Five Historic Questions About Church Music “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” 1 The captive Hebrews’ question has echoed down through 2,000 years of Christian...
A Handful of Hard Notes
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Resources
Why Rudiments?
Music is a language, thus it communicates. Just as you learn to communicate at a young age without understanding any grammar, you can learn music without understanding rudiments....
Church Music Hub
Do you want to sing new congregational songs by Anabaptist authors and composers? If you’d like to sing songs for congregational worship, family singing, hymnsings, or in a...
Music in an Elementary Classroom
Learning can’t be all fun and games. Or can it? Well, probably not, but when it can be, why not make it that? My students don’t think of music as another class, but an organized...
Music That Nurtures the Soul (Part 2 of 2)
In Part One, I tried to establish that music affects the health of our souls (mind, will, and emotions) for good or ill. The common belief that music is neutral has falsely...
Music That Nurtures the Soul (Part 1 of 2)
The German blitz of London during World War 2 brought fear and uncertainty to Londoners that is unknown to most Americans. They fell asleep...
The Living Gift of the Congregation’s Songs
Living gifts must be cultivated and nourished. Our congregational practice of four-part, a cappella harmony did not simply appear by magic. Considering a few historical...
Should We Sing a New Song?
Did you know that many of the four-part hymns sung in many conservative Anabaptist meetings today were written between 1725 and 1925? We typically really like them. “Blessed...
Choral Facial Expressions
I enjoy watching and listening to music groups sing. But, without fail, whenever I watch a music group sing, many of them adopt a facial expression not unlike if they had stomach...
My Teacher Could Sight-Sing
For my final interview of this type, Adolf Unger talks about how he became interested in music and the influence that music can have. This interview is part of a series of...
I Sing as I Live
I wanted to know what people my age are saying to my interview questions, so I asked my friend Grace Weaver about her experiences with music. This interview is part of a series...
Teach Them to Love It
In this article, Burton Heatwole talks about why he sings with his family. This interview is part of a series of articles on how best to encourage music. Lynn Martin: What’s your...
We Didn’t Sing at All
For this article, I asked my pastor, Kevin Brechbill, about his experiences with singing. This interview is part of a series of articles on how best to encourage music. Lynn...
Music: Where to Start?
This is an introduction to a series of articles on how best to encourage music. “I can’t sing,” my pastor told me. “I wish I could, but I can’t sing a note.” I was surprised. His...
Blog
Read blog posts and articles about teaching music, the philosophy of music, and how to think about worship. Articles are written by SCMC instructors and staff. New content is...
Song & Worship Downloads
Download individual songs or worship themes for your congregation's use. Worship themes are intended as an aid for song leaders. Each theme is a two-page template for the...
Video Lessons
Here are lessons by SCMC instructors in video form. Learn the basics of singing and reading music or the basics of leading a song from two video series that start from the ground...
Curriculum
Learn more about SCMC's curriculums for elementary school and for hymn singing. Use these resources to teach your students music and worship understandings that will stay with...
Textbook Reviews
These book reviews are a teaching resource for music teachers. Use them to get a picture of whether a book or curriculum would work for your classroom. Read book reviews.
Worship Themes
These worship themes are intended to be an aid for song leaders. Each theme is a two-page template for the introduction to worship section of a service, each based on a key tenet...
Hymns to Memorize
We asked some of our instructors to share some songs that they believe everyone should memorize. This article is compiled from their responses. Songs for morning and...
Choral Singing Textbook
Have you wanted to learn more about music and what the notes mean? Do you wish you knew why some notes have flags, and some don’t? Do you want to learn about intervals, chords, and more?
Building Confidence Singing in Church
What are five ways I can build my confidence as a congregational singer? I must sing. It’s what a redeemed person does. I won’t build confidence by only listening to...
Singing New Songs
Poetry is one of our primary means of worship. The prayers and praises recorded in Scripture are nearly always written in verse, and today we still worship God with...
Singing in Original Languages
"What are some benefits and drawbacks of singing songs in their original language, when most of the audience cannot understand the text? Are these issues different if sung in a...
Enduring Quality in Music
In this short article, Wendell Glick explores the question: “What gives a piece of music enduring quality?”
Gospel Songs & Hymns: What’s the Difference?
The texts of hymns should cover the full range of Gospel truth and experience. This means that serious thought must given to achieving a realistic balance in worship…
Teaching Your Child Music
How can I start teaching my child music? With what do I start and at what age? Here are some tips.
Church Music, Old and New
One of the many debates about what music is suitable and helpful for worship has focused on “old music” and “new music.” The debate is at times divisive…
Teaching Your Congregation a New Song
I want to teach my congregation a new song. How should I go about it?
Here are a few suggestions: