00.000-05:00

Early registration for the 5k ended last night but we're going to extend it until 9pm today, Tuesday, November 15! We will re-open online registration at Active.com or download a registration form online. You can fax your form to 301-576-8555 or scan it and send it via email to HollyRLee@gmail.com.

Hope to see you at the Harvest Day 5K

National Christmas Tree - Take 3

2011-10-27T04:02:00.000-04:00

Voices In Praise is excited to tell you that we are going to perform at the National Christmas Tree on December 22 at 7pm! At least, we hope so.... we have had some rotten luck with this venue in the past; this is the third year we've been planning to perform. We're hoping that winter weather won't stand in our way this year!

See you at the tree!

First Performance of the New Year!

2011-10-07T14:22:00.000-04:00

VIP is back in action and performs for the first time this year on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Friendship UMC's 11am worship service. We're doing two pieces -- a spirited call to worship called "Zion's Walls" and a lovely offertory called "Time for Turning." The music seems to match the mood of VIP as we get underway this year.

We're enjoying our new members, while adapting to a choir without the Class of 2011 and our pals Mackenzie (who moved to Utah) and Brenna (who headed off to boarding school). The alto section took the biggest hit this year -- in addition to losing 5 wonderful young women, we had to let Josiah & Michael head over to the tenor section! Thankfully, we have some new singers who are doing a stellar job filling that musical hole including Sarah, Keeley, Livi, Griffin and Elijah. *Snaps* to them and all our VIP rookies!

The choir is sounding great and we're ready for Sunday!

Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's!

2011-09-25T17:25:00.001-04:00

You're invited to an Applebee's® Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast
to support Voices In Praise - Youth Choir

$7.00 per person

Saturday, October 1, 2011
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
2141 Generals Highway
Annapolis, MD 21401

Tickets are ON SALE NOW!!!
Contact Kim Hynes at hynes57mom@comcast.net to reserve your ticket!

Thank you for coming to the Rally!

2011-09-14T00:12:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Monday night's rally! It was awesome to see so many returning singers, and meet so many new people. Holly will be sending out an email to all singers and parents within the next day or so.

We will have regular rehearsals next Monday, September 19:
6:30pm - 8pm for Singers in Grades 6-8
7pm - 8:30pm for Singers in Grades 9-12

We hope to see all of you next week!

It's Rally Time!

2011-09-09T16:06:00.002-04:00

Hope to see our current singers and many new ones at Monday night's rally from 6:30pm-8:30pm! Please eat dinner before you come, and be ready for goofy games, awesome music, and a lot of fun with the world's nicest singers -- the VIPs!!!

Questions?

Call or text our Director (Holly Reynolds Lee) at 301-728-1748.

One Year Wonders

2011-07-14T06:43:00.001-04:00

VIP might not be rehearsing every week but summer is still a busy time in the life of this ministry. One of my favorite summer activities is catching up with alums who are home from college. This might be the strongest summer on record for alumni spotting!

Todd Soper (VIP '07) - Center - In the red vest!

Yesterday, I had lunch with Todd Soper (VIP '07) who recently graduated from West Chester U. and is getting ready to head to Philly to "Give a year, Change the world" with City Year. I was thinking about that slogan when it dawned on me -- Todd was a VIP for just 1 year. That's it! And yet, I can't imagine that year without him. Our concert of Motown music would not have been the same without his smooth dance moves. His contagious optimism and positive leadership had a real impact on us.

Todd is part of a special group of VIPs that I think of as the "One Year Wonders." These are folks who, for whatever reason, were VIPs for just one year. Almost always, they're seniors. They decide senior year that they finally have room in their schedules or they finally give in to a friend who has been inviting them for years. Even though time is short for our One Year Wonders, their impact is strong and the relationship can be long.

So, if there are any Seniors out there reading this who are wondering, "Can I join VIP this year?" The answer is asbolutely! We'd love to have you and add you to our roster of One Year Wonders.

The 10 Best Things About Singathon

2011-06-26T09:09:00.000-04:00

Thank you, thank you to everyone who came to Singathon, sang, played, and helped run our event! In reflecting on this busy and full day, here's my list of the 10 best things about Singathon:

10. Solos by our youngest VIPs all the way through our alums!

9. Watching the VIPs cheer one another on - especially the Ortiz family

8. Reuniting the 2008-2010 soprano trifecta - Kate, Kerry, Tara

7. Realizing that altos know hal-to, even when they're out numbered - Ashley, Katherine, Ellie

6. Guest musicians - RockFish band, Norm & Mary Flora, Dean Winter = awesomeness

5. 100% tenor/bass attendance from the 2004 crew

4. The incredible work from parents and singers - special thanks to Jenna & Kaitlyn, and your families!

3. The giddy grins on the faces of alum parents.

2. Hearing 11 years of VIP sing "Blessing."

1. Reconnecting with people who mean the world to you.

Singathon 2011!

2011-06-23T10:42:00.004-04:00

Part marathon, part concert - it's a festival of singing that begins at 3pm in Friendship's Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.

The day's final event is a "Flashback Concert” at 7:30pm, featuring VIP Alumni and current singers, performing music from past tours and concerts. How much do they really remember? Are they as good as they once were? We’ll find out!

Admission is $1 per person or a box of cereal to be donated to SCAN!

Food and CDs will be available for purchase, and a freewill offering will be collected to support the Voices In Praise ministry.

Singathon Schedule - subject to change!

3pm - Rock/Pop through the Ages - with popular tunes from the '50s - now!
1.    One Fine Day – Caitlin Fowler, Molly Wilkerson, Kate McGowan, Kerry McGowan
2.    Good to Know - Carly Wood & Morgan Bowen
3.    Anything You Can Do – Gabriel & Olivia Ortiz
4.    Beautiful – Allison Parker
5.    Price Tag - Olivia & Amanda Oritz
6.    El Amor – Amanda Ortiz
7.    Only Hope – Jenna Dean
8.    Rolling in the Deep – Allison Parker
9.    Chances Are – Maddie Buckley
10.    Summer Place – Maddie Buckley
11.    Dream – Maddie Buckley
12.    I Only Have Eyes for You - Maddie Buckley
13.    Only Exception – Kaitlyn Hynes
14.    This Can't Be Love – Ellie Chiurco
4pm – RockFish Band - An eclectic blend of folk, rock and pop by a local band that includes VIP Dad Ray Saunders!

4:30pm – Mary Flora

5:15pm – Brenna Jeffries Coffeehouse

5:30pm – Alumni Power Hour
1.)    Leslie Vincent
2.)    Sebben Crudele – Charlie Case
3.)    Spirituals Medley – Jeff Myers, Charlie Case, Dylan Fredericks, Robbie Flora
4.)    Molly Wilkerson
5.)    On My Own – Carmen Ortiz
6.)    Stars – Charlie Case
7.)    Dean Winter
8.)    Molly Wilkerson
8.)    Carolyn Chiurco

9.)    Dean Winter
10.)    Kate McGowan
11.)    Leslie Vincent
12.)    Kate McGowan
13.)    Iain Sturrock
14.)    Molly Wilkerson

6:30pm – Showtune Central - no day is complete without a few Broadway showstoppers!
1.)    Anything You Can Do – Jenna Dean & Kaitlyn Hynes
2.)    Castle on a Cloud – Madeline Case & Carly Wood
3.)    Part of Your World – Jenna Dean
4.)    In My Own Little Corner – Maddie Buckley
5.)    I Want to Go to Hollywood - Kerry McGowan
6.)    Camelot Medley – Ashley Marquardt
7.)    Adelaide’s Lament – Kerry McGowan
8.)    Maddie Buckley
9.)    Ashley Marquardt
10.)    Secondary Characters – Kerry McGowan & Ashley Marquardt
11.)    Goodnight My Someone – Maddie Buckley

7:30pm – Alumni Flashback Concert
1.)    One Step – (2011)
2.)    Joy In the Morning - (2011 & 2004)
3.)    Bow the Knee – (Chicago 2010) – with Soloist Tara Kovacs
4.)    Here I Am, Lord – (Chicago 2010)
5.)    Lift Your Light – (Chicago 2010 and January 2008)
6.)    Seasons of Love (2009)
7.)    Bridge Over Troubled Water (2008) with Soloists Kaitlyn Hynes, Dean Winter, Molly Wilkerson
8.)    If We Ever A’Needed (2008) with Soloists Tara Kovacs and Dean Winter
9.)    For the Beauty of the Earth (2008)
10.)    ABC (2007)
11.)    Love Train (2007 + 2011 Valentine Singers) with Soloist Leslie Vincent

INTERMISSION

12.)    Rock-a My Soul – Chamber 2006 – with Soloist Iain Sturrock
13.)    Prayer of the Children – Chamber 2006
14.)    Be Thou My Vision – 2006
15.)    Swing Medley (2005) – Sentimental Journey with Soloists Brad Bailey, Jessica Vangel, Kristin Myers
16.)    Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (2005)
17.)    He Never Failed Me Yet (2004) with Soloists Kristin Myers, Iain Sturrock
18.)    Old Rugged Cross (2000)
19.)    Awesome God (1999) with Soloists Kristin Myers, Iain Sturrock
20.)    An Irish Blessing (1999 - 2011) – All VIPs, All Years

Thank you! And Giving Update -- Coming

2011-06-12T22:05:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who came to our concert tonight! It was a wonderful night, full of great music and good fun. I thought I'd be able to post an update on our giving progress but the data still hasn't made its way from Friendship UMC's accounting folks to me. I'll stay on it and post the info ASAP.

Thanks for your support!

The Madness of May

2011-06-06T06:17:00.000-04:00

You must think we fell off the planet. Nope - we're still here! Especially since that whole "the world is ending on May 21" bit didn't happen. But May was madness for the VIPs. Here's what we've been up to since our last post:

1.) We celebrated Easter! It was such a blast to unite with our alums, Sanctuary Choir pals, parents, and friends to sing The Hallelujah Chorus.
2.) Our Middle Schoolers had an awesome performance in worship on May 1 and then the high schoolers delivered their own awesome performance on May 22.
3.) We sang at a local Memorial Day ceremony in Deale.
4.) We had a meeting with Middle School VIPs and their parents to discuss some possible changes to VIP's rehearsal format for next year.
5.) We let Holly take a 10-day vacation -- between performances, of course. And when she came home, we through her a surprise baby shower. (Baby Lee arrives this summer while VIP is on break.)
6.) The VIPs had prom, AP tests, SATs, graduation, band/choir/orchestra concerts, and all of the end-of-the-year hoopla that accompanies these major events.
7.) We've been steadily making plans for our last concet (on June 12 at 7pm), Singathon (on June 25), and Russia in 2012!

We're sorry for the lack o'posts but hope you'll forgive us! The VIPs are busy, busy people and we're doing our best to juggle all our STUFF. If you ever need us urgently, feel free to contact Holly or call the church office at 410-257-7133.

:-)

Hallelujah Chorus Plans for VIP Alums, Parents, Friends

2011-04-23T12:35:00.001-04:00

All VIP alums, parents, friends, and congregation members who know the Halleleujah Chorus are welcome to join the choir in singing this traditional favorite on Easter Sunday!

Here's the game plan:

9am - VIPs assemble in the Fellowship Hall for warm-up in formal uniforms.

9:20am (approximate) - enter the sanctuary and sing the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the 8:30am worship service

9:35am - Breakfast!

10:30am - Hallelujah Chorus warm-up in the Music Room

11am - Worship service. We'll sing "O Worship the King" PLUS the Hallelujah Chorus at the end

The Hallelujah Chorus is a new tradition -- we sang it last year, and anyone in the congregation (parents, VIP alums, etc.) who knows this much-loved piece is welcome to stand up and sing it with us. It's a piece that really requires a lot of voices, which is why we're showing up early to sing it at the 8:30am (with the Sanctuary Choir) and why the Sanctuary Choir is sticking around through the 11am service to sing it with us.

Please feel free to join us for either or both services!

"Thank you for another great VIP rehearsal!"

2011-04-19T07:13:00.000-04:00

Mackenzie often says "Thank you for another great VIP rehearsal" during our end-of-rehearsal devotional time. She has been offering this praise since her early days as a 6th grade VIP -- and boy, that seems like a long time ago.

