Pneuma Childrens' Music Ministry

Pneuma Sings Next Sunday, April 10 at 11:00am!

2011-04-04T13:24:00.008-04:00

Hey folks!

Pneuma will have two more rehearsals, Wednesdays April 6 and 13, to prepare for their last services they'll sing for this season. We'll meet this Sunday, April 10 at 10:30 in the choir room ready to sing. Since Pneuma, YouthPraise AND the Chancel Choir will be singing, we'll need to use every moment as well as we can (so please be there on time!). Pneuma will be singing the prelude and offertory (at the 11:00 am service ONLY - not at 8:30 at all). For the prelude, they'll come in the sanctuary with the Pnuema staff and go straight up to the piano side of the pulpit and sing and then go sit with their parents until the first note of their song, "God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale" is played by the bells. They should have plenty of time to walk to their place to the piano side of the pulpit (which means you'll want to sit on the piano side so you can see them best!) in time to sing their 2 stanzas. While the Chancel Choir sings the third stanza, they'll make their way back to your seat. I hope you can all make it (and further hope you'll RSVP to ronnalford@bellsouth.net to let me know for sure!!!) and am confident you'll all enjoy the fruits of their work this season. Their will be one more rehearsal after that, Wednesday April 13 so that we can prepare a sing for Palm Sunday and help close up the season. Don't forget to have your singer in their uniform (Pneuma shirts and khakis - shirts will be provided for those who don't have one at no cost). Thanks for all your help and support, R

Pneuma Struggles with Spring Growth

2011-03-08T14:54:00.006-05:00

Hey folks! While Carrie-Beth will continue to lead her wonderful Sunday morning singing sessions for the Sunday School Assembly at 9:30-9:45am, Pneuma will meet again next Wednesday, March 16 at its usual time, 6:30pm. Our numbers have been down a bit, what with the great weather we're all enjoying and the games and crafts program that's attracting so much attention. So! If you're interested in keeping a Pneuma Choir program going through Palm Sunday, bring your singer this coming Wednesday night, March 16. If we have more than 6, we'll continue through the following rehearsals: Wednesdays March 16, 23 and 30; April 6 and 13. We hope to sing in worship for Palm Sunday for both services and hope you will all support this last effort of the season. There is no Pneuma rehearsal tonight so that each family can celebrate Ash Wednesday together. Blessings, R

Two Wednesdays Ago

2011-02-15T10:32:00.004-05:00

Well, folks, we're getting ready to sing for our Wednesday Night Supper gathering on March 16. We'll meet in the choir room at 6:10pm and sing right at 6:20pm so we can be finished before the service begins. See you there!

Getting Ready for the Filming

2011-02-15T10:16:00.000-05:00

Sunday Mornings - Sunday School Assembly Time

2010-11-17T14:00:00.002-05:00

One more quick thought (be sure to read the post under this as well!):

The remaining Sunday mornings between now and the Party on December 8, we'll be working on the songs for the party at the time for Sunday School Assembly, so help your singer to be there on time from 9am-9:15am in Room 8. Thanks for all of your help and support!

Schedule for the rest of 2010

2010-11-17T13:58:00.000-05:00

Pneuma Parents:

Only one more rehearsal – Saturday, December 4 from 3-4:30pm. Come dressed in comfortable, nice school clothes (preferably no T-shirts).

We will be shooting the last of the video for our skit.

Wednesday, December 8 Church Wide Christmas Party

5:45pm dinner
6pm (Combo warms up)
6:10pm Combo heads to gym; Pneuma, YouthPraise and Chancel Choir Warms up in Choir Room
6:18pm Pneuma, YouthPraise and Chancel Choir heads back to Gym to sit with their parents until time for the skit
6:20pm Combo starts playing
Program continues with Congregation singing Carols
Bells play Deck the Halls
Skit begins; Pneuma sings, YouthPraise sings “Impressions” near the end and “In the Bleak” with Chancel Choir at the end
Bells help us finfish with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
(Chancel Choir Rehearsal follows as soon as we can get to Choir Room)

Complete Director's Blocking Script

2010-10-27T15:09:00.002-04:00

Parents: Don’t forget, you can find the latest edition of the script (and sometimes cool pictures) at: http://pneumanotes.blogspot.com

List of Wednesday Rehearsals: 17 November and 1 December

Extra Called Rehearsal: Saturday, 4 December at 3pm

Dress: Since we are going to video the dialogue during rehearsals

(and especially during the Saturday, Dec 4 rehearsal),

your child can wear their Christmas Best for the concert portion that will be live the night of theChurch wide Christmas Party (December 8). The video of the dialogue will be projected onto the wall where you and your family can watch your child saying the dialogue (with great amplification that should help you to hear every word) while the others do interesting interpretative motions. The children will then sing the songs live (in their Christmas Best).

