TAKING CARE OF THE N.E.W. BAND AND CHOIR
Philosophy Statement of Music Department

1. WE SHOULD BEGIN WITH LOVE. (1 John 4:11 "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love on 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 to not all have the same functions so in Christ we who are many form on 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 be 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.