There are times - like last night - when I wholeheartedly agree with her. When rehearsal is good, it's AWESOME. When those VIPs are present, focused, working hard, and healthy, rehearsal is an amazing place.

There are also times when Mackenzie has offered this statement of praise, and I've wondered to myself, "Were we AT the same rehearsal?" There are nights when I think rehearsal is not great at all. Granted, those nights are few and far between - but still, they exist.

And yet - Mackenzie praises God all the same. It's a powerful witness.

I am grateful for Mackenzie's ability to see the greatness of God's work in every situation. There have been many a time when her devotional has lifted me up, soothed my soul, or helped me to see things a little differently... after all, my perspective on the greatness of the rehearsal is just that: my perspective. Mackenzie sees things differently -- and for that, I praise God.

Photos from Weekend Tour

2011-04-17T12:57:00.003-04:00

Pictures from Weekend Tour

2011-04-17T12:52:00.001-04:00

Weekend Tour, a set on Flickr.

The Sunday Wrap-Up

2011-04-11T21:36:00.000-04:00

VIP was on the go on the Sunday of our weekend tour. We started out at Bel Air UMC. This large church has multiple services happening at the same time! First, we sang in the Youth Service which takes place in the gym, complete with stage, praise band, giant screens, and stage lighting. Then, we headed upstairs to the beautiful sanctuary to sing in their traditional worship service.

One of the interesting things about this experience -- we were sitting in the regular pews during communion and sang several pieces from this spot. The result was that I was facing the congregation, instead of having my back to them, like I usually do. It was different and I tried to be aware of how I might look. This was NOT the time to stick my tongue out at the choir or make a silly face to get them to loosen up!)

We hung out for a few minutes in Bel Air's ultra-cool Youth Center (complete w/ soda and pinball machines!) and then boarded the bus for Agape Center in Baltimore. We had lunch en route and got there just in time for the gospel service to start.

The mission-minded congregation at Agape takes a unique approach to worship and as the gospel music started, VIPs sang and clapped along. We performed a great 5-song set and invited the children to play instruments with "Jenga" one of our Swahili pieces. We closed the set with the favorite, "Oh Happy Day" and the Pastor (rightly) called out the choir. He said, "You all are singing about a Happy Day but some of you don't look too happy." True, true!

After worship, it was back on our bus and a stop for ice cream before we got back to church. It was a GREAT day and a great tour.

Thank you to Bel Air and Agape for having us! We hope to return some day to worship with you.

Saturday Night

2011-04-02T22:50:00.000-04:00

We are safe and sound at the hotel -- and will soon experience the nighttime quiet of a sleeping choir, assuming that we can get the 6th & 7th grade girls to settle down. :-) They're excited to be on Choir Tour, and I think we all are.

We had two wonderful concerts today. First, we sang at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center. The acoustics in the gym were surprisingly good and the young men in the audience seemed to enjoy our being there. The staff was incredibly kind and gave us a warm welcome.

We had visions of an afternoon lunch and games in a local park but the weather caused us a change in plans. Much to the delight of my shopper VIPs we headed to Towson Town Center for lunch and a few minutes of window shopping.

Then, we performed in the rotunda of St. Joseph's Hospital. Awesome acoustics in this space! The VIPs made good use of it and performed well.

We checked into our hotel, changed into our dress clothes and headed out to Little Italy for a nice dinner with music from a few local musicians. The VIPs heard a mix of opera and broadway. It was different music for many of them and I'm glad that they're willing to hear new sounds and types of music. The restaurant staff commented on how well-behaved our kids are.

And now -- it's time for lights out. This tired director needs some rest but first, I have to go listen at the doors of those 6th and 7th graders!

WWAJD?

2011-04-02T06:39:00.000-04:00

I debated for weeks - school bus or motorcoach for this weekend tour? A school bus is certainly the most economical, but there's something great about the luxury of a motorcoach: the nice seats, storage space underneath, and (my favorite) the on board microphone for making announcements to a noisy group. Plus, when a motorcoach pulls up, the kids don't let out a collective groan at riding the "big cheese." But these two forms of transportation carry their own steep costs. Bus prices are higher than they've ever been, and a motorcoach is nearly $1,000 more than a school bus.

While on regular Summer Tour, we have to take a motorcoach, but for this Weekend Tour - could we get away with a school bus?

I waited for a while to see if our numbers would dictate the bus type. With nearly 50 active singers in the group, we no longer fit on a school bus. But I knew we would have some kids who couldn't make it this weekend, and as their sign-up sheets came in, it became clear that we actually would fit on a school bus... and that left the decision up to me. And, still, I debated. Like any youth leader - I like making my kids happy, and a school bus isn't typically the path to happiness.

Finally - it dawned on me, WWAJD? Not what would Jesus do (although certainly consulting him is a good idea). What would Alice Jane do?

The funding for this Weekend Tour was provided by the family and friends of Alice Jane Greenwell. There's no way we'd be Touring this weekend if it weren't for Alice Jane. A long-time supporter of VIP, Alice Jane could always be counted on to help us in whatever way we needed. She made us many lemon pies over the years and rarely missed a performance. She cheered us on. She believed strongly in seeing youth involved in the church, and was always ready with a hug, a smile, or a word of encouragement. She was a gift to me and to VIP -- and I miss her dearly.

The funds for this tour didn't belong to me or the kids. They belonged to Alice Jance. So, what would Alice Jane do?

It took less than a minute to reach my conclusion - she'd take the school bus. The motorcoach, for all its niceness, wasn't a necessity. And while my kids might not be thrilled - my job is not always to thrill them. It's to teach them good stewardship, how to use gifts wisely to meet a ministry's needs. If I could talk to Alice Jane, I suspect she would have told me that. A school bus would meet our needs - and my VIPs would be disappointed for about a minute before they moved on. That's just how kids are. At the end of the Weekend, I suspect the type of bus we took wouldn't matter at all.

So, Alice Jane, thank you for helping me sort this one out. Thank you for supporting me and VIP in so many ways over the years. This Tour's for you...

From Elizabeth...

2011-04-01T08:13:00.001-04:00

Part of every VIP Tour is a daily devotional (AKA: "dee-vo"), led by Juniors/Seniors. It's a special time on Tour, and one of the elements that matter most to the VIPs.

Senior Elizabeth Bennett (a 7-year member of VIP) is leading one of the devotionals. She emailed me the following passage that I wanted to share with you. I was proud to read her work, honored to call her a VIP, and amazed at who this young woman has become. Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me share this with others!

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

This is my seventh year in VIP and my fourth choir tour. I’ve lasted through the tears, sweat, and pain of being a VIP and the pure joy and happiness it brings. I’ve been to every possible venue setting and have seen it all: the glares, the smiles, the dancing, the cat calls. You name a reaction an audience member could give a church choir and I’ve experienced it. Sometimes it’s not always easy to sing on the streets and get confounded looks or sing in a prison and receive glares from the inmates. It’s difficult to keep that smiling face when you know the people you’re singing to don’t want to be there and don’t want to listen to what you have to say.

But this is why we’re Voices In Praise. There’s a reason why this choir has built up such a great ministry and there’s a reason why we sing in these places. God has a plan for us that we have to carry out. We are the shepherds that guide the flock. God wants us to serve him and pass his word unto others, and to do so, we must be eager to serve. So, when you sing to an audience, put on a smile and let His light shine through you. We may not always get the reaction we expect, but with a little faith, we just might be the example that flock needs.

Questions for VIP discussion:
1.) As a VIP, what do you think it means to be a shepherd of God’s flock?

2.) What can you do to be the example the flock needs?

3.) We all have reasons why we’re in this choir: the forceful parent, the love of singing, or even because of a friend. There’s a reason why we’ve all met and sing together to shine the light of God. Why do you minister with VIP?

Roommates for Weekend Tour

2011-03-28T22:17:00.000-04:00

Ah, it's the moment you've all been waiting for! Here are the roommates for Weekend Tour. Please keep in mind - we have a lot of requests to coordinate when we put rooms together. Sometimes, you are requested as a roommate by people you didn't request; and sometimes the people you requested, requested other people. (Got that?) If you have major issues, contact Holly but please keep in mind -- this is for one night only. You may even be surprised at how things turn out!

Roommate Assignments:
1.) Cameron, Nick, Michael
2.) Ben, Josiah, Francis
3.) Jenna, Kerry, Mary Brooke
4.) Maddie, Megan, Maegan, Kaitlyn
5.) Sarah, Sarah, Lauren, Zoe
6.) Olivia, Kelsey, Hailey, Morgan
7.) Amanda, Meredith, Ellie, Shannon
8.) Ashley, Elizabeth, Carmen, Courtney
9.) Della, Carly, Renee, Madeline

10.) Holly, Adam
11.) Rolinda, Anita
12.) Michelle
13.) Scott

BIG News - Matching Gift Challenge!

2011-03-26T13:04:00.000-04:00

Voices In Praise is thrilled to announce that from now through June 30, 2011, we have a Matching Gift Challenge. An anonymous donor has graciously agreed to match donations to Voices In Praise, up to $5,000!

Funds donated under this challenge will go towards the choir's general fund. (They cannot be donated towards a specific singer.) Under this offer, your donation of $10, $20, or $50 becomes $20, $40, or $100! All gifts, no matter how big or small, will be matched until we hit the $5,0000 mark.

What does the general fund do?

Helps to offset costs for the whole group. We try to use the general fund to cover motorcoach costs when the group needs to hit the road for a performance.
Makes scholarships available to singers who need them. VIP has a policy that no singer will EVER miss a mission opportunity because of financial reasons. A robust general fund helps us to ensure that we're always able to fulfill this policy.
Allows VIP to take on projects that are not covered by our standard church budget. Using our general fund, we're able to hire busses when we need them, bring in special musicians and clinicians, and even pay equipment and rental fees when we need to buy something for our ministry.

Would you please consider making a donation under this challenge? No amount is too small and all donors will be recognized on this Website and in VIP programs at upcoming concerts. What better way to show your support for the youth choir that supports so many people in so many ways?

To make a gift, all you need to do is write a check payable to "FUMC" with "VIP" on the memo line. You can drop it in the offering plate at Friendship UMC or mail it to:
Friendship UMC
Attn: VIP
22 West Friendship Road
Friendship, MD 20758

Thanks in advance for being part of this challenge!

52

2011-02-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

Tonight, the VIP roster has 52 singers on it. It's nothing short of absolutely amazing. At the moment, it's also a little wild as we adjust to our new size -- but we'll get there! And wait till you hear 'em sing...

A special welcome to our newest singers - Kyle, Hunter, Nick, Kelsey, Morgan, and Melody! We're thrilled to have you in the VIP circle.

Here's to being 52!

Bring A Friend Night - January 31!

2011-01-28T12:47:00.000-05:00

Bring A Friend Night
Monday, January 31, 2011
6pm-8pm
Friendship United Methodist Church: 22 W. Friendship Road, Friendship, MD 20758

VIP's annual Bring A Friend Night is coming up next week! Students in Grades 6-12 are welcome to attend this night of dinner, games, prizes, and good singing. Come see what VIP is all about!

Change to Rehearsal on January 24

2011-01-24T06:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Blog Readers - we have been quiet for a few weeks but there is so much to share with you: Madrigal Dinner success (with pictures! and many thank yous), Bring A Friend Night (happening on Jan. 31) and our spring performance schedule. But for now, we have a change to our rehearsal schedule for Monday, January 24 that we have to share. Be on the lookout for a newsy-posts and all sorts of info this week. Thanks!

REHEARSAL ON MONDAY, JANUARY 24:

Middle Schoolers - there are no changes for you! See you from 6:30pm - 8pm
HS Guys - there are no changes for you! See you from 7pm - 8:30pm
HS Girls - you have rehearsal with full VIP from 7pm - 8pm, and then you're done for the night. I'm going to rehearsal HS guys ONLY from 8pm-8:30pm.

We are singing on Sunday, Jan. 30. The introit is "Awake the Heart' (High Schoolers only) -- so high schoolers, even if you are absent from rehearsal on Jan. 24, please be ready to go on Sunday morning.