Volunteer: We need a good camcorder to record the singing that night so that we can edit together a video, which each family will receive a week or so after the party.

The remaining rehearsals are extremely important since we’ll be filming portions of the script each of the remaining three times we’ll rehearse.

Sunday School Assembly: Carrie-Beth Atkinson leads this awesome time of singing on Sunday mornings just before Sunday School in Room 8. We hope to teach some of the songs for the concert during this time as well, so we hope your singer will be able to attend these special sessions.

Sundays remaining: 14, 21 and 28 November; 5 December

The kids will still need your help memorizing the songs (especially Songs 3, 4 and 6 since they sing these by themselves). If you haven’t already received a CD, let us know as soon as you can and we’d be glad to get you one.

Listening to these can help a lot!

Why video the dialogue and drama?

To help keep stress and rehearsal time down during the Holidays

and to help preserve the memories forever!

Why the Chimes Rang

SONG: Westminster Bells (Deck the Halls while the eating is still going on)

1. (David) There was once, in a far-away country, where few people have ever traveled, a [spreads arms out in front of him, palms up as if to indicate our congregation] wonderful church.

2. (Orion) It stood on a [others look up shielding eyes towards a spot on the wall to the left] high hill in the midst of a great [half group group looks left, other half right, crossing] city

3. (Grace Gandy) Every Sunday, also on special days, like Christmas, thousands of people climbed the hill to its great [hands go up framing archway] archways.

4. (Frankie) They looked like [all group gets in line follows leader; David?] lines of ants, all moving in the same direction.

5. (Orion) When you arrived at the church, there were [all scan from eye height to high] tall stone columns and tall doors.

6. (Ava)Inside, looking where the congregation sat, you could barely [all shield eyes, looking far toward the middle of the back of the hall]see where the choir stood behind the marble altar.

7. (Lucy) To the right of the choir [all look back toward front, to the right] was the organ. It was so loud that people from miles around would close their shutters and prepare for a great thunderstorm. [Most cover their ears, 2 fall down]

SONG 2: (Congregational) The First Noel – stanza 1

8. (Ava) The strangest thing about this church was the wonderful bells in the bell tower. There were no steps [half shake head “no” ] leading to the bells and no rope [other half shake heads “no” ]to pull them.

9. (Grace Watson) The bells that rang at Christmas time were untouched [all reach out then hide hands behind backs] by human hands.

10. (Lucy) This bell tower rose so high into the sky that the top was covered with clouds. [Most strain to see high up]

11. (Elizabeth) Because this bell tower was built a hundred years ago, no one remembered how tall it was. [Matthew tries to climb over the others to see]

12. (Frankie) The bells in the tower only [waves index finger back and forth] rang on Christmas Eve.

13. (Ava) Old people who remembered hearing the bells said they sounded like angels [half crane hands to ears to hear] way up in the sky, or like strange wind, singing through the tall trees.[Other half make wind motions with hands]

14. (David) No one had heard the bells for years and years. Still, at Christmas Eve all the people would bring to the church their offerings to the Christ child, hoping to hear them.

15. (Elizabeth) [Steps toward audience]That’s right. And when the greatest and best offering was laid on the altar [half mime laying things on “altar”], one could hear the bells way up in the tower. [Half crane to listen and smile] They could be heard over the choir and the organ.

16. (Matthew) Some said the wind rang them. [All make wind sounds and do wind hand motions]

17. (David) Others thought the angels set them swinging. [3 on each side are his wings, he motions as if moving a bell]

18. (Kinsey) That’s true. But, sadly, for many long years they had never been heard. [All crane to listen, then say “Awww!”]

19. (Caroline) It was thought that people had not been generous in their gifts for the Christ child. Apparently, no offering was brought to the altar that was valuable enough to make the bells ring. [All sigh]

20. (Kinsey)That’s right, yet still every Christmas Eve the rich people crowded to the altar, trying to bring a gift that was better than anyone else’s.

21. (Caroline) [Steps forward] Yes. They gave gifts out of their own pride. They were show-offs. [All tsk tsk and shake their heads negative] Maybe this Christmas Eve would be different.

SONG 3: The Wise May Bring Their Learning, stanza 1

Big Sister (Allie) Little Sister, let’s go to the Christmas Eve service at the church. We can walk there and be back without worrying our parents. I have heard it said that sometimes the Christ child comes down to bless the service. What if we were able to see Him?

SONG 4: Emmanuel, Emmanuel Twice with Pneuma, then add congregation for third time

Little Sister (Anna) [Mimes putting one on] We can wear our warm coats and hear the wonderful choir and organ. [Allie beams] Many are walking from our town. Mother and Father, who can’t come, will know we will be safe.

