In 1992 the LDS Church introduced the Basic Music Course. It is a packet that includes information about conducting music and basic keyboard skills with the Conducting Course manual, the Keyboard Course manual, a Hymns Made Easy simplified hymnbook, a CD of examples, music flashcards, and a cardboard keyboard for practice at home.

I grew up in Utah and knew several people that played the piano that were able to accompany the congregation at Church, whether it be in Sacrament meeting, Young Women’s or Primary. Really, there were several choices when it came time to fill the calling.

Now, still in Utah, I am in a ward with only a handful of piano players (that we know of!) and most of them have already had accompanist callings for 2-4 years and simply needed a break. In the Primary we were stuck when our pianist suddenly moved.

So we turned to this program with a very willing brother that hasn’t played in several years. He is still in the midst of using this program and getting comfortable with the songs, but in the end I think it will be a very good thing for both us and him.

It is amazing the amount of time and preparation that goes into Sunday meetings in all different aspects, but we sing and praise God with music because it is important. And the Church has recognized the fact that it isn’t easy for everyone, so they created this program. And it’s another thing I’m grateful for!

Read more about the program here.

Back in 2000, the LDS Church built a “Family Tree Center” on Main Street in Park City, Utah. As many people walked Main Street in Park City during the Winter Olympics in 2002, every year we attract people back for the Sundance Film Festival, skiing trips and shopping.

Have you ever been to the center? It is staffed by sister missionaries from the Church as well as Stake missionaries from the Park City Stake. There are beautiful murals on the top floor that link Joseph Smith, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, George Bush, Richard Nixon and others to a common ancestor. There is also a two story tree in the middle of the facility. Downstairs guests can use Family Search to find their own ancestors.

So next time you’re up in the area, stop by the center for a unique experience on Main Street with the Church. You’ll be glad you did.

Music is such an interesting topic because it is unique to every person. The type, style, volume, and location varies with each person each time they listen. Do you have a specific way that you listen? Are you usually at the computer wearing headphones or in your car listening to the radio?

Personally I am a music-in-my-car-girl. But I have my favorites, and that is what I enjoy. It is seldom that I am open to new things, but when I find them, I’m hooked. I was one to think that people don’t listen to the radio anymore, but mostly because I used to be a radio-listener and now I’m really not.

There is an interesting paper put out by Nielsen Company and the CRE that can be found here. It was written in Oct 2009 and has a lot to say about how people are actually listening. What do you think?

One of the artists available on our site is Joshua Creek. Playing inspirational country music, this award-winning quartet has a great beat and uplifting songs as they tell stories about their love, life, work and beliefs. The band first self-titled CD debuted in 2006 and the Deseret News called it “the perfect chill album.” Their fourth and newest CD “American Day” that was introduced this fall, featuring fan-favorites like Grandpa was a Rock Star and inspiring new tunes like Where Heroes Go.

This Christmas season, locals are able to enjoy them at a special holiday-themed concert at the Scera Theater in Orem. The show has two dates, December 14 & 15, but the first show is already sold out! Hurry and catch tickets to the Wednesday show by clicking here. Hope to see you there! We are proud to have Joshua Creek here on LDSMusicNow and wish them the best in their upcoming events!

Many people are trying to get their music voices heard, and Mindy Gledhill is doing a great job at exemplifying how to do exactly that. It is very interesting to read Mindy’s Twitter feed, as she talks about her every-day life, highlights her concerts, and shares her music news. If you are an up and coming artist (or just a Mindy fan), we suggest looking into her feed. She already has a *few* others doing the same. http://twitter.com/MindyGledhill

Richard Oman is a legendary figure in LDS art. He recently retired as the curator of the Church Museum of History and Art. He was interviewed for Mormon Artist recently. Not only does he answer most of the quandries Mormon artists find themselves in, but paints a wise and elevated path to follow for all artists who are LDS. See:

http://mormonartist.net/issue-12/richard-oman/

Earlier this week we deployed an update to our website that we’re very excited about. While most of the changes are under the hood, they help move our site in the direction we’re aiming for.

We’re now utilizing something known as a content delivery network (CDN). A CDN, simply stated, makes it so when you pull data from our site it takes less time than it did before. How is this possible? Instead of potentially going halfway around the world to access data, you are retrieving data from a much closer network. In other words, accessing our site should be faster than ever.

The other extremely exciting ability these changes allow us to do is introduce a new feature that, we believe, will take the LDS market by surprise. We’re looking for people to be able to help us beta test the feature before it’s launched. If you’re interested, please feel free to contact us.

This weekend will be a gathering of artistic significance. The Mormon Arts Retreat is an annual “meeting of the creative minds,” where those who have had made long standing contributions to the LDS arts come together to strengthen, discuss and reinvigorate each other in a completely non-commercial setting. The retreat is sponsored by a generous anonymous benefactor and attendance is, of necessity, on a rotating invitation-only basis. Each of the artistic disciplines is represented: music, theater, painting, film, dance, and literature.

2010’s music people list reads like a who’s-who in folks who have consecrated their talents to “building the kingdom” in the LDS world. I consider it a privilege to attend. In fact, all of these music people are my friends as well as contemporaries. Here are this year’s music representatives:

Michael and Eve Dowdle
Roger and Melanie Hoffman
Greg Hansen
Sam and Kristie Payne
Clive and Bonnie Romney
Sam and Tammy Cardon
Merrill and Betsy Jenson
Janice and Doug Perry

It always is a welcome retreat to be a part of. Thanks be to the sponsor who believes in art that builds the kingdom!

Greg Hansen

When I was in a BYU bishopric over a freshman ward, I would often talk to the new students about their music collections. It was a great way to get to know who they really were in a hurry. Music choices reflect some of the most personal and innermost things about their owner. The sum of the collection offered many insights into their personalities, likes and dislikes. Here’s a good article about going through your own collection:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700067967/Inside-Mormon-Music-Cleaning-out-your-music-library.html?s_cid=Email-4

This week we include an excellent review by Nicole Sheahan of Todd McCabe and April Moriarty’s new album, Gethsemane.

Moriarty and McCabe’s ‘Gethsemane’ — music that points to Christ

One day last week, I was driving home from work in some pretty hectic rush-hour traffic.

The chaos was getting to me a little, so I turned up my music. I had just received April Moriarty and Todd McCabe’s new instrumental album, “Gethsemane.” I was sitting at the stoplight enjoying track six, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.”

A line from that hymn, “There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come,” reassured my heart, and I felt peace despite the commotion that surrounded me.

http://www.mormontimes.com/article/17197/Moriarty-and-McCabes-Gethsemane-8212-music-that-points-to-Christ?s_cid=newsline