The anthem is "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" for everybody (middle and high school). We started this piece last week and will continue working on in tomorrow. It's unusual that we only have 2 weeks to prepare a piece but that's how the schedule worked out, and we'll be awesome. :-)

Singers, if you missed either last week or you will miss tomorrow - you may still perform both pieces on Sunday. We'll get music into your hands so you can review it and we'll go over it in warm-up.

If you missed last week AND you will miss tomorrow - you will not be prepared for "Come, Now is the Time to Worship." High Schoolers, we still need you to come for "Awake the Heart." Middle schoolers - it would be nice for you to come and be supportive, even if you are not singing. But remember -- if you missed LAST week, come tomorrow and you'll be a-ok for the performance.

If you have specific questions, please email Holly directly. Thanks!

Madrigal Dinner

2010-12-26T21:22:00.012-05:00

Complete flyer online!

Voices In Praise presents a

Madrigal Dinner

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Come One, Come All

Join the Feast at West River Hall.

A Madrigal Dinner we will present

With Food & Song & Entertainment.

Voices In Praise will not disappoint

So please make a point

Of buying your tickets! Make haste! Don’t delay!

Special Treats like this don’t come every day.

January 9, 2011

3 o’clock p.m.

Performance Only
Freewill offering - no tickets required!

6 o’clock p.m.

4-Course Dinner

Performance

$25/Adult

$15/Kids age 12 and under

Performances will take place at

The Ethel C. Rider Dining Center at West River Center

5100 Chalk Point Road, West River, MD 20778

For tickets to the 6pm performance, please contact
Lady Bonnie Dean at 410-257-7133 or BSueDean@comcast.net

Thankful Thursday: The Short List

2010-12-23T22:20:00.000-05:00

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psalm 101: 1)

- A great concert on Monday!
- Parents who go above and beyond to help us -- whether they're moving pews, making food, cleaning up the kitchen, offering rides. Thank you, VIP Parents!
- Instrumentalists who share their incredible talent and skill with us.
- A telepathic director/accompanist connection.
- Alumni, alumni, alumni
- A baby who came into this world and forever changed it... thank you, God, for giving us your son.

Concert Day!

2010-12-20T07:49:00.000-05:00

It's Concert Day for Voices In Praise, and I am excited! We have some wonderful music to share with you. We also will be joined by a fantastic group of instrumentalists. Many of them have been playing for us for years, and it's a joy to team up with them again.

See you tonight!

7:30pm - Friendship United Methodist Church
22 W. Friendship Road
Friendship, MD 20758

CD Release!

2010-12-12T05:32:00.000-05:00

Voices In Praise is thrilled to announce the release of our latest recording - Live By Faith - with 15 songs recorded during last summer's tour to South Bend and Chicago. From Handel's classic "Praise the Lord" to Keith Hampton's "Praise His Holy Name," the CD features a wonderful blend of classical, gospel/spiritual, and contemporary anthems.

CDs are $15 and will be available at Friendship UMC on Sunday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 19, and at our upcoming performances. Please contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee to order copies via email or phone.

VIP records "live" which means that every recording you hear was recorded live in concert or in a concert warm-up. The CD is a mix of recordings taken in different places, and each room has its own, unique sound. Sometimes you might hear doors opening, people walking, or sound from the audience. We do our best to keep these to a minimum - but that's just how it goes when you're recording in God's world!

Thankful Thursday: Being Present

2010-12-09T21:42:00.001-05:00

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psalm 101: 1)

This week, we had nearly 100% attendance at VIP rehearsal. All of our singers (except one, who was attending a mandatory school rehearsal) were there. In the middle of cold and flu season, this is unheard of! I am so grateful for the health of the choir.

And generally speaking -- ever try to get 47 teenagers to be in one place at one time? With everything the VIPs (and their parents) balance every day, I'm a little amazed when we all manage to make it to the music room on Monday nights. Just getting there is reason to give thanks!

More than that, I am thankful that when the singers gather, they're really there. They're focused, they're paying attention, and they're plugged in with each other and with what's happening in the room.

Over the course of the past few weeks, I've been listening to VIP concerts recorded during our last choir tour to South Bend and Chicago. A virus struck the choir and one by one, singers started to come down with awful symptoms including severe laryngitis. (A choir director's nightmare!)

During the Tour, we performed a stunning arrangement of "Here I Am, Lord" that demanded a lot from our awesome sopranos. In the last concert of the Tour, they performed despite their illnesses. To my ears, beneath the beauty of the song, I can hear the sopranos holding on with all their strength and clawing their way to a good performance. They're using every skill they have, and offering every ounce of themselves in that song. They were fighting to be present. And with God's help, they succeeded.

I am grateful that we have singers who work hard to be present, in every sense of the word.

Going Green Results

2010-12-04T23:40:00.000-05:00

During November, VIP held its "Going Green Fundraiser" where we collected items like cell phones, printer cartridges and laptops. We recycled them for cash!

Here are VIP's top sellers:

1st Place - Allison with 3172 points.

2nd Place - Megan with 2386 points.

3rd Place - Renee with 1241 points.

We'll know in a few weeks how much each point is worth! Here are all of the VIPs who participated and their point totals:

Allison		3672
Megan		2636
Renee		1341
Holly		530
Sarah		472
Olivia		470
Lauren		345
Carly		318
Jenna		269
Jamie		230
Mackenzie		225
Maddie		203
Meredith		200
Maegan		133
Ellie		120
Kaitlyn		118
Kerry		108
Mary Brooke		20

Thankful Thursday: Opportunities to See Great Musicians!

2010-12-03T07:42:00.001-05:00

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psalm 101: 1)

We spend a lot of time making music and we're thankful for the opportunities we have to witness professional musicians in action. It's wonderful that we live close to Washington, DC and get to take advantage of the museums, monuments, and events that are available to us for FREE.

This Sunday, Dec. 5, there's an event much closer to home -- the U.S. Navy Band's Sea Chanters and Country Current will present a free concert at the Mary D. Harrison Cultural Arts Center at 3pm. Check it out!

Flipping Your Christmas Switch

2010-11-24T07:02:00.000-05:00

48 hours from now, many folks will collectively flick their Christmas switch to "on" as they hit the malls, deck the halls and gear up for this special season. Voices In Praise has been rehearsing Christmas music since September and we're pretty excited to share it with you!

This morning, I was reading an online posting from a music teacher and director of several children's choirs, who wrote, "I equate Christmas decorations with panic over all the performances that come with the season. I’m never really able to enjoy the holidays until school is OUT."

And I thought to myself, "How sad." Her comments really struck me and I wish I knew her so that I could say, "God doesn't want you to panic, or to not enjoy this special time of year!"

One of the things I like best about being a musician is that we have some responsibility for the season. After all, what would Christmas be without its music? Somewhere amidst Jingle Bell Rock and Deck the Hall, the quiet strains of Silent Night and the powerful call of O Come All Ye Faithful serve to re-focus our attention. God certainly has a choir of angels at his disposal and doesn't need me to sing a note, but I appreciate that he gives all of us (and especially the members of Voices In Praise) a role to play in the grand scheme of his universe.

How we carry out that role matters. It's the difference between looking at a December calendar and thinking "Ugh" or looking at it as an incredible opportunity to usher in the Savior of the world in a very special, very important way.

I hope you'll find a place on your December (or January!) calendar for a Voices In Praise performance. You'll find our performance calendar at the right of this posting - we'd love to see you.

Here's to flipping that Christmas switch on -- after we celebrate Thanksgiving. :-)

Thankful Thursday: Choir Council

2010-11-19T10:55:00.003-05:00

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!

Who navigates the course of a choir? Who dreams the dreams, sets the standards, and wrestles with the tough decisions about what's best for the ministry?

You probably think I do, but I don't operate alone -- and today, I'm very thankful for that. In addition to the sage advice of our accompanist, Brie, I also turn to Choir Council, a small group of elected representatives from VIP. Choir Council has been around as long as VIP itself. When VIP was established, we felt it was important that the singers have a strong role in leading and making decisions for the choir. That's still true today and each fall, the members of VIP choose two middle school students and two high school students to be their voice on Council.

As the director, I'm mighty glad to have a group I can lean on. Allison, Mackenzie, Mary Brooke, and Kate love VIP and are committed to its success. I'm grateful for them and thankful that we have a choir structure that provides for the input of people from all levels of our organization.

Madrigal Dinner Cast List

2010-11-15T21:36:00.002-05:00

Madrigal Dinner Cast List

Jesters: Kate McGowan and Kerry McGowan

Knight: Michael Saunders

Hag: Carmen Ortiz

Queen: Ashley Marquardt

King: TBD

Saucy Serving Girls: Maegan Boerckel and Courtney Eversfield

Lady Scorned: Elizabeth Bennett

Lords & Ladies:

Cameron Boyd, Maddie Buckley,Thomas Charles, Ben Collinson, Sarah Damario, Jenna Dean, Mackenzie Garrison, Megan Gates, Hailey Guit, Kaitlyn Hynes, Olivia Ortiz,

Allison Parker

Everyone who auditioned should be on this list! If your name is missing, please tell Holly. We will are adapting the script and may have some additions to this list.

Thankful Thursday: Veterans

2010-11-12T07:40:00.001-05:00

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!

Veterans Day is more than a day to relax because we are off school and some of us are off work. Veterans Day is a day where we honor those who served and still serve in the US Armed Forces.

How many of us have taken the time to really think about what our veterans do for us? Our veterans deserve sincere gratitude from every American citizen, for it is because of them that we are able to live as freely as we do.

No matter their age,gender or race, it takes an immeasurable amount of courage to join the military. Each day thousands of people risk their lives while we sleep warmly in our beds. If it wasn't for our armed forces we might not even be allowed to be a part of wonderful groups like VIP.

Take the time today to remember our veterans and all they have done for us, what they still do for us, and what they will do for us.

Written by Allison Parker

Four and a Half Years Later

2010-11-09T07:18:00.002-05:00

Last week, I was out and about in the thriving metropolis of Sunderland when a woman came up to me and said, "I know you." I had no idea who she was! Here's how the whole scene went:

I know you.
Oh, really?
You lead a choir.
Yes, I do. Voices In Praise at Friendship United Methodist.
Yes, yes. You came to our church.
Where do you go to church?
First Baptist Upper Marlboro.

Wow. I figured she'd say Smithville or St. James, or any number of places where we have sung recently. Want to know the one and only time we sang at First Baptist Upper Marlboro?

June 4, 2006. (No, I did not know this date -- I looked it up!)

And I thought to myself, "This woman has a mind like a steel trap." It has been nearly 4 and a half years since we were there, and you remember us? Wow.

We certainly remember that worship service. It was Chamber alone and I think we did 3-4 pieces as part of their worship service. We always liked singing at different churches, and especially ones of different denominations because they were just... well, different. We became pretty adept at adjusting to service orders and different rituals.

That service was particularly memorable... the sermon was on the story of David and Bathsheba. And the preacher described in (ahem) very strong language. I remember the Choir and I looked at each other with wide eyes and a bit of shock. The preacher was, of course, biblically accurate. It was just a little more than we were used to!

It was memorable for us and I was really touched that after so many years, this woman remembered us. Those types of lasting impressions matter a lot, and help connect the years of the Voices In Praise ministry. I let the woman know that the choir was still around and singing well. We had a nice conversation and I hope that she'll come see the choir sing this year.

This Sunday (Nov. 14, 2010), the high schoolers of VIP journey to St. James in Lothian to sing in worship at their 9am and 11am services. Who knows who will remember this performance in 4 and a half years?!

Thankful Thursday: Karen Boyd

2010-11-04T07:29:00.000-04:00

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!

VIP is fortunate to have an amazing group of VIP Parents who support us in every way possible. The choir is grateful for ALL that they do, and as the Director, I find myself often counting VIP Moms and Dads among my great blessings!

One of those awesome parents is Karen Boyd. In addition to being a VIP Mom, Karen represents us (and the whole music dept.) on the Board of Trustees -- a group that oversees the building, property, and ALL of the equipment. Not an easy task, to be sure.

When I was in Russia over the summer, one of the things that struck me was how different the United Methodist Church buildings are. You won't find a "traditional" brick church like Friendship in Moscow or St. Petersburg. What you will find are groups of people who take community centers, office buildings, and vacant shops and convert them into places of worship. It's very different and very cool.