Big Sister (Allie) There’s snow on the ground, [holds hand out as if testing for the snow]but none coming down, so we can make it for the Christmas Eve service. [Reaches in pocket, holds up coin]I have a coin I’ve saved that we can put on the altar for the Christ child. Hold my hand, little Sister; it’s beginning to be dark.[They hold hands and walk a few paces, maybe around a table]

Little Sister (Anna) Look at the path ahead of us. [She points to secondary stage] Do you see what I see?

Big Sister (Allie) [They rush forward and kneel down] Let me kneel down closer. Oh, this is a poor woman who fell down. She must have been too tired to walk any farther. Look at her face. She looks like the Madonna in the chapel window.

Little Sister (Anna) What shall we do, big Sister? [Dismay]

Big Sister (Allie) I will stay with her and rub her to keep her warm. You go to the church. When you come back you can bring someone to help her. [Takes the bun out] Perhaps I can get her to eat the bun that is left in my pocket. Hurry now; follow the lights from the church. You’ll easily find your way. You must see and hear everything twice, Little Sister – once for you and once for me.

Little Sister (Anna) [With some fear] You won’t see the Christmas festival and I have to go alone?

Big Sister (Allie) I am sure The Christ child knows how much I would love to come with you and worship Him; and oh! If you get a chance, Little Sister, slip up to the altar without getting in anyone’s way. Take this little silver piece [gives it to her] of mine, and lay it down for my offering when no one is looking. Do not forget where you have left me, and forgive me for not going with you. Hurry! The organ is playing now.

SONG 6: Get Ready with soli and / or duets

22. (David) Little Sister reached the church. [Singers are lined to make it hard to squeeze through, hands up as if holding hymnals] Inside she squeezed between people to be near the altar. There she watched rich men and great men parade down the aisle to proudly lay down their gifts to the Christ child. [All watch the imaginary processional] Some brought jewels, some baskets of gold. [For each line mime some coming forward to bring those things] A writer laid down a book that had taken him years to write. [One brings one forward, holding it up high and looking proud] Finally, the king of the country came, hoping like all the rest to win for himself the chime of the Christmas bells. He took off his crown and a great murmur went through the church. [Does so with the crown] All were expecting to hear the bells ring. [All look expectant]

SONG 7: (Congregation) We Three Kings; stanzas 1 and 5

23. (David) [All inhale together and hold on to each other] Nothing happened. [Crowd says “Awwwww.”] The choir began the closing hymn.

SONG 8: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (just a few words – stop on “song of”)

24. (Caroline) Suddenly the organist stopped playing. [Elbow hits keys] The people saw the old minister, standing by the altar holding up his hand for silence. [All look there] The congregation hushed [Crowd inhales together] and listened. [All crane ears]

25. (Kinsey) Softly, but distinctly, [Group gradually show surprise and smiles] swinging through the air, the sound of the Christmas chimes began, high in the tower (Bells begin ringing change), becoming louder and louder.

(Westminster Bells play Impressions as YouthPraise sings)

26. (Kinsey) [Steps forward] What made the bells ring?

(Music begins for In the Bleak)

27. (Elizabeth) The people near the altar could only see a small girl [Anna does the actions] who had crept softly down the aisle when no one was looking, and had laid a little silver coin on the altar.

SONG: In the Bleak Midwinter; stanza 1 = YouthPraise; rest are Chancel Choir

Pastor speaks

SONG 9: (Congregation) Joy to the World – 1^st and last stanzas

Benediction

Bells play We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Version 1.3 111010

And now...

2010-10-19T11:08:00.003-04:00

I felt the kids did a fantastic job for Childrens' Sabbath and I know we're all very proud of these great kids! Last Wednesday we had auditions: congratulations to Allie (Big Sister) and Anna (Little Sister). Every singer has at least one line, even our smallest! This Wednesday night we'll be handing out our Script version 1.1; be sure to ask your singer for it after the rehearsal! We'll be depending on you to help them memorize their lines and we will have a running number tracker off to the side where the kids can see it so they will know where their line is coming up. For example, David has line 1, Orion 2, Grace 3 etc. Thanks and blessings for all your support! R

Remaining Rehearsals: Oct 20, 27; (None on Nov 3) Nov 10, 17; Dec 1 (this last one is at 6pm since there is no Church Night Supper; try to have your singer fed before we start!)

Childrens' Sabbath!

2010-10-19T11:04:00.004-04:00

Lyrics for Sunday's Anthem

2010-10-07T16:26:00.000-04:00

Chatter with the Angels soon in the morning

Chatter with the angels in that land

Chatter with the angels soon in the morning

Chatter with the angels join the band

I hope to join the band and chatter with the angels all day long!

