Question:
Here's the situation. The youth group music is pretty much at a crossroads right now. Currently we do primarily (and by primarily I literally mean the same five songs every week) some Hillsongs United tunes, and a couple of SPIN arrangements of some songs. Occasionally we'll do something that I arranged, but that's beside the point. The youth pastor wants to move the music to more... recognizable, I suppose... tunes. The guy who technically in charge of the music wants to keep doing the Hillsongs stuff (which would be OK, I suppose, but none of that stuff is written for a three piece band with five female altos) and everyone is bored by that since he never chooses any new songs (we've done two new songs in the last eight months). Another lady who just recently decided that she wanted to take over (long story) gave me a couple CDs of songs she thinks would be "great" songs to play. Here's a few of the tracks:
It is You - Newsboys
Breathe - RSJ arrangement
You are My King - PCD arrangement (a good arrg., but I'm the only member of the band that could play it)
Dive - SCC
This is Your Time - MWS (a totally inappropriate suggestion, given what the song is about)
I Still Believe - Jeremy Camp
Dare You to Move - Switchfoot (it's actually almost inevitable that we'll be doing this anyways, but that's beside the point)
I Can only Imagine - (decent tune, but gosh, enough is enough)
Great Light of The World - Bebo Norman (I honestly don't even have the slightest clue as to WHY this was suggested at all. It’s not a bad song, but for youth?! Come on!)
Just last week we did Switchfoot’s Meant to Live. Everyone totally dug it, and it got everyone involved, something that hasn’t happened in a while. So, I know the contemporary stuff can work.
So here's my dilemma... Being the band “director” of sorts, I'm caught in the middle of all this garbage, because for some reason my decision on what songs we should play will directly affect the future of the band. I mean, we definitely need new music. But, needless to say, the suggestions so far have been less than stellar (I won’t even mention some of the stuff suggested by the youth group). As soon as looked at the track listing of those CDs I was ready to say, "no we're not going to do this, OR Hillsongs, or any other music for that matter! You can all go sing kumbiya for all I care!". I don’t know. I’m at a total loss right now. I’m going to talk to the youth pastor tomorrow and see if I can get some details ironed out.
So, as you can see I need help! Any suggestions, ideas, comments, anything?
Answer:
I really like most of the tunes that Third Day has done on their Offerings albums. I also adore what Caedmon's Call did on their In The Company Of Angels worship album. Tree63 has done some rocking worship tunes as well, on all of their albums really. Those would be my first "modern" suggestions.
I always have to suggest www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/hymns.html, of course.
As far as specific songs go, I'd recommend the following (this is all coming from only the albums / resources I listed above; my strongest recommendations are in bold-face):
King Of Glory (Third Day: Offerings I)
Your Love, Oh Lord (Third Day: Offerings I)
All The Heavens (Third Day: Offerings I)
Offering (Third Day: Offerings II)
God Of Wonders (Third Day: Offerings II)
Give (Third Day: Offerings II)
Before There Was Time (Caedmon's Call: In The Company Of Angels)
Thy Mercy (Caedmon's Call: In The Company...)
God Who Saves (Caedmon's Call: In The Company...)
God Of Wonders (Caedmon's Call: In The Company...)
Oh Lord, Your Love (Caedmon's Call: In The Company...)
Warrior (Caedmon's Call: In The Company...)
Sacrifice (Tree63: Tree63)
A Million Lights (Tree63: Tree63)
All Because Of Your (Tree63: Life And Times Of Absolute Truth)
King (Tree63: The Answer To The Question)
Blessed Be Your Name (Tree63: The Answer...)
Let Us Love And Sing And Wonder (RUF Hymnbook)
Man Of Sorrows (RUF Hymnbook)
Oh Worship The King (RUF Hymnbook)
Praise To The Lord The Almighty (RUF Hymnbook)
Tender Mercy(RUF Hymnbook)
What Wondrous Love Is This (RUF Hymnbook)
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (RUF Hymnbook)
Does that help any?
In His love,
Nate
Answer:
Have you ever heard of Enter the worship Circle?
These are super good songs and they are really easy to play...
but i do recommend the frist circle over any other....