But back to the point of this post... I appreciate the way Karen carries out her role with kindness, trust, and a focus on helping everyone work together for the good of our whole church. She's a wonderful resource and support.

On Monday night, she went above and beyond the call of duty. I was making copies before rehearsal in the house that serves as the church office when a motorist accidentally hit the house with her car. It was scary and a little unnerving. After I called 911, I called Karen. I'm sure she could hear the urgency in my voice when I asked if she could please come to the church right now.

And she did. She left her family dinner and was at the church in minutes. She smoothly took over the accident scene, working with the police and managing all the insurance "stuff" in the days that followed. Her arrival helped calm me down and freed me up to go to rehearsal, knowing that Karen had everything covered.

Thanks, Karen, for all that you do for me, for VIP, and for Friendship!

VIPs Record Public Service Announcment

2010-11-03T08:58:00.001-04:00

Back over the summer, we blogged about a special recording project that a few VIPs took on. Just days after Choir Tour, Kaitlyn, Robbie, Jenna, Ellie, and Allison hit a recording studio to sing the soundtrack for a Public Service Announcement for a Federal project called Safe Schools/Healthy Students.

We got word today that the video is final and is now being promoted! Check it out:

Congratulations Kaitlyn, Robbie, Jenna, Ellie, and Allison – thank you for representing VIP so well.

Thankful Thursday: Monday Night Dinner

2010-10-31T08:50:00.000-04:00

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!

VIPs are thankful for Monday Night Dinner. The food is delicious and everyone likes the desserts. We are also thankful for the wonderful parent volunteers that help make the Monday night dinner. Feeding fifty children can't be easy, but the parents always do it with a smile on their faces! We also enjoy the fellowship with our fellow VIP members. Getting to chat and bond with them is really quite fun. Thank you every one who helps pitch in at Monday night dinners and we can't wait until the next one!

Written by: Mackenzie Garrison

Oh Happy Day!

2010-10-27T07:37:00.006-04:00

Thankful Thursday: A Photo Story

2010-10-22T13:20:00.001-04:00

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!

We are thankful for:

New paths to take

And meeting friends, along the way.

For the happiness that comes from finding our way out...

And the warmth of a good laugh

For the fun of games well-played

And time well-spent, enjoying God's world.

We are thankful for each other:

Thankful Thursday: VIP Parents

2010-10-14T21:36:00.000-04:00

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!

Who drives VIPs to concerts and events? Who prepares delicious Monday Night Dinner for us? Who is always there to support VIP in their times of need? VIP Moms and Dads of course! Although some of us don't realize it, VIP Parents do so much to help make VIP better. They help with fundraisers, transportation, trips, and many other things that make VIP special. VIP can always count on VIP Moms and Dads to jumpstart our engines when we feel that our batteries are running low. Thank You, VIP Parents!

Written by: Allison Parker

Thankful Thursday: Monday Night Music Baths

2010-10-07T23:49:00.000-04:00

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!

There's a long-standing sentiment among many VIPs that something special happens on Monday nights. It's really sort of remarkable... We can walk in the door in the crummiest of moods, and somehow those Monday night blahs just evaporate. This past Monday, we had rainy weather, chilly temperatures, and skies that seemed to darken just a little earlier than they should. And even with all this, the traditional Monday night mood shift occurred.

I'm not exactly sure what drives the metamorphosis, but Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body."

That sounds about right, so here's to Monday Night Music Baths!

Thankful Thursday: Brie

2010-09-30T20:24:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-23T16:50:00.007-04:00

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!

2010-09-19T21:22:00.005-04:00

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

2010-09-16T07:08:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-14T14:48:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-14T06:21:00.001-04:00

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

2010-09-13T07:05:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-12T16:05:00.003-04:00

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) About VIP

2010-09-09T06:57:00.000-04:00

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!

2010-09-06T06:54:00.001-04:00

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. :-)

The Habit of Excellence

2010-08-29T20:11:00.000-04:00

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

Today, VIP was excellent. They sang well but more than that - they carried themselves with professionalism and grace. They truly fulfilled their role as music ministers. They swallowed their tears, focused on their work, and delivered some beautiful music. But the beauty, in my eyes, came from the way they executed their task... in the million and one details that they handled, without anyone even realizing it -- just as it's supposed to be. That's the habit of excellence coming out.

It's no secret that there are high standards for VIP and meeting those standards is a continual quest. Today, those standards were in full view, from the second the choir entered the church until they filed out. For example, at the end of the service, the family left, followed by members of the congregation. VIP sat in perfect silence as the minutes ticked by and the church slowly emptied. Have you ever seen teenagers sit still and silent for a stretch of time? No one fidgeted. No one whispered. They simply waited. That's excellence.

As happy as I was at the music, I was also proud of the way they conducted themselves. And I think Jodi would have been happy, too. She was a huge supporter of VIP and would bring Adam to concerts when he was young.

I was especially touched that several members of the Class of 2010 journeyed home from college to sing with us. But why should I be surprised? Excellence is a habit, and those guys have been practicing it for many years. They love Adam and VIP, and I think they'd do anything they could to help.

What a gift it was to serve with ALL the amazing young men and women who make up VIP.

VIP to sing at Memorial Service on Sunday, Aug. 29

2010-08-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

Ordinarily, I'd be writing you a cheery, "VIP starts in a few weeks!" message and while I cannot WAIT to see the VIPs and welcome our new members, my message today has a different purpose... Adam Kratz, a 9th grade VIP, lost his mother, Jodi, on Tuesday. A memorial service for Jodi will be held on Sunday, Aug. 29 at Friendship UMC at 2pm, and VIP will sing.

Singing at a funeral is not an easy task and tomorrow will be particulary difficult. It will require courage, grace, compassion, and incredible focus. And I know that VIP will deliver. I am grateful for the fact that nobody rises to a challenge quite like they do. Time and time again, this choir has demonstrated the ability to minister in every type of situation - and I know that they'll do it again tomorrow, even as our hearts break for Adam.

Thank you, VIP, for all the ways you support one another and use music to comfort a world that hurts.

An Overdue Update

2010-08-16T18:15:00.000-04:00

Hi VIPs!

Yes, I am alive and a-ok in Russia. I'm sorry for the lack o' updates!

When I last wrote to you, I was in Orel with the Team. We were having a grand time, getting to know the good folks at Millenium UMC (sister church to Trinity UMC in Prince Frederick) and then the smog hit... and a State of Emergency was declared both in Vorornezh (the area we were heading to) and in Moscow... the text messages flew... and the questions came... and decisions had to be made about what we would do.

It was a group leader's nightmare. Thank goodness for Rev. Charles Harrell and his solid leadership! In the end, Charles opted to go with Plan A and made no changes to the schedule. Our contacts in Voronezh assured us that the camp was safe and the air was clear, and under the circumstances - that seemed like the best option.

My heart went out to Charles as he analyzed data and processed the options and listened for God's direction. It was an incredible lesson and as painful as it probably was for Charles, I'm glad for the opportunity to watch a veteran mission leader wrestle with an incredibly tough situation.

We worshipped with Millenium UMC on Sunday and then headed to Voronezh. On Monday, we started our work projects -- spackling and painting! One team painted and wallpapered a house, while another spackled and painted a ceiling in the conference center. The paint was oil-based and phew - those fumes were something.

I got another lesson, this one in healthcare... Karen hadn't been feeling well since the Team arrived in Moscow and she finally agreed to go to the hospital. So, off she and Charles went with translator in tow. Karen is fine now and had a great experience at the hospital. Seriously! She was in and out, and apparently had a dreamy doctory and some helpful medicines. We should all be so fortunate... I have never had to take a VIP to the hospital and while I pray I never will, I'm glad to know how the process works.

More info to come...
H.

Pictures from Russia

2010-08-08T09:32:00.000-04:00

Red Square

Me in front of St. Basil's Cathedral

St. Bail's Cathedral

Shopping mall by Red Square - for the VIP shoppers. :)

Moscow Train Station

Arriving on the train in Orel

Love it!

Go Karting in Russia!

Go Karts

Everybody jump!

Outside an Orthodox church

Coffee shop

Me & Vlad the Translator

Sunday in Russia

2010-08-08T04:17:00.001-04:00

Hello VIPs –

It’s Sunday morning here in Russia and what a weekend this has been. An update will be coming soon to our team blog. The team and I are all well, and I have come to really appreciate the ways that God is using me. Not what I expected (at all!) but an honor to serve in a different capacity.

I will hoepfully have time later today to share some pictures of my Russia trip so far, including my (thankfully smog-free) visit to Moscow! I was only in Moscow for a day and have spent the rest of the time in a smaller town called Orel. I’m not sure if VIP will make it here but I hope you’ll enjoy the photos!

I’ll also ask you to pray for the safety and health of our Team. Moscow and Voronezh are both under a State of Emergency in response to wildfires and dangerous smog in the region. We are safe and we’re keeping an eye on the situation and will adjust our plans as needed. This is all incredibly bizarre and not typical of a Russian summer. The average August temperature in Moscow is 63 degrees, but this year, temperatures have been well into the 90s on most days.

Praying for cooler weather in 2012… :-)

Love,

Holly

Russia Update!

2010-08-05T23:18:00.000-04:00

You know you’re on a Mission trip when all the days blur together. Many exciting things are happening this week. One of the hallelujah moments: I was reunited with my luggage only 36 hours after it went missing. Hooray!

Back to the exciting things… here’s some the cool stuff I have done:

Visited the Kremlin

Seen The Nutcracker in Moscow

Visited an art gallery and a military history museum (guess which one of these I preferred!)

Enjoyed coffee from the Russia version of Starbucks (as Scott Dean would say – WOW!)

Toured an Orthodox Cathedral (and I wore the required scarf… which made me remember the infamous “Packing Video.” Before we come to Russia, we need to watch the section on How to Tie a Scarf. Haha)

Watched fireworks as the city of Orel celebrates its version of Independence Day on Aug. 5

Had a LOT of good food.

Ridden a ferris wheel.

Saw a sign on a shop in Moscow that said “Mary Flora.” I kid you not! I couldn’t get my camera out fast enough to snap a picture but when I return, I am definitely going to try and track down this place.

Played charades with a Russian family, and (with my team) did a litte singing and dancing. We even taught them the Cupid Shuffle.... ah, American culture.

And then there’s the VIP logistics stuff. I have:

Been practicing my Russian!
Started mapping out our itinerary, paying close attention to the effects of jet lag

Been examining just how we’ll keep the choir hydrated – they don’t sell bags of ice in Russia so we may all have to get used to drinking lukewarm water.

Wondered about any uniform adjustments we’ll need to make... IF we sing in an Orthodox Cathedral, I’m not sure if the lack of sleeves on our black dresses will be problematic. (Shrug shopping, anyone?)

Been on the lookout for fun things that VIP will like (ballet, a Moscow amusement park, and karaoke… I’m still looking for mini golf!)

Purchased Russian coloring books for VIP (seriously, many of the VIPs like to color!) I also bought the cool banner that says "Welcome" in Russian.

Talked at length with a Russian Presbyterian minister (quite a feat considering he speaks no English and I speak no Russian…)

Scouted out cell phones and data services that will keep us connected on our trip

Walked and talked a LOT with a fantastic translator named Vlad about our language needs. Vlad rocks.

On a whole other level, I’m experiencing life in a group when you’re not the director and you’re new to the group. I find myself experiencing things on this trip, and remembering conversations I’ve had with VIPs over the years and thinking, “Oh, this is what he/she was talking about.” It’s like this lightbulb goes off and for the first time, I know exactly how they feel. I'll try to give you a few examples in my next post.

Know that I'm doing well and thinking about the VIPs constantly. I miss the VIP crew and am counting down till September when rehearsals kick back up again!

Love,
Holly

The Official Russia Blog

2010-08-03T02:04:00.002-04:00

Looking for more Russia info? The Team Blog is: http://blagodot.blogspot.com

I'm just one of the writers on the Team Blog so when I am writing, there may be some overlap between some of the posts and the VIP blog. :-)

Here I am, Lord, in Russia!