March with the angels soon in the morning

March with the angels in that land

March with the angels soon in the morning

March with the angels join the band

I hope to join the band and march with the angels all day long!

(Spoken): Chatter, chatter, march, march

Chatter, chatter, march, march

Dance, dance, dance!

(Sung:) Chatter with the Angels soon in the morning

Chatter with the angels in that land

Chatter with the angels soon in the morning

Chatter with the angels join the band!

2 more pictures!

2010-09-30T13:41:00.003-04:00

Ask your singer what these pictures are about - maybe they can even sing you the song they go with!!

Fall!

2010-09-30T13:33:00.002-04:00

Fall 2010
Hello! We still need registration forms for several of our singers. We especially need them for our new singers so that we can have enough T-shirts for each singer. We will be singing at the 11:00 service October 3, Children’s Sabbath. They will be singing the Call to Worship and the Anthem at this special service dedicated to children.

We will all gather in the choir room at 10:40am prior to the 11:00 service. Since the Chancel Choir will still be rehearsing, we ask that you enter the choir room quietly and take your seat behind Mr. Ronn. Once all our singers are in place, we’ll get ready. Please be on time so we don’t have to wait on you!

I think we have a fine bunch of singers and I look forward to our Christmas program which will be held at our Church wide Christmas Party Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30pm. The Church Band will accompany many of our favorite carols and many children will play piano duet. In addition, our Pneuma production, “Why the Chimes Rang” will be staged in the gym.

Please have your singer at each rehearsal and let us know as soon as possible if they won’t be able to make it!
Thanks and blessings for your support!

A little artwork

2010-01-11T16:34:00.005-05:00

Just a little artwork from our first arrival activities. Look for more tomorrow!

2010-01-06T15:41:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! Our first rehearsal is only a few days away! We'll be starting again at 3:45pm with great Arrival Activities; you won't want to miss this first week since we'll be starting our Attendance Crosses and all of the new music for the first two times we'll sing in worship this year. See you soon! R

Nov 22 2009 Rehearsal

2010-01-06T11:19:00.007-05:00

Nov 11 2009 Rehearsals

2010-01-06T11:02:00.003-05:00

Thought I'd share these from one of our November rehearsals!

Cantata anthem!

2009-12-16T15:42:00.003-05:00

Remember, we'll show up Wednesday from 8-maybe 8:30pm and then again Sunday afternoon at 12:15 to eat a snack lunch, or at 12:30 prompt to start rehearsal. This will be our last rehearsal of the year and will end at 1:30pm, to be back in the evening at 5:30pm for our 6pm Cantata. See you soon! Blessings, R

Great Job Sunday!

2009-10-14T11:51:00.003-04:00

Hey folks! Great job these last two Sundays! This last Sunday was even better than the week before, which set us up well for another great rehearsal. We're working on Ken Medema's "Lost Coin". The youngest choir, Joyful Noise, will sing the Chorus/Refrain and the rest (grades 2-5) will sing the verses. We'll be working on the pieces from "Wise Guys and Starry Skies" as well, with 4 tunes for Joyful Noise, 7 for grades 2-3 and 10 for the 5th graders.

We'll have CD's for everyone at the next rehearsal, as well as scripts appropriate for each group. Each week, the order for rehearsal will be: 3-3:45 5th grade only (speaking parts, singing and blocking) 3:45-4pm All arrive; Mission oriented arrival activities 4-4:30 Jeanette in Rm 8 ( 2-3 grade); Carrie Beth Atkinson in Choir Room (Joyful Noise); Matt Hamilton in Horton Hall (4-5 grade) 4:30-5:00 Jeanette (4-5 g); Ronn in Choir Room (2-3 g); Matt (Joyful Noise) 5:00-5:30 Jeanette (JN), Ronn (4-5g); Matt (2-3g)

Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions -- ronnalford@bellsouth.net

Sunday 11am and Auditions for Hallelujah at 3:45pm

2009-10-07T12:39:00.002-04:00

Hey folks!

Just a quick reminder that we sing and ring again this coming Sunday morning, October 11 at the 11:00 am service. We'll meet in the Sanctuary with our Pneuma T-shirts and khakis ready to sing at 10:30 prompt. We will seat the singers on the piano side in the front three rows (and we will sing from the piano side, so you may want to sit on that side in order to be able to see them well!). I felt that the children did well for only having a couple of rehearsals and look forward to making this coming Sunday even better!

Schedule Concerns and Changes:
Auditions for Kathie Hill's Children's Christmas Musical, "Wise Guys and Starry Skies" will begin for Hallelujah this Sunday afternoon. The speaking parts will go to this year's 5th graders, with a couple of singing solos and one line speaking parts to the 2nd and 3rd graders. Joyful Noise will learn a smaller number of songs and won't have to worry with the stress of learning lines.