Now what hillsong united songs are you doing....they are sweet worship songs...but if i can understand that if thats all you are doing it could get old...
some other songs that are awesome...
Lord have Mercy
King of Glory...Matt Redman tune...i think...its not the same as the third day one
ummm i can;t think of any more...hahaha that sucks
Answer:
Caedmon's Call, Chris Tomlin, old Sonicflood, Skillet's worship album
those are my suggestions
Answer:
So far everyone has it covered. One thing about Hillsong though...Look at some of their other writers like Rueben (Sp?) Morgan and Marty Sampson...they are both good writers and work a lot with Hillsong....Also try out Matt Redman (I know its already been mentioned), David Crowder Band, Tim Hughes...man the list goes on....As far as picking music, well if you're the "director" then you've got to get out there and find some music and if the rest of the band doesn't like it well then just tell them tough because you are the leader....
Also one thing that should help it kinda get like a committee going to select the songs, try to fit them around the message/purpose for the night
Answer:
Wildcats...possibly because Reuben Morgan and Marty Sampson are worship leaders at hillsong? And that Reuben Morgan started United Live? yes, I think so...
I would suggest picking up the latest album from Passion '05. I haven't heard it, but my assumption would be that it will be full of really good, really worshipful songs. Passion has not let me down yet.
Also, Hillsong United Live did just release a new album. Maybe check that one out. It is called "Look to You." It is very good.
Tim Hughes - Yes, agreed. Anything by this man is really good. Please do more than Here I am to Worship though...great song, but it seems as though that's the only song people know by him. Oh, that and Consuming Fire...so do anything but those songs...
David Crowder Band - You'll find much of their stuff to be quite complicated for a 3 piece band. Some songs will be alright, but overall, it will be difficult to pull off. Look out for his new album in the fall.
Starfield - GREAT band. Many amazing worship songs, along with some spiritual songs that may help bring the kids in or something like that. Check out their self-titled independent album if you can find it.
Those are just some bands I've enjoyed. Please, don't mention Jeremy Camp. I personally don't think it's worth the time to do his songs.
Pat D
Answer:
ok
the first problem i saw was this:
which would be OK, I suppose, but none of that stuff is written for a three piece band with five female altos do you have all of the female singers singing every week? that's a recipe for trouble right there. split them up and put them on a biweekly rotation or something.
second thing (and working off of that same quote): who cares how many parts it's written for? most songs can be reduced to a guitar part...or guitar, bass and drum parts. you're not going to get the Hillsongs sound (what is it...like three or four guitars, keys, etc.)) or the David Crowder sound (two guitars?, keys, etc.) from a three piece. Start with the basic chords and work from that.
I definitely recommend picking up an "Enter the Worship Circle" albums (the first circle was 100 Portraits and Waterdeep). Even if you dont' get solid song ideas, i think they'll give you an idea of how to effectively simplify the music.
I know pat said that the DCB would be a bit complicated but a three piece to do...and that's true if you're trying to stay true to the DCB sound, but it's church...i don't think anyone really cares if you're playing Anderson electrics through thousands of dollars of sound equipment. a friend of mine and I used to lead worship for youth doing songs from David Crowder, Matt Redman, Hillsongs, Waterdeep and others with just an acoustic guitar and a bongo...occasionally we'd do two acoustic guitars. I dont' recall anyone ever saying, "your version of "make a joyful noise" didn't sound anything like the way david crowder does it"
good luck. it sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. my biggest piece of advice is definitely to forge your own ways of playing the songs that the other artists have already done. with a major artist like Switchfoot it's important to get close to their sound...but with so many Hillsongs and Vineyard clones out there, no one is really going to care if you nail the Darlene Zschech tone...because it's ultra-generic to begin with.
Answer:
Seems like your main issue is a lack of clarity in leadership. Before you worry about what music you're doing, you need to sit down with people and figure out who's leading, who's following, and who needs to step out of the way.
Once you get that worked out, start taking a look at the music that's been suggested here. Since you're working with a youth group, doing music that's fun is a big consideration ... but not the only consideration. In my experience, youth can handle much more sophisication musically than we give them credit for, so I'd challenge you to start working some theology-rich classic hymns - re-worked musically to fit modern tastes - into your sets.