2010-08-03T01:47:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Moscow - breakfast is AMAZING and the hotel not only has a white baby grand in the lobby, they have another one in the giant breakfast room with a piano player! And would you like to know what he played? Well, we began with a lovely rendition of "Younger than Springtime" before transitioning into Britney Spears, "Oops, I Did it Again." Seriously.

So, I know you're wondering - what's on the breakfast menu?

Standard breakfast fare - toast, fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, omelette, bacon, cereals, coffee, tea, juice, water, ICE

But also - crepes, a GIANT dessert table, a chocolate fountain with fruits and macaroons for dipping, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza (though not the traditional American kind), vegetables, cheese and meats, vegetables stuffed with cheese and things, and all sorts of foods that I can't identify but looked really good.

People said "Oh, the food in Russia isn't good" but I am telling you, folks, I have never had seen such a breakfast spread. I took pictures and will post them as soon as I can.

All of this sort-of makes up for lost luggage, record-high temperatures, and un-air conditioned rooms.

In other news - I am enjoying the daily devotionals and am grateful for the ways that God is working. This morning's message was about being united in community. Sound familiar? Courtney led us on a similar topic on our first night of Choir Tour 2010!

We have a songbook and sing a few tunes during devotional. One of today's songs was "Here I Am, Lord" -- and how could I not think of VIP? Here I was, sitting outside in Moscow, hearing VIPs singing their version.

Already, God is... reminding me in some very visible ways that when we think we have nothing left, we discover that we have everything we need in him. It's hard to put into words, but I think I came to Russia with this agenda for VIP and a game plan in my head about what I needed to accomplish. And God just takes that plan and says, "Nope. I have something else." What else can I do, other than sing, "I will go, Lord, if you lead me."

Home (Part 2)

2010-07-31T11:09:00.001-04:00

Life is an education. I would say we learned a lot of valuable lessons in the whole passport/visa mess -- and I have some pretty good ideas about what NOT to do when Voices In Praise heads to Russia. Yes, I would have liked to have learned this lesson in a different way but still... God does what he has to do.

Like many people in unpleasant situations, I wondered, "God, WHY are you letting this happen? And why don't you step in? You can part the sea, heal the sick, and raise Jesus from the dead... I know you can fix this. Why don't you?"

I don't know why. But I do know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). I trust that God knows what he's doing and even if it leaves me temporarily frustrated, he's not about to ditch me or VIP. He never has and he never will.

So, I reflect with gratitude on the last few days, offering God my thanks for:
- Adam, my family, and friends
- the fact that my airline ticket could be changed without penalty and that the good folks at Continental were able to get me home and then re-book me at no additional cost to fly to Moscow on Sunday
- that at no point was I starving, homeless, or hurt

- the chance to come home and spend some time in the comfort of my own home and in the company of some of my dearest friends and family
- the opportunity to be humbled in service to God and to abandon all schedules and plans to him

Onward and upward... Moscow, I'll see you on Monday!
Holly

Home (Part 1)

2010-07-31T08:02:00.001-04:00

I am supposed to be getting my first glimpse of St. Petersburg right now. Instead, I am at home, waiting for air-conditioning man and calling Continental Airlines again. This is NOT what I had in mind! So, let me tell you how this came to be...

Be warned:
1.) This is a long tale.
2.) Know that it's just Part 1. With God, hope is never lost completely. I am going to Russia. I'm just not there yet. I'll post Part 2 later today.

The facts:
To go to Russia, you must have a Visa. To get a Visa, you must have an "invitation" to visit Russia. The Visa procurement process has several steps and a specific timeline - you can't apply more than 45 days before you're supposed to arrive.

The process:
The team I am traveling with from Trinity UMC filled out our individual visa applications, and worked with representatives from the UM Russia Initiative who get the invitations from Moscow and then work with a visa-procurement company. The company walks the paperwork through the Russian embassy who generates the visa which is applied directly to your passport, and then the company returns the passport with visa to you.

Critical info:

You have to give up your passport to the visa-procurement company who takes it to the embassy.
I was departing from the USA on July 23 to head to Canada for a week with my husband's family.
I was departing from Ottawa, Canada on July 30 and traveling to St. Petersburg (via Washington Dulles).
The team was departing from Washington-Dulles on Aug. 1 bound for Moscow.

So, back in June I surrendered my passport and began waiting for the Visa. There was a delay in getting the invitations out of Moscow, thanks to a broken scanner. (Ah, technology...) In our last team meeting on July 10, we learned that the process wasn't moving along as fast as we hoped.

I think Team Leaders Charles and Karen were a little bit nervous, but I really wasn't. I reviewed my plans and back-up plans and felt confident that it would all be ok. We waited and prayed and hoped and prayed that the passports and visas would arrive in time. And then the news - the passports and visa would arrive on July 23. (Hooray!)

Except they didn't. It would seem that the visa-procurement company somehow dropped the ball and the visas weren't ready. (It seems like the company just sort-of forgot when we needed them.) Not a huge deal. I could get into Canada with my birth certificate and driver's license, and my passport could be overnighted to me via FedEx or UPS. (Note: while you can get into Canada via car with your birth certificate and driver's license, you need a passport to get back into the USA.)

Monday, July 26 came and went, and my passport wasn't shipped. On Tuesday, I put a call to the visa-procurement company to check the status and reminded them about when I was leaving. They sent it via FedEx on Tuesday, and it was supposed to arrive on Wednesday. Except it didn't. Apparently, the FedEx guy got lost.

So, let's ask the obvious question - why didn't he ask for directions? The house is on MapQuest and Google maps, and the phone number was on the shipping label so he could have called. According to FedEx, their drivers a.) don't use MapQuest, Google maps, or any GPS devices; and b.) do not carry cell phones.

On Wednesday evening, we provide specific directions to the house and FedEx promises it will arrive on Thursday. To this point, I've done a pretty good job keeping my worries at bay. FedEx will get here. I'll get on the plane on Friday. It'll be fine.

At 1pm on Thursday, we started tracking the FedEx package, receiving assurances that it was "on the way." The hours rolled by and FedEx promised us it was coming by 5pm. Except it didn't. More phone calls, more promises, more tracking. FedEx can't find its driver.

At 6:45pm, the FedEx guy pulls up and (seriously) you never saw a family rejoice as much as we did. Hooray, hooray! The passport is here. I can go to Russia!

Except the Visa is wrong. It says I am arriving on August 1. I am arriving on July 31. It's off by a day. With my plane scheduled to land at 1pm, it's off by 11 hours.

So, what happens if you arrive in Russia without a valid visa? Can you hang out at the airport? Is there an invisible line that you have to stay behind until the magic moment of midnight? Do they turn you around and send you home? Do they throw you in a Russian jail or hit you with a steep fine?

We make calls. We try to figure out how and where this thing went wrong. More importantly, Adam (my husband, best friend and problem-solver extraordinaire) and I look for solutions. It becomes clear that I need a correct visa and those come from the Embassy. Can the Russian Embassy in Ottawa help me? And can they do it in time for me to make a 2pm flight?

Adam's extended family includes several diplomats and politicians, so I make a call to his cousin, Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons.

Me: Peter, do you know anyone at the Russian Embassy in Ottawa?
Peter: I know the Ambassador. Will that work?

On Friday morning, Adam and I go to the Russian Embassy, armed with hope from our call with Peter and knowledge about what happened. The dates on my visa application were correct, but when the UM-representatives sent the info to Moscow, they sent the wrong dates. We have copies of all the paperwork. The invitation from Moscow was wrong. The visa matched it. No one caught it.

The Russian Embassy representatives let me know that invitations come from Moscow and they can't issue a Visa without that invitation. The all-powerful Ambassador is in Russia on holiday and unreachable. And when asked what happens if you show up in Russia without a Visa, the only thing the Embassy representatives will say is "You can't."

I walked out of the Embassy and did the only thing that one can do in these sorts of situations: I cried. Great, big gulping sobs of complete and total hopelessness. And anger. And epic failure. I was supposed to go to Russia to serve God and now, I wasn't even going to get into the country.

I looked at Adam and said, "I want to go home." And here I am.

"Magic in the Sound"

2010-07-22T11:53:00.000-04:00

A week or so before we left on Choir Tour, we got an interesting phone call. A Federal agency was looking for a group of kids to record a newly-written song for a Public Service Announcement -- could we help?

They wanted a young sound, which meant that we'd have to leave our high school singers at home :-( and let the middle schoolers tackle this task on their own. And the size of the studio meant that we could only take a handful of singers. :-( I had the tough job of figuring out which voice-types were needed to record this blues-y tune, who was in town and healthy (we had a bunch of sick VIPs after our trip!) and who had the stamina for a day-long recording session just 2 days after we wrapped up Tour.

Kaitlyn, Robbie, Jenna, Allison, and Ellie hit a recording studio in Rockville and sang their hearts out. They represented VIP well and did a fantastic job!

Here's the email I received today:
Holly, we can’t begin to thank you enough for the work you and the kids did on this project. Thanks to all of you, there’s magic in the sound. When I got a chance to listen to all the tracks, I could actually hear how you were working with them to get the right sounds – what an amazing relationship you have with them. Your capacity to get them where they needed to get was a real lesson for me, and of course, the kids completely rose to the occasion... You have our deep gratitude!

PS - As soon as we have the final version of the song, we'll post it!

God and Google

2010-07-16T11:56:00.000-04:00

In 14 short days, I will be en route to Russia to participate in a Mission Team and begin preparations for VIP's mission trip in 2012. The Team is traveling to Moscow, Oryol, and Voronezh and while I am excited to visit those cities, I've been praying about how to get to St. Petersburg and make some connections in that city for VIP. I have time at the beginning and end of my trip where I'm traveling solo - but how to make it work?

Last week, in all my Googling, I came across this website for Marvin UMC in Tyler, Texas and was delighted to discover that they're going to Russia, too. And (hold-your-breath) - they're going to be there when I am there by myself! (And check out the words from St. Francis on their website; VIP just sang "Prayer of St. Francis.")

I sent an email through their website and amazingly enough, I got a call last night from Melissa Brigman - who (along with her husband) is leading the team. They've been to Russia more than a dozen times! and leave in 4 days for this next trip.

Can you guess where this is going?

A few reservations for planes, trains, and hotels (no automobiles!) and I have the great joy of meeting with up with team from Tyler, TX and will experience St. Petersburg with them. Together, we'll worship at Grace UMC and I'll get to meet the Pastor there and see their children's programs in action.

I am thrilled and incredibly grateful to God for sorting this out for me. I appreciate the ways he brings people into our lives just when we need them most! Hooray, hooray, hooray!

A "Battle Hymn" Battle

2010-07-11T08:42:00.000-04:00

One of the things I like most about Methodism is its strong history of singing. We have good four-part writing in our standard hymnal, and members of Voices In Praise help to lead the congregational singing during worship. They did a FABULOUS job on Tour, singing in 5 worship services throughout the week.

The Fourth of July was a week ago and I was interested to see what hymns would be sung. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" has gone through its own battle over the years, not only over the song itself and it's link to the Civil War, but for the controversial line in the fourth verse:
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free

The line was changed in the choral arrangement to:
As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free

Apparently, this change was supposed to make it to the Methodist Hymnal. The General Council (the Church's top decision-making group) voted on it more than 20 years ago, but it was never changed in the hymnal! No one seems to know why.

On all sorts of levels, I find this situation (and the article about it) interesting. Don't you just wonder where the buck stopped?

I envision this young guy sitting in a cubicle at the UM Conference headquarters, who gets a memo: "Please change lyrics." Does he throw the memo out and pretend he never got it? Does he stomp and rage and tell his boss how wrong it is? Does the boss agree and do they conspire to not chanage the lyrics?

Or, was it a simple oversight? A human mistake that has gone un-corrected for more than 20 years.

Honestly, I'll sing either set of lyrics but I do think it's important that singers/worshippers/congregations commit to singing in unity. This comes up regularly in VIP. It always makes me laugh when an entire section or the whole choir makes a mistake together. I often tell them, "OK, guys - we messed up the words/rhythm/notes but you get major points for making the same mistake together!" And I believe that sort-of "group think" is important and valuable.

What really bothers me in the article, is that Dean McIntyre, Director of Music Resources for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, admits to singing is OWN set of words, which is neither the original, nor the UM-approved change:

In my own selecting, leading, and singing of this hymn in worship, I have always sung, "as he died to make us holy, now he lives to make us free," regardless of what those around me are singing.