Speaking parts: In order to audition for a speaking role, please realize what a time commitment this is and how important each actress is to the group. Each person who gets a role will need to arrive at each of the remaining Sunday rehearsals (October 18, 25; November 8, 15, 22) at 3pm to work on their lines and their blocking (movement and motions). In addition, should any of them need to miss a rehearsal, we will depend on you to let us know as soon as possible.

Recordings: I downloaded my CD from the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Wise-Guys-And-Starry-Skies/dp/B0013GPHMQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1254934201&sr=8-4

I had mine in just a matter of seconds ( I was really surprised at the speed!). If you're sure about doing this by yourself on the net, I'll be glad to help you download and burn a CD from it. I think you'll really like the music again this year (and you can listen to the tracks at the link provided).

Email me at ronnalford@bellsouth.net if you have any questions. Thanks and blessing for your support, Ronn

Jesus Loves Me - Sign Language

2009-09-30T11:41:00.003-04:00

Hey folks,

Wanted to post the sign language so you all could practice for the next two Sundays since we don't have a Sunday afternoon rehearsal on October 4. See you tonight for Hallelujah's 1st presentation of the year and everybody Sunday at 8am! Blessings, R

Hallelujah to sing Wednesday; Pneuma sings Sunday at 8:30am

2009-09-29T17:29:00.002-04:00

Hey folks!

Hallelujah (grades 2-5) will sing this Wednesday night at the service. Singers should gather in the choir room at 6:20pm.

Both groups will sing this coming Sunday, October 4, at the 8:30am service (gather in the choir room at 8:15am) and October 11 at the 11:00 service (gather at 10:45am).

No rehearsal October 4th in the afternoon, but we'll resume October 11 at 3:45pm.

See you Sunday! Blessings, R

1000 words

2009-09-08T12:25:00.002-04:00

Make your reservations now!!

Pneuma Folks at VBS

2009-07-22T10:35:00.003-04:00

VBS 2009 was a great success; Pneuma singers were at the core of making it all work as you can see in these great pictures. Don't forget our Q&A meeting with Jeanette tonight, Wednesday, July 22 at 6pm!

Newest Furture Pneuma-ite!

2009-06-22T10:40:00.003-04:00

Hey folks! Just couldn't resist the opportunity to post this picture of the newest member of our extended Pneuma family, Katie, being held by her sister Anna Everly. Congratulations!!

Palm Sunday and Planning

2009-04-13T11:22:00.002-04:00

Hey folks - just thought I'd post these pictures from Palm Sunday! Looking forward to seeing you all for a Parent's meeting next Sunday, April 19 at 3:45pm. We'll meet to discuss where we want to go in the next school year. See you soon!

Seven More Days!

2009-03-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

Hey folks - we're all looking forward to singing at both services next week (see the drawing by Emily Edwards for more information)! We'll then have two weeks off from afternoon rehearsals and then a Parent Meeting and a special activity for our kids at 3:45pm on Sunday, April 19, the Sunday after Easter. See you there!!

One more rehearsal left!

2009-03-23T14:37:00.002-04:00

Our attendance was quite a bit larger at the Pneuma rehearsal yesterday afternoon. We sang several songs, focusing on the ones we’ll sing for Palm Sunday, April 5, at both services. Mr. Matt directed us through two skits highlighting the Upper Room and the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I think it’s fantastic that these kids not only get to hear the scripture but that they get to walk and talk through it; to live through it. What a great way to see and to understand what was going on! Next Sunday, March 29 will be our last rehearsal before Palm Sunday, so we’ll really need to have everyone there. On the 5th, we’ll meet at 8:15 and 10:45 promptly with our Pneuma shirts and khakis on (new shirts will be provided for those singers joining us since the last time in worship). See you there!
Pneuma won’t be rehearsing on the afternoons of Palm Sunday or Easter and we’ll have a parents meeting the next Sunday, April 19 at 3:45pm in Horton Hall. We’ll be shaping the future of the program together, so I’m sure all our parents will want to attend!

By the way, the dates for Vacation Bible School Safari have been set for July 12-16. If you’d like to be a part of our Motion Team, let me know right away. All that’s required is a love of kids and a desire to have fun together (while jumping around a bit!).

When a picture is worth a thousand words...

2009-03-15T16:27:00.001-04:00

Here's 2000.

Don't forget our parent meeting on the 19th! Only two more rehearsals left before then - March 22 and 29 - see you then!

