NEWLHS Music Department Philosophy

1. WE SHOULD BEGIN WITH LOVE. (1 John 4:11 "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.") Student and teacher are to handle all situations in love.  We are to love each other knowing that we can love each other because God loved us first.

2. WE ARE TO BUILD EACH OTHER UP. (Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.") If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all.  Encourage one another in love and respect.

3. WE SHOULD HANDLE ALL SITUATIONS ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD. (Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church...") If you have a problem with an ensemble member always go to them first in love and with great care.

4. WE ARE TO USE OUR GOD-GIVEN TALENTS AND GIFTS WITH THANKFULNESS AND HUMBLENESS AND ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. (Ephesians 5:19 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in our heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.") We will thank the Lord for every opportunity and gift He has given to us as individuals and as an ensemble.

5. WE WILL USE THESE GIFTS OF MUSIC TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE MESSAGE THAT NEWLHS HAS TO SHARE. (1 Peter 4:10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.") Musicians will have the opportunity to share their gifts and their faith within the Lutheran community through NEW Sundays and special services.  We will also go into our community to share the gospel through concerts, television appearances, mall appearances, nursing home visits, and other means that would be found appropriate for the ensembles.

6. SHINE LIKE STARS IN ALL YOU DO. (Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God...") Don't complain during rehearsals.  If you have a problem with the director, speak to her in private.  Accept musical directions and criticisms graciously.

7. BE PREPARED. (Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.") Come to class ready to work.  Keep music in good order; be alert during rehearsal and always have a pencil ready to make notations on music.  Marking music saves so much valuable rehearsal time.

8. BE A TEAM. (1 Peter 3:8 "Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."  Romans 12:4-7 "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same functions so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.") We are ONE musical ensemble made up of many different people, each member having a special and unique value to the team.

9. PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER. (Luke 11:9-10 "So I say to you; Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.") Pray for each other by name and pray for each other often!!!  Let us know what your needs are, what your hopes are, and what your joys are.

10. ENJOY A CHALLENGE. (2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and don't give up, for your work will be rewarded") Don't complain the first time we read through a new piece.  Work at it and enjoy the challenge, it might become one of our favorites.

11. CHOIR AND/OR BAND IS NOT A DEMOCRACY. (Hebrews 13:17-21 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.  Pray for us.  We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in ever way.") Recognize that a well-run organization is not a democracy.  Your opinions and thoughts are important to me and I will always have time to listen to them and consider them.  Although you may not always agree with the decisions, the director must make the final decisions in the best of the entire music program.  Please pray for the director that she follows the leadership of the Lord.

Capella Choir:     Capella Choir is a non-auditioned group of ladies and guys.  We sing a variety of musical styles; contemporary and traditional Christian, contemporary, and traditional secular.  We rehearse every day.  We sing in all four concerts.

Nevaeh Choir:     Nevaeh Choir is an all ladies choir.  We sing SSAA music in a variety of styles.  This choir rehearses on Friday mornings from 7:30 - 8:00.  During solo & ensemble we either perform show choir pieces or sing vocal jazz.  We perform in all four concerts.

"The Guys":     This choir is made up of all the men involved in Concert Choir.  We sing TTBB music in a variety of styles.  "The Guys" meet on Monday mornings from 7:30 - 8:00.  During solo & ensemble we perform a TTBB piece.

"Stage One":    This choir is a group of 16 auditioned voices - SATB. Anyone from Capella Choir is encouraged to try-out.  "Stage One" rehearses Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:25a.m. - 8:00a.m.  We have many opportunities to share throughout the school year at chapels, area churches and community events.  Every year "Stage One" presents a Christmas cantata during the Advent and Epiphany seasons.

Solo and Ensembles:    Vocal jazz, madrigals, duets, trios, and quartets with various voicings are all ensembles that are rehearsed during solo and ensemble.  Students also have the opportunity to work on vocal solos.

Music Theory:    This class is open to all music students interested in learning the theory of music.  Students must be participating in either choir, band, or with special permission from the music teacher.  It is particularly suggested for those students considering pursuing music as a degree. Music Theory I and II are courses that take you through the primary and secondary elements of music.    We study what each of the fundamental elements is and how it is used to writing and analyzing music.  We use this information in a written form, sight-singing, and ear-training.

Music History:    This class is open to all music students interested in learning the history of music.   Students must be participating in either choir, band, or with special permission from the music teacher.  It is particularly suggested for those students considering pursuing music as a degree.  We will be studying the characteristics of each of the musical eras, the vocal forms, the instrumental forms, instruments used, and ocmposers of each era.  Students wil be required to write a summary at the end of each era.  A paper about a composer of the student's choice will be due by the end of the semester.  Students will be required to listen to music from each era and be able to match composers with listening selections.

Concert Band:    N.E.W. has a concert band made up of a mix of instruments with which the Lord blesses us.  Students are encouraged to work at improving their abilities on their chosen instrument, as well as having the opportunity to try other instruments.  The band plays a variety of music including Christian hymns, classical, pop, and jazz.  The concert band plays at all four concerts.

Jazz Band:    All band students are encouraged to be a part of jazz band. We will play both traditional and contemporary jazz band arrangements.  We share at all four concerts. Many students will have the opportunity to try out new instruments for this band.

Pep Band:    All members of the Concert Band are asked to be a part of the pep band. We play at the homecoming game and at most home conference girls/boys basketball games.

Selected Ensembles:    Wind Ensembles, Flute Choir, Woodwind Choir, and Brass Choir are a combination of the band students.  These ensembles work together at different times of the year.  I also encourage small ensembles and solos for solo and ensemble.