I respectfully disagree -- not only with the lyrics Mr. McIntyre chooses but with the fact that you're singing something different from everyone around you.

Can you imagine if individual VIPs starting changing words to suit them? Yikes...

Hymn-singing is a form of worship. It's designed to (literally) put everyone on the same page. As individuals and music leaders, we might not agree with everything on that page, but that doesn't mean we should create our own individual, musical diversions... especially when we're in positions of musical leadership.

The Complete Choir Tour Slideshow

2010-07-05T22:07:00.002-04:00

Day 6 Photos

2010-07-04T20:21:00.000-04:00

Day 5 Photos

2010-07-04T20:20:00.001-04:00

Homecoming Concerts Tomorrow!

2010-07-04T14:04:00.000-04:00

VIP is home from Chicago and enjoying a day off before we present two Homecoming Concerts tomorrow, Monday, July 5 at 4pm and 7pm at Friendship United Methodist Church (22 West Friendship Road, Friendship, MD 20758).

Please join us!

We'll have a covered dish dinner between the concerts and invite all of you to come and bring a dish to share.

Friday

2010-07-04T14:02:00.000-04:00

The last day of Tour began with a visit to the Bean and impromptu performance. Then, we headed over to the Pritzker Pavilion to watch the Grant Park Orchestra and dancers rehearse for their big 4th of July concert. We had some of the best seats in the house at this beautiful performing venue and enjoyed being in the audience. Some of the VIPs made their way back to the grassy lawn and did their own creative dancing - and were photographed by "The Chicago Tribune." We'll keep an eye on their Web site for pictures of our can-canning high school girls.

After a fabulous lunch at Steve's Deli, we made our way to the Bethesda Retirement Community for an afternoon concert and then to Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for an evening concert. Between the two concerts, VIPs spent some time listening to previous concert recordings and identifying what we could correct in our final concert on the road. This "homework" paid off and the final concert was musically-speaking the best one we gave.

It's hard to identify the "best" concert on Tour. The one at Lincoln Park Presbyterian was, from a technical perspective, the finest performance. But VIP seemed to shine the brightest when performing for kids at Newberry Center or at one of the juvenile detention centers. Music ministry comes in all forms and it's a joy to experience them!

Thursday - Free Day!

2010-07-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

Thursday was VIP's free day on this Tour - an opportunity for singers to rest their voices and see a bit of Chicago. We tried something new on this Tour and let the singers choose what they wanted to do. Throughout the day. VIPs visited the Art Institute, the Zoo, and Navy Pier and attended the Cubs game, Cirque de'Shanghai, and Billy Elliott.

It was a great day!

Wednesday recap

2010-07-03T08:57:00.000-04:00

Boat rides are a traditional part of VIP tour – from cruising the Toronto skyline to tubing the Guadalupe River in Texas. Thursday started off with an architectural boat ride from Navy Pier. The VIPs learned a lot of Chicago history while they identified flying buttresses and learned about air rights, nude buildings, and how the flow of the Chicago river was reversed. Wearing oh-so-cute sailor hats, the VIPs boarded the bus and headed to First UMC at Chicago Temple to sing at their noon worship service.

VIP entered the sanctuary in near-silence and quietly followed instructions through warm-up. They sang beautifully in this historic space and maintained an attitude of silent reverence throughout and following the service. As the last note of the postlude faded away, the choir remained silent and seated, waiting to hear about their next steps. Have you ever seen 31 teenagers sit perfectly still and silent? They did.

VIP’s stellar musicianship and respectful behavior did not go unnoticed. Director of Music Erik Nussbaum paid me one of the greatest compliments : “You have a well-disciplined choir.” Now, THAT is music to my ears. How VIPs carry themselves matters as much to the ministry as the music they sing - and VIP represented themselves well.

We had a delicious lunch en route to our next concert at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center – the largest juvenile detention center in the Nation. VIP went through a rigorous and lengthy security clearance process, and was escorted by guards at all times. When got set up in our performance space and had a few minutes before our audience entered. To loosen the choir and help them relax, we did some basic stretches and then played a competitive game of Simon Says. Petri won!

The audience filed in, along with more guards. As we looked around the room, we discovered that nearly 30 guards were in the room – and later learned that a special detail had been called in to make our performance possible. We appreciate the great lengths that the staff at the Center went to for us.

Prison rules kept us from passing out instruments (drums, maracas, tambourines, etc.) to our audience but we still wanted to get our audience involved. Brie Gresko led us through a body percussion exercise where VIPs and the audience worked together to make “rain.” Then, we did a piece called “Oye!” and taught the audience the chorus so they could sing along.
VIP got comfortable and the audience loosened up. Before long, the 30 or so young men in the audience were snapping and clapping along. They really liked “Honey in the Rock” and our closing piece – “Lean On Me."

Then, it was off to Concert #3 at the Hancock Observatory. We performed on the outdoor plaza and faced chilly temperatures and a wild Chicago wind. It was so strong that our music stands toppled over and Molly & Caitlin together had to hold Brie's music for her. The VIPs banned together for warmth and delivered a fun and energetic concert to people on the plaza.

Then, we went to dinner and Navy Pier for fun on the giant ferris wheel, swings, and mini-golf course. Fireworks capped off this fun day - Eric's 18th birthday.

Day 4 Photos

2010-07-01T18:17:00.002-04:00

Tuesday Reflections

2010-07-01T18:17:00.000-04:00

This tour is flying by! Here it is Thursday afternoon and we haven't had time to update you- we've just been SO busy. Hope this long post was worth the wait...

Tuesday morning dawned sunny and cool here in Chicago. Some of us absolutely love this weather, while others are shivering and reaching for jackets. Despite a late night, we were up and at 'em bright and early, and made our way to the Newberry Center. Founded in 1883 by the women of the First United Methodist Church of Evanston, the Center provides a range of services and programs to low-income families -- including meals and child care for children whose parents are working.

We arrived, got set up in the gym, and then spent some time playing with some of the kids.

They even taught us some of their dance moves:

Thanks to Mary Flora, we learned a fun circle game that uses an Afghan folk tune and 3 rolling balls in a sort of musical dodge ball of sorts. The people in the circle sing, and when the tune shifts - they start rolling balls to try and hit the person standing in the center. 3 hits and you're out! Some of the VIPs have fancy footwork! Here's Petri:

Then, we got to work on different tasks around the Center. Some VIPs scrubbed walls, while others weeded or used a saw to cut tree limbs.

When the work was done, we presented a concert for the kids and the Center's Children's Choir - the Newberry Kids - performed for us. They performed several sacred pieces and closed with a memorable rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." (We're working to upload the video.) We had a great time singing, dancing, and playing with these young Chicagoans.

After our time at Newberry, it was back to the hotel for a lunch of Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza - a Chicago tradition.

We had a quiet afternoon - some VIPs hit the hotel pool while others paid a visit to the Sky Chapel at First UMC at Chicago Temple. They had a bird's eye view of the city and got to see the Stanley Cup on display on the plaza below. Many of the girls went shopping (no surprise there) while the Senior Guys worked on the Tour song.

The HS VIPs met up at 4:30pm to head to Holy Covenant UMC to serve at their Dignity Diner, which takes place every Tuesday. Homeless and hungry individuals are welcomed to a sit-down meal in the church's sanctuary. The VIP High Schoolers became waiters and waitresses, and were joined by the Middle Schoolers to present a post-dinner concert. The VIPs sang well and many of the diners stayed to listen -- something that the Diner organizers say doesn't always happen.

This setting proved to be a difficult one for some VIPs -- the sound of the El train outside, the street traffic pouring in through the open windows and some... very involved participants made for a challenging performance environment. VIP works hard to succeed in every situation and in these types of situations, our training is put to the test.

After the concert, the group visited Portillo's for dinner and celebrated Elizabeth's 17th Birthday. VIP's traditional birthday hat seems to be missing so we replaced it with a Chicago baseball cap in Elizabeth's favorite color - pink!

Day 3 Photos

2010-07-01T14:31:00.002-04:00

Reflections about Monday

2010-06-30T08:14:00.001-04:00

On Monday night, when we were all so exhausted that we could barely keep our eyes open, I suggested to some of the junior/senior girls that they write a blog. Kate replied: "We're tired, giddy, and close to being slap-happy... do you REALLY want us to write a blog post?" Good point.

So, let's rewind to Monday.... we sad goodbye to the Country Inn and Suites and headed over to Notre Dame for a walking tour of the campus.

We said "Hi" to Touchdown Jesus and spent a moment in quiet reflection at the grotto:

Then, we sang in the Basilica. It'a BEAUTIFUL space and great for singing. Tara delivered her solo in "Bow the Knee" with grace and poise - and I was so glad that her parents were in the audience to hear her.

The chaperones had a huge "Uh-Oh" moment when our sound recorder was placed on what they thought was an empty table midway down the aisle. It might have been empty at the beginning but at some point in time, the sacraments of holy communion were placed there, too. And when the volunteers carried the bread and wine forward to the priest, they carried our sound recorder, too! haha And then they GAVE it to the priest. Thankfully, he didn't panic and the volunteers carried the recorder back to the table.

We had lunch at an Irish pub and then moved off to the Chocolate Factory where the kids got a tour and bought enough sugar to energize a small nation. We have enough photos of kids in hairnets to have our own slideshow.

Then, it was off to Camp Summit, a juvenile detention center for teenage boys. They went through a security screening before entering and as part of the security measures, we had to leave all cameras and recording devices on the bus... so there's no evidence of the amazing experience that we had.

When the 78 boys filed out, they looked pretty tough. I could see VIPs taking in their shaved heads, combat boots, and fatigues and I wanted to quickly re-focus our singers. So, I walked up the line of VIP and quietly reminded them:
Some guy out there loves music.
Some guy sang in his church choir.
Some guy grew up watching his Mama sing.
Some guy misses home.
That's someone's baby brother... son... best friend.

Stay with me.
And they DID.

Within minutes, we had those 78 guys playing instruments, stomping, clapping, cheering and singing (yes, singing) along. And in the interactions between pieces, you got to see a glimpse of the lives of these guys.

As I held a set of bongos in my hand, I said "Any drummers out there?" And a guy stood up, pointed to his friend and said "Him! He was a drummer in the school band." You haven't seen joy until you put a set of drums into the hands of a kid who hasn't played them in months. Pure gratitude. Absolute happiness.

At the end of the song, when I collected the instruments back, I said to him "I hope you find your way back to a band." And that look in his blue eyes as he said, "Ma'm, yes Ma'm, I will." THIS is the reason we do what we do.

Then there was the guy who asked us to sing "Oh Happy Day" - a song that the choir does NOT know. (We're going to have to correct this!) Thank the Lord that Molly and Jeff were there because I think the 3 of us are the only ones who know the song. We got through it, and then a guy in the crowd wanted to sing.

I said to him, "It's fine with me if it's fine with the guards." (These guards are TOUGH.) They said yes! And we were all entertained when this guy stood up and delivered a pretty good version of "Oh Happy Day."

As the concert ended, the whoops and hollers from these guys were just fantastic. Lots of thank yous all around. It's always interesting to me that the first ones to say "Thank you for coming" are the ones that LOOK like they're not enjoying the concert. They sit there with a sort-of sour look and you just think, "This guy is really not thrilled to be here."

But we never know exactly how God works through us and makes his way into the hearts of people. And at the end of the concert, when this man shakes my hand, looks me in the eye and says "Thank you for coming tonight. I really enjoyed this." - I remember that God really can do amazing things, and just
because we don't SEE them, doesn't mean they're not happening.

The VIPs were pretty excited as we made our way to Carlson's for homemade rootbeer and hotdogs. We had a great time at this place and enjoyed the warm hospitality offered to us by the owner! We headed across the street to Bubbles ice cream and had ice cream all around, courtesy of a generous donor from church who pressed some money in my hand told me to treat the kids. Thank you, Jay! We appreciate the treat and your support!!!

As you can imagine - chocolate, root beer and ice cream, plus a very good concert makes for some excited kids. They sang ALL the way from South Bend to Chicago... Ok, the middle schoolers sang and the high schoolers tried to tune them out.