Looking Ahead

2009-03-09T11:14:00.002-04:00

PLANNING
Pneuma and the Westminster Bells are hard at work preparing for Palm Sunday. The children and the Chancel Choir will sing and the Bells will play as we celebrate the coming of our Lord. New ringers (and some returning) are being brought into to fill the ranks for this exciting piece. Both ensembles will take a break for the afternoons of April 5 (Palm Sunday) and April 12 (Easter) to enjoy time with their families. The next Sunday night will be a planning night for both groups: on Sunday, April 19, Pneuma will have a Parents’ planning meeting where we will make plans for the rest of the year, so please come let your voices be heard. All parents of children ages 4 through 5th grade are encouraged to attend, even if your singer isn’t participating with us, so that we can get a clearer picture of what our Children’s Music Ministry needs to grow into. Come help us shape the future! Pneuma will gather at their regular time, 3:45 pm that night. In the meantime, we will still rehearse for Palm Sunday for the remaining rehearsals, March 15, 22, and 29.

Peter Plans

2009-03-04T10:25:00.002-05:00

Sunday afternoon Pneuma rehearsed some of the music for Palm Sunday, the next time they’ll sing in worship (April 5). We sang through a good number of songs, talked about the first paragraph of our Social Creed and acted through (experienced?!) a couple of Peter Pan acting exercises. Everybody had a great time and we’re all excited about next week, which is “Bring a Friend Week.” See you then!

Roadtrip!

2009-02-09T10:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday's trip was a great success! Families and friends were able to go together and experience the Roundhouse Museum (check out some interesting pictures of the place at http://www.theothersavannah.com/html/index2.html) and a great time was had by everyone!

Don't forget, we'll be singing and acting in both services on the 22nd, so we'll gather at 8:15am and 10:45am in our Pneuma shirts and khakis.

NEWS: The Pneuma Staff has decided to give the kids the afternoon off each time they sing in worship, so on the afternoon the 22nd, there will be no rehearsal!

UPCOMING DATES: April 5 (Palm Sunday) and May 3 (the day of the Production and the Sunday before Mother's Day).

Blessings, Ronn

Pictures from December (Tone Chime Day) 12/28

2009-01-28T10:36:00.003-05:00

Angels Aware Videos available now!

2009-01-27T10:04:00.002-05:00

Chris Anderson sent me this e-mail this morning:

"Ronn,
I've finally got some dvd copies of Angels Aware. I had to have a little editing help from my brother. Is there any way you can put this on the blog and in the church bulletin? If anyone wants one, they can give us a call at 925-3799.....and/or I could give you a few to keep and pass out (just remind them that I'm not Spielberg). I've got 10 to start and can get more copies if needed.

Chris"

So drop us a line or call us at the church office and we'd be happy to get you a copy. Blessings, R

Change Is Good

2009-01-19T12:16:00.001-05:00

"Lord of all Creation, I pray that as we step into the New Year that you grant us wisdom and guidance as we seek to build the Children’s Music ministry not as we would want it to be but as You would want it to be. Help the Pneuma staff and me to find that way and to follow it with all of our hearts. In Your Son’s Name we pray. Amen."

When we finished 2008 with the musical, Angels Aware, we were all elated; the kids had enjoyed a fantastic success and we were all (justifiably) proud of them. And we (the Pneuma staff and I) imagined that the New Year would bring only bigger and better things for these great kids. And the New Year began. A time when many consider and reconsider priorities. More than a few families are struggling with so many, many activities available to their kids and decisions are being made.
Going into the Year the Pneuma staff felt that a simpler approach was called for. Shorter rehearsal times for our youngest singers and no lines to memorize this term. Still, in a desire to help the kids connect more with our Bible, we introduced the Parables of Jesus to them in a particularly creative style. The parable is read by a narrator and the kids explore the motions the story calls for (while hearing the words of Christ!). And we started teaching how to read music. In this case that means seeing a note and singing it without piano and starting to understand the patterns and applying them. Challenging stuff!

We are looking at several options of how to best serve these children for the rest of the term and will soon be in contact with each set of parents to see if the time is the best (Wednesday evening after Church Night Supper for Tone Chimes was one thing we’re considering). We’re going to refocus on the songs that we learned as kids with less emphasis (especially for our younger kids) in reading music and more into just singing and having a good time with God’s music. We’re going to sing some of the songs of the emerging tradition including praise choruses and hymns. For the rest of the spring term, we’re doing away with the attendance requirement. We hope that the kids will be here as often as possible, but we realize that modern families have difficult schedules and we want o give them the best experience with God’s music that we possibly can. So we’d really like to hear from you: what time is best on Sundays? From 3-4pm or later in the day like 5-6pm? Let us know what you’d like to see so that we can give the kids the best experience. Call me at the Church Office or e-mail me at ronnalford@bellsouth.net. Let me hear from you today!

Success!!!

2008-12-22T11:51:00.003-05:00

Hey folks! I've heard nothing but an overwhelming avalanche of praise for last night's show! This morning I received one call that summed it up nicely - they said they's never seen a show at White Bluff with more energy and that the kids did so well with their lines! I'm so proud of each and every one of our singers and I know you are, too! Next week's blog will have some information about what to expect in the new year (11 January 2009 we start again), but in the mean time, enjoy these pictures and have a very Merry Christmas!!!

BTW, you may want to come out and see our Bell services on the 28th - a Festival of Lessons and Carols featuring the Westminster Bells and our tone chimes at both the 8:30 and 11:00 services. See you Sunday! Blessings, R

Sunday - we're singing in worship!

2008-12-15T10:28:00.001-05:00

Don't forget to have your singers in the Choir Room at 8am to sing for both worship services this Sunday, December 21. We'll be singing "The Perfect Ten" which seems to be everyone's favorite as well as "Come to the Manger." See you in your Pneuma shirt and khaki pants or skirts/dresses.

One Week til The Musical

2008-12-15T10:18:00.003-05:00

Hey folks!

Just one more week til the production, which means 2 rehearsals left: Saturday and Sunday from 3-5pm (or 2-5 if you have a speaking part).

Above you'll see the poster we've made up for the show; feel free to right-click Save-As and open it in your favorite graphic program (like Paint or Vue-Print or my personal favorite Paint-Net) and print it out and put in some well traveled location (places you like to shop or your own business or wherever), or if you'd just like for your own house.

See you all Saturday!
Blessings,
R

E-letter: Remaining rehearsals

2008-12-01T10:01:00.002-05:00

Hey everybody - we had a great rehearsal yesterday with the folks with speaking parts and we'll have some more time with just them each afternoon. Below is the text that I just sent to all Pneuma Parents and Staff, so if you didn't get this, please send me an e-mail at ronnalford@bellsouth.net so I can use your correct e-mail. Here's the letter:

Hey folks!

Just wanted to give you all a heads up about the remaining time our singers have together this year --

December 7, 14
Tentative Rehearsal – Saturday, December 20

Each of these rehearsals run from 3-5 or 2-5 for speaking parts.

Also, our 3rd Presentation in Worship Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00am (call times 8am and 10:45am) will be December 21 (Preview Sunday), with the
Children’s Christmas Musical itself at 5pm, Sunday, December 21 following a regular 3-5 rehearsal.

Thank you all for your support; it's going to be a great production!
Blessings,
Ronn

110308 - on to Act 2!!!

2008-11-03T11:51:00.003-05:00

Our Pneuma Children’s Choirs sang through the first third of their Christmas musical (December 21), Angels Aware and did a great job. I am so proud of our kids! Next week we’ll be starting on the next third, which means our parents will be helping our singers memorize the words through the song “If It Were Up to Me.” Remember parents, the kids aren’t supposed to miss more than three rehearsals in a season, so we’ll need your help in getting our kids here on time – thanks for all your support!

Which Color Group Will Have the Most Singers with the New Song Memorized?

2008-10-29T16:42:00.004-04:00

If the title doesn't make sense, send me an e-mail at ronnalford@bellsouth.net
(Artwork by Shelby)

Pneuma in the Gym

2008-10-14T10:23:00.004-04:00

Hey folks! We had a fantastic morning of worship Sunday in the Gym, with kids leading in worship and singing the Call. You can see them on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pyoLQ5tvW8 As you can see from the picture below, the sanctuary is getting some much needed remodeling; soon we'll have new pews, new carpet, new lights and a new sound system! It's an exciting time for all of us!

I hope you all got this letter!

2008-10-06T15:23:00.005-04:00

If you didn't receive the following letter and you're a Pneuma Parent or Staff, please shoot me an e-mail so that I can add you to the list or correct the address we have for you! I sent the letter at 3:20pm Monday, so you might give it a few hours to get to you. Funny how sometimes e-mail goes through instantly and other times it takes a day... Hope you're all well and enjoying the blog, R

Hello!

This e-mail will hopefully serve two purposes: 1) to give all details about this Sunday, October 12, Children's Sabbath and 2)to make sure that I have the right e-mails for all of you. To that end, if you receive this, just hit reply and send it back to me so I'll know you received the letter.

Sunday: We'll meet in the Choir Room both at 8:15am and at 10:45am, dressed in khaki trousers or skirts and our Pneuma T-shirts. We should have the new shirts by then, so if you haven't received one, you could come to the choir room early. If you slip in the sanctuary side door after 8:00 or 10:30am, you 'll see the new shirts on a table by the door, along with a list of the sizes for each singer. We'll be singing at the beginning of each service (to help teach the congregation a new hymn), so if you need to slip out with your singer after the 11:00 Call to Worship we'll understand. After each Call the singers will recess to join you in the congregation. Since we'll be in the gym for the next 3 weeks of services, pray that they'll be able to be heard well! Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Blessings,

Ronn Alford
Pneuma Director
White Bluff UMC

BTW the line drawing is by Amelia McCorvey and is :A Little Girl Singing "God with a Capital G", which was our musical last spring. Look here for more drawings each week and also in our church Newsletter!