We arrived late in the evening, exhausted, happy, and grateful for a nice hotel.

Tuesday Night...

2010-06-30T01:13:00.000-04:00

Day 4 and we're all into the rhythm of Tour. With the help of our stellar chaperones, VIP is making its way through a busy week.

Today's highlights:
- We had clean laundry ready (and at our doors), courtesy of those amazing junior and senior girls. (really, they're the only ones who could keep their eyes open last night to get it done.) Rumor has it that Courtney is a laundry mastermind....
- Playing with the kids at Newberry Center and putting on a concert for them. The Newberry Kids also performed for us and (by all accounts) showed us up with their stellar dance moves. They did several sacred pieces and then closed with Michael Jackson's "Thriler."
- Deep dish Chicago pizza for lunch. (YUM!)
- In the evening, the high schoolers served homeless individuals at Dignity Diner, and then the middle schoolrs joined us for a concert.
- Dinner at Portillo's and lots of celebrating of Elizabeth's birthday.

We have a busy day tomorrow and we're praying that Maegan and Dylan get their voices back. We need 'em singing but they've both been hit with a minor cold. (Nothing major, Moms and Dads!) With 3 concerts on our schedule tomorrow, we need to be at the top of our game. And in the spirit of preparation, it's off to bed for me.

We're trying to post pictures but our Flick account is error-filled. Ugh. We'll aim for an AM solution and sorry for the delay!

A Quick Note

2010-06-29T08:38:00.002-04:00

Good morning! A quick note from the hotel lobby to let you know we’re alive and well in Chicago! What a day yesterday was… so much to tell you and not enough time. From the soaring sounds of the Basilica at Notre Dame to the enthusiastic, fun, uplifting and fantastic concert at Camp Summit… a chocolate factory, homemade rootbeer, and a song-filled ride to the windy city. A short but good night’s sleep at the best continental breakfast ever.

More to come but we have to goooooooooo!

Day 2 - From Grace to Hope

2010-06-27T22:53:00.001-04:00

Day 2 of Choir Tour started bright and early worship services at 8:30am, 9:45am, and 11:11am at Grace UMC. Moving from service to service proved to be a whirlwind, but we made it!

Each service at this beautiful church had its own feel -- from casual worship on the lawn at the 8:30am to a traditional setting at 9:45am, and ending with a jazz service at 11:11. At the 9:45am service, we were joined by Grace's talented organist Jane Flora who accompanied us on "Praise the Lord." She was awesome! And at the 11:11am, we had the GREAT fun of singing with the Jim Pickley trio --- this group takes standard hymns and jazzes them up. I wasn't sure what to expect but they were AWESOME. They played with us on "Lift Your Light" (which we planned in advance) and also on "Praise His Holy Name" (which was impromptu). We had a ball!

Our plan was to pick up picnic lunches and head over to the East Race Waterway for some white water rafting this afternoon but a wild thunderstorm caused us to cancel. We had some disappointed VIPs, to be sure.

By 3:30, we were on the road again - this time to Hope Family Ministries, a shelter that provides housing and services to individuals and families in crisis. What's unique about Hope is that it has different floors for different types of people -- single men, single women, single parents with kids, and married couples with and without kids. We performed a concert/chapel service at this venue -- and while it started out with a small crowd, the folks kept coming and by the end of the concert, we had a nearly full house. We invited the audience to play percussion instruments on several songs and enjoyed watching them enjoy the experience. All in all, it was a pretty good concert and while there are still some musical enhancements to be made, the overall vibe of the service was just where we like it to be -- warm, uplifting, God-centered.

After the concert, we threw a pizza party for the residents and hung out with them. Then, it was off to the bowling alley for a few games. We had fun -- but we won't be joining a bowling league any time soon. With a few exceptions, we are shockingly bad bowlers.

Back to the hotel for Devo, this time led by Eric. He chose to focus on one of John Wesley's guidelines for singing, instead of a scripture. The choir had a good discussion about singing with an eye towards pleasing God and closed the day in prayer. Eric has put a lot of thought into his devotional, and really worked hard to share it with the choir.

They're off to bed and so am I. We have another early day tomorrow!

Ahead of Schedule in South Bend!

2010-06-26T22:40:00.001-04:00

We arrived safe and sound - and head of schedule - in South Bend, Indiana! The long-ish bus ride proved to be a nice time for VIPs to get to get to know one another better. Here are some of the things we learned:

Allison (Grade 6) is our youngest VIP, born in October of 1998.
Jeff (Grade 12) is our oldest VIP - he turns 19 in August.
Michael (Grade 8) is writing a movie script.
Ellie (Grade 8) has plans to be a tattoo artist when she grows up.
Mary Brooke (Grade 10) is a lifeguard and counts "saving a brick" as one of her accomplishments.
Carmen (Grade 11) has very small feet.
Shannon (Grade 8) loves the Indiana Jones movies.
Kaitlyn (Grade 8) wants to be an actress.
Ben (Grade 7) is hoping to see Mobsters in Chicago.
We have other stuff for this list but it's sort-of embarassing and out of respect for one another, we're not going to post it!

Also on the bus ride - we watched movies, played games, read, and some of us took the opportunity to nap... and had the experience of being photographed!
Once we got settled into the nice (and budget friendly) Country Inn and Suites, we walked over to Moe's Southwest Grill for dinner. Then, some of the group made a Target stop (no surprise there) while the rest of the VIPs returned back to the hotel for a quick swim before devotional.

Devotional.... nothing feels more like Tour than sitting on the floor of a hotel in Devotional, or "Devo" as some VIPs call it. Led by Junior Courtney Eversfield, today's devotional was awesome in so many ways. Courtney used the song, "One Song" as the inspiration for her devotional. This piece was part of VIP's Canada Tour (2004) and was the first piece that Courtney sang with VIP as a 6th grader in September 2004.

One song, like the one sung in heaven.

One song, united in love.

There will be no divsion.

Ev'ryone will belong

As we stand before Christ singing one song.

Courtney used the song along with 1 Corinthians 1:10

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

And led a discussion around these questions:

1.) Why is it important for us, as VIPs, to be united?

2.) What are some of the things that keep us connected to one another?

3.) How do we put this verse into action and help ensure that there are no divisions among us?

The responses from VIPs were warm, wonderful, and rich with the sort of genuine love and care with which these kids approach youth choir ministry and one another. They talked about how in VIP, they each have different strengths and weaknesses, how the whole is better than the sum of its parts, and we glorify God better as a group than we do as individuals.

Courtney really did a magnificent job. Her approach was perfect, and really, I couldn't be more proud of the way this 6-year VIP started off the "Live by Faith" Tour. She was AMAZING.

It was a GREAT opening to what will hopefully be a successful week!

Photos from Day 1

On Our Way!

2010-06-26T07:18:00.000-04:00

We're on our way! 31 singers, 8 chaperones, 2 bus drivers, 4 music stands, 2 guitars, 1 flute and 1 trombone-- and Noah Goliath Lee, our trusty digital piano. Oridinarily we don't name instruments, but when we take the piano on a plane, it rides in a passenger seat and the airline requires it to have a ticket and a name. So, the VIPs named it. Any 2008 VIPs remember why?

Pastor Don came and led all of thie parents and singers in a devotional, encouraging us to be good ambassadors for Christ, and focus our tour theme - Live by Faith. It's quite a thing to ask teenagers to do... And it will be exciting to see how the VIPs navigate the week ahead. We've already had our first detour- the ramp to 95 north is closed. Yikes. What other detours are in store this week?

Thanks for your support, prayers and good wishes during this Tour! South Bend, here we come!

Final Concert Schedule!

2010-06-21T05:35:00.000-04:00

Concert Schedule for Tour 2010, updated 6/2/2010

Voices In Praise is headed for South Bend, Indiana and Chicago, IL! Concerts marked with a * are ones that friends, families, and the general public are welcome to attend - we'd love to see you! All other concerts are outreach concerts for special, private audiences. Thank you for understanding and we hope to see you along the way.

Sunday, June 27
- Worship services at 8:30am*, 9:45am*, 11:11am* - Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive South Bend, IN 46614
- 5pm - Hope Ministries Family Life Center, South Bend, IN

Monday, June 28
- Worship service at 11:30am* - Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame University
- 6pm - Camp Summit Juvenile Boot Camp, LaPorte, IN

Tuesday, June 29
- Morning work projects and 11am concert - Marcy-Newberry Association, Chicago, IL
- Serving dinner and evening concert - Dignity Diner, part of Holy Covenant UMC, Chicago, IL

Wednesday, June 30
- 12pm* - Worship at First United Methodist church at the Chicago Temple
- 3pm - Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, Chicgao, IL
- 6pm*, Hancock Observatory

Thursday, July 1
- No concerts. Day of vocal rest.

Friday, July 2
- 2pm - Bethesda Home and Retirement Center, 2833 North Nordica Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634-4794
- 6:30pm* - Lincoln Park Community Shelter at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, Illinois

Live By Faith

2010-06-21T04:39:00.000-04:00

Every Tour gets a title - and coming up with one isn't nearly as easy as you might think! It goes on the cover of our program, Tour Book, and CD. It should resonate with us and with our audience. It has to fit the character of this choir. It should somehow help to steer us along the God-directed path that is choir tour. And it should not be lame. (Teenagers are very skilled at identifying things that are lame. It's a sort-of sixth sense....)

And so in 5 short days, Voices In Praise will embark upon the "Live By Faith" Tour. Nice ring, huh?

Tour titles have always emerged from our music and this year is no exception but I'm surprised at the piece that it came from. "Bow the Knee" is a contemporary anthem that we performed on Ash Wednesday. I didn't intend to add it to the Tour repertoire but I had so many VIP Parents and VIPs say that this was their favorite song that I added it to our line-up.

I decided to ask my husband, Adam, to play guitar and for Mary Flora to play flute because when we sing at Notre Dame's Basilica we have to perform sans keyboard. With some pieces, you can drop the piano part without too much fuss - this is NOT one of those pieces. So, Adam and Mary put their amazing talents to work to write parts. The result is an arrangement that just takes your breath away.

In listening to the gentle sounds of the classical guitar and the flute, the words that we've been singing for months just took on new meaning: "Don't forget we live by faith and not by sight." Sound familiar? :-) I'll share that another day....

As this new week begins, what an opportunity VIP has to live by faith. Thank you for keeping our singers in thought and prayer this week as they enter the final stages of preparation for our music missions tour.

Groups and Roommates

2010-06-08T22:22:00.001-04:00

Groups and roommate assignments are done! Check 'em out here.

Concert at Asbury

2010-06-08T18:38:00.004-04:00

We had a concert last night at Asbury Retirement Community in Solomons, MD. This warm and welcoming community has hosted us numerous times and we're grateful for their hospitality and the opportunities they give us to sing. Below are a few pictures from the night.

Thank you, Asbury, for letting us come! We'll see you again on September 18. (Yes, VIPs - we have an early morning performance. Mark those calendars!)

Juniors and Seniors

Tara's heel is stuck -- again.

Admiring the sunset - Holly's favorite picture!

Under Construction!

2010-06-02T08:08:00.002-04:00

We're making major changes to the VIP Website! Thanks for your patience while we are under construction.

Thank You, Sears in Bowie!

2010-05-19T06:19:00.000-04:00

Hooray for Sears in Bowie! I stopped in yesterday looking for a gift for our singers for Tour. I found it! More than that -- I found a store manager in Alejandro "Al" McClain who delivered an experience that was so over-the-top-awesome that I had to write about it.

I walked up to the cash register (item in hand) and said: Hey, do you have any more of these?
Nice guy at the register: I can check. How many are you looking for?
Me: About 40. {Nice guy at the register looks a little shocked.}
Me: I have this youth choir and every other year we go on tour and we sing at places like homeless shelters and hospitals and ...

I went on to explain who we are, what we do, and why I needed 40 of this item. And when I was done, this very nice guy at the register said, "Youth choir, huh? Well, I'm the store manager and I'm going to help you. Whatever that price tag says, we're going to take 50% off. Now, let's see if we can find 40 of these."

It was my turn to be shocked. I was floored at the kindness and generosity of this person. I didn't know he was the store manager - but I was really glad he was there!