Arrival activities

2008-09-29T14:21:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to share a few pictures of the kids drawing - they were working on pictures of Angels at the time (seems very appropriate!). Don't forget, we're singing in worship not this coming Sunday (World Communion Sunday), but the next week, October 12. We'll be meeting in the Choir Room at 8:45 and 10:45am on that Sunday (Children's Sabbath) wearing khaki trousers/skirts and our Pneuma T-shirts (or at least dark blue shirts if they don't come in time). See you soon!

More pictures

2008-09-22T15:21:00.002-04:00

Auditions!

2008-09-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Hey folks! I'm so proud of our kids. It's been awesome to watch these guys grow; physically getting taller and in watching their comfort zones expand and their singing and speaking abilities just getting better and better! This year's auditions were much harder for us - there are only 8 speaking parts and only a handful of solos which just makes it harder to choose from so many that did so very well... On to the results:

First, the speaking parts --
The Angel Gabriel........................Rebekah Branch
The Arch-angel Michael, head Angel.........Emily Brown
Sara, head of the Seraphim...............Natalie Lanier
Cherry, head of the Cherubim...............Anna Everly
Harold, head of the Herald Angels............Georgia Griffin
Moses...........Will Hobbs
Isaiah..........David Atkinson

Musical Solos --
Michael's Called a Meeting........................Rebekah Branch
"I" Trouble.......................................Amelia McCorvey
Jiswannano........................................Megan Snider
If It Were Up to Me..............Natalie Lanier, Kinsey Charnes,
Kathryn Haberman and Rachel Anderson
Close to Him......................................Emily Brown
Angels Aware!.....................................Rebekah Branch

Even if your singer didn't get a part there's still certainly a lot to memorize since the entire cast responds to some of the dialogue and of course the songs will need to be memorized as well. Things are shaping up just amazingly well and I know this is going to be a great year! Blessings, R

P.S. By now, you should all have scripts, Listening CD's and Singer Family Handbooks - let us know if you need something!

A couple of pictures from Last Sunday

2008-09-18T13:13:00.000-04:00

Time to talk: What was the best thing you did all summer?

Rehearsal One

2008-09-16T11:25:00.000-04:00

Hey folks! Yesterday we had our first rehearsal with 25 singers and I think it went really well. We gave out the scripts and started the audition process for our Christmas musical, Angels Aware. We hope we can have the Listening CD's in time for this Sunday's rehearsal (3-5pm), but we might have to wait another week for the post. In the meanwhile, you can listen to pieces of the songs at http://www.praisegathering.com/Site/Detail.asp?tid=4979

The younger singers (Joyful Noise!) who are from 4 years old through those entering the first grade this fall were able to learn some of the motions from the first few songs and seemed to especially enjoy the motions for "The Perfect 10." It's my favorite of the songs so far and I'm sure you'll love it as much as Joyful Noise! already seems to. I'm really looking forward to next week's rehearsal and I hope that all of our 28 registered singers will be there; or even more - if you'd like to register your singer with us, as with all of the groups at White Bluff UMC, all are welcome!

The picture above is from our Kickoff Banquet last week which was attended with fantastic food by Lisa McGalliard. If you don't know this great lady, be sure to take the time to say "Hello!" You'll be glad you did. In addition to enjoying some entertainment from our kids, we had the chance to see (and dance with) the Savannah Drama Club, led by Pastor Carl Gilliard. It was great to get to meet and worship with some of our neighbors in Christ! Our Singers Family Handbooks are still available; feel free to call or e-mail me at ronnalford@bellsouth.net if you would like one.

Each week I hope to bring you some highlights of the rehearsal and while the Newsletter will have details as well, expect to see even more depth written here. Comments are welcome and encouraged, especially of things you'd like to see on this blog!

Blessings,

Ronn

Under Construction

2008-09-02T11:37:00.000-04:00

Hello!

This website will carry the news and events for the Pneuma Childrens' Music Ministry at White Bluff United Methodist Church in Savannah, GA. Please check back weekly for updates after our Kickoff Banquet, Sunday September 7 at 5:30pm. Please register by sending an email to ronnalford@bellsouth.net with the number for the dinner. If you would like to pre-register your child or children for 2008-2009 school year, you can do so at www.wbumc.org or by calling 912-925-5924. Thank you for your support. Blessings,

Ronn Alford
Director of Music Ministries
White Bluff UMC