Unfortunately, they didn't have 40 in stock. Al searched high and low and we just couldn't find what we needed. Visits to other stores were unsuccessful so when I went back to the Bowie store, I planned to thank Al for his time and continue my quest. I was pretty bummed. And tired. I had done everything I could to make it work and it was time to give up -- and I hate giving up.

But Al wouldn't hear of it. By the time the night was over, I had what I needed. And Al's generosity resulted in a total cost savings of more than $650. Can you believe that?

More than that, Al delivered a level of customer service that I have rarely seen. We searched for HOURS to find what I wanted. He adopted my quest as his own. He took my vision and made it his own personal mission-- and he did it with incredible kindness, respect, patience, and joy. You don't find that every day.

On the back of Al's business card, this Vision Statement is printed:

Sears Holdings is committed to improving the lives of our customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships.

Lots of places have these types of statements. But Al made it a reality. I've had some interesting experiences at Sears over the years and until yesterday, I wouldn't say that I was a huge fan. Al has changed that forever. If other Sears store managers are half as fantastic as Al, this company is going to do very well for a very long time.

I'll be back to the Sears in Bowie and I'd encourage all of you to give your business to them whenever possible. Next time you're looking for appliances, power tools, home goods, whatever -- please give Sears a try. And if you see Store Manager Al McClain, please tell him again that Holly and VIP say a very big "Thank you!"

Concert Schedule for Tour 2010, updated 6/2/2010

2010-04-29T21:14:00.003-04:00

Concerts are still coming together for VIP's 2010 Choir Tour, but here's the latest info about where we'll be singing.
Concerts marked with a * are ones that friends, families, and the general public are welcome to attend - we'd love to see you! All other concerts are outreach concerts for special, private audiences. Thank you for understanding as we reach out to others with music and God's message!

Sunday, June 27
- Worship services at 8:30am*, 9:45am*, 11:11am* - Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive South Bend, IN 46614
- 5pm - Hope Ministries Family Life Center, South Bend, IN

Monday, June 28
- Worship service at 11:30am* - Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame University
- 6pm - Camp Summit Juvenile Boot Camp, LaPorte, IN

Tuesday, June 29
- Morning work projects and 11am concert - Marcy-Newberry Association, Chicago, IL
- Serving dinner and evening concert - Dignity Diner, part of Holy Covenant UMC, Chicago, IL

Wednesday, June 30
- 12pm* - Worship at First United Methodist church at the Chicago Temple
- 3pm - Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, Chicgao, IL
- 6pm*, Hancock Observatory

Thursday, July 1
- No concerts. Day of vocal rest.

Friday, July 2
- 2pm - Bethesda Home and Retirement Center, 2833 North Nordica Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634-4794
- 6:30pm* - Lincoln Park Community Shelter at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, Illinois

Shared Soundtracks

2010-04-24T06:45:00.002-04:00

So, in an earlier post, I talked about the soundtrack of our lives…and it's interesting to think about how they're formed.

At that lock-in rehearsal that VIP had, Sandy Griese scooped up “The Prayer of Saint Francis” and said to me, "Do you remember learning this piece?" Sure. I was at Music and Arts Camp at Lebanon Valley College (on a scholarship provided by the amazing and generous folks at Mt. Harmony UMC). I was 14 or 15 years old, and I remember learning it and thinking, "This entrance is so high that I will never get it right."

I said this to Sandy and she replied. "No, you didn't. That's not when you learned this song." Um... say what?

As she usually is, Sandy was right. She first taught me the piece nearly 2 decades ago when I sang in her Sanctuary Choir at Smithville United Methodist Church. Surrounded by wonderful, warm, kind singers who were old enough to be my parents and grandparents, I learned a lot of music from a director who cut me no slack - and exposed me to some incredible pieces.

As Sandy dusted the cobwebs from my memory, it suddenly came back to me and I realized why I had forgotten that high entrance. I didn’t sing it. In Sandy's choir, I was an alto. At summer camp, I was signed up as a soprano. Same song, different part.

In Sandy's choir, the opening pages of the piece were sung by a wonderful soprano soloist, who happened to be (very) pregnant at that time of the performance.

Ready for the cool part? Ready to see just how God moves in our lives, using music to bring people together?

That soprano soloist was Martha Umhau -- and the baby who witnessed the piece from the womb is Blaire, a member of VIP’s graduating class of 2009 and sister to Bennett (VIP '07) and Mary Brooke (VIP '12).

There was a special joy in listening to Sandy tell this story, realizing that this piece of music is part of her soundtrack, part of mine, part of Martha's, (in a different way - part of Blaire's), and now it will be part of Mary Brooke's. I am thankful for the ways God connects us and uses music for his perfect purposes. What a privilege it is to be part of his plan, and carry this music and its message forward.

So, what soundtracks do you share with others? And how were they formed?

Easter Music - Enjoy!

2010-04-13T21:55:00.000-04:00

The Soundtrack of Your Life

2010-04-02T21:52:00.001-04:00

Someone once told me that just like a movie, each of our lives has a "soundtrack." It's the music that goes with the stories of our lives. For people who sing in a choir, the music that they sing becomes part of the soundtrack, too.

Last Friday, VIP had a "lock-in" that kicked off with rehearsal. (A lock-in is a church name for "slumber party.") Since our regular accompanist, Brie, was out of town, our church organist, Sandy Griese, came to fill in. She spied a piece of music and said, "Oh, I love that piece." So do I. Written by Alan Pote, it is a musical setting of the "Prayer of Saint Francis:"

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, Thy pardon, Lord.
Where there is doubt, let there be faith.

Oh, Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there's despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let there be light,
Where there is sadness, let there be joy.

{I'll save the rest of the text and the background story for another post!}

When Brie and I were choosing music for the choir year, it was the text of this piece that pulled at our hearts... and we talked about the fact that this (this!) is what VIP tries to do through its music ministry and especially when we're on tour. When we travel, we go into some places that can seem... a little bleak... a little sad.... a little broken. It's our job to change that. To be messengers of hope, beacons of light, and sources of joy-- to help people through the process of exchanging doubt for faith.

What's always ironic to me is that if you look closely at places that seem bleak, you'll always find little slivers of hope, joy, light and love. I remember once we were singing at a Nursing Center, and after our concert, some of the staff asked if we could come to the secure ward, where we would find patients with severe dementia and Alzheimer's. For their safety, the patients couldn't leave the secure area, which happened to be in a basement.

We did a few of our regular pieces and then started to sing hymns. And you could feel something shift in the room. The patients sat up a little straighter and all of a sudden, they were singing along. In the Garden, Amazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross. These individuals, who suffered from some of the most severe forms of memory loss, knew every word and sang with gusto. Family members who were visiting the patients stood with tears in their eyes as they watched their loved ones momentarily resurface from the darkness of illness. There was great, unbelievable hold-your-breath joy.

That's the soundtrack -- buried deep within us, so that even when we've forgotten nearly everything else, we still know how the music goes.

.

All That Jazz

2010-03-15T17:42:00.002-04:00

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You Win Some, You Lose Some...

2010-03-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

Well, as you may remember, we sent in an audition video a few weeks ago to try and sing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field. I called today to follow up and I'm bummed to report that while our audition met all their criteria, the Cubs can't offer us the opportunity to sing the anthem during the four days when we're in Chicago.

It's just one of those things - the Cubs have a certain number of anthem slots and a larger number of singers who want them. I asked them to keep us in mind in case anything changes and they happily agreed to keep our info on file.

You win some, you lose some...

Bring It

2010-03-04T07:37:00.001-05:00

What sort of stuff should be in this blog?

That was one the topics of conversation last night in my car as Eric, Mary Brooke, Kaya and I led a caravan of high schoolers to Wards United Methodist Church. This large, predominantly African American church is located just a few minutes from Friendship -- and we had agreed to sing there as part of a community worship service with other UM churches.

When you're visiting another church, you never know exactly what you're going to get - and last night was no exception. VIP warmed up with the talented, gracious and versatile Bob Snider, who had come to accompany us. (Hooray for Bob!) And then we had a team huddle. I told them the truth. There was no bulletin. No pre-planned order for the service. No selected hymns. Or pianist for the service. Or music stand. Or.. or - anything of the things we expect when we enter a church to participate in a worship service. I let VIP know: We have no clue what's going to happen or when it's going to happen. Be flexible. Follow me. Stay together. We'll be fine. And this group of singers just grinned - this was going to be interesting.

See, VIP usually performs well. But they have a special knack for performing well in situations that are... a little chaotic... unplanned....wild... a little who-knows-what's-about-to-happen-so-you-better-hang-on. We find ourselves in situations like that all the time on Choir Tour and as crazy as it may sound, I appreciate the opportunity. You can sort-of feel God saying, "So, this is not what you expected. What are you going to do?" And while it would be easy to freak out or panic or freeze, I think VIP tilts its collective head and says, "Bring it." We know what God's calling us to do and we're ready to deliver.

It helped that we had Byron and Bob with us. They're both amazing at what they do and while I think there was this collective sense of "Yikes," we're a strong worship team. We're not going to let a few curve balls keep us from having a grand slam worship service. Maybe God sometimes throws those balls just to make sure we know how to hit 'em.

We opened with a lovely piece by Craig Courtney called "Amazing Grace" with the words from the traditional hymn but not the tune. It's a beautiful song, with a lilting, Irish-esque feel to it. It's deceptively difficult but well worth the effort and as VIP sang the last note, the audience erupted into cheers and clapping. That was nice - but they hadn't seen anything yet.

Our second piece was a dynamic spiritual called "Lift Your Light" that weaves the old favorite "This Little Light of Mine" with a new melody. This is (probably) the choir's favorite piece in their folders right now and they could sing it all day long. It opens with a rich gospel a cappella section and then breaks out into this uptempo piece that just lifts you right up -- and that's what it did last night. The audience rose to its feet as VIP did what no one expects a choir like ours to do: we sang those rich gospel harmonies and we moved. The "step touch" is a staple of gospel singing and VIP can groove and move with the best of them.

As the conductor, I can't see exactly what's going on behind me but the audience is always reflected in the eyes of the choir. VIP lit up. And as the audience's cheers grew louder, so did VIP. By the time we hit the final line, there was more vocal praise, more whopping, and more clapping than I've heard in a long time.When we were done, I turned and the whole crowd seemed to be on its feet. I'm not sure who was smiling more: VIP or the audience. You could just feel your soul radiate with joy, warmed with the knowledge that what you'd just done was pleasing to God and to his people.

As I drove home, I could feel myself still smiling as I thought, "That was not what I expected -- and I wouldn't change a thing." I'm so grateful to Wards for letting us come sing and for the warm way they welcomed us to their church. At the end of the service, one of the visiting lay leaders, Mrs. Jones took roll of all the churches present. (Mrs. Jones happens to be one of my fourth grade teachers, but that's another story.) There were 15 churches present! Can you believe that? What a fun experience to come together on a cold and rainy night and hang out with some awesome, awesome people from different corners of our community.

Later in the evening, I was touched to receive this note, which I'll share with you now:

Holly:

Anne and I were very moved by the performance of the VIP’s tonight at Ward’s Church. You really “rocked the house”. Thank you for your leadership; and please thank the very talented young women and men who did so well representing themselves and Friendship Church! It is not easy to move into another culture and make such a strong and positive impact. You did it so very well!

Grace and Peace,

Don and Anne Stewart

VIP Lock-in

2010-02-24T08:17:00.001-05:00

Fri., March 26 at 8pm – Sat., March 27 at 8am

Choir Council is planning a VIP Lock-In to take place at FUMC on Friday, March 26 at 8pm – Saturday, March 27 at 8am.

The event will kick-off with rehearsal at 8pm on Friday, and then we’ll spend the rest of the evening playing games, watching movies, and hanging out.

While all VIPs are welcome to attend, this event is especially geared for singers going on Tour. Council wanted you to have some time to get to know one another a little better before we set out for Chicago.

Please wear comfortable, appropriate loungewear (i.e., sweat pants and a Tshirt) and bring a sleeping bag and pillow. (Note: when it’s time to sleep, boys and girls will be in separate rooms.)

Parents, we need chaperones to come hang out. If you want to spend the night with us, please let Holly know