Morning Worship: I Will Exalt You – Hillsong
Everytime we sing this at my church, am amazed how much it can mean when your words are few…
Brooke Fraser leading worship at Hillsong in Australia, from the Live album Faith+Hope+Love.
Inspiration from the PS22 Chorus and Their Teacher Gregg Breinberg On the Impact of Arts In Schools
The PS22 Chorus became a Youtube sensation a few years back with their soulful videos of students singing covers of popular songs in class. Watching their videos make me smile and I love the emotions the kids show while performing. In the video below Gregg Breinberg, the teacher who started PS22 and some of his students talk about how it got started:
The confidence built in the students just goes to show how much of an impact the arts and wonderful mentors can make in their lives. In an interview Gregg Breinberg, the teacher who started the music class talks about how singing changes young people:
“It’s all about self-confidence. That is what the arts has to offer, especially to kids that aren’t necessarily succeeding academically. Throughout their chorus experience, my students recognize that their musical achievements are something they earn for themselves through hard work and dedication. That is a life lesson that does not restrict itself to music…
“Focus, concentration, and stamina are undeniably strengthened as well. Music and the arts are just the tool to unlock the hidden potential, and as it manifests, it carries over to all other areas of school and hopefully ultimately life…
“…I do hope as they move on that the memories of these unbelievable experiences the PS22 Chorus kids have earned for themselves will be a continued source of inspiration that they can call upon throughout their lives. I always try to remind them that they themselves have become living proof that through hard work, anything is possible.”
– Gregg Breinberg, Click here for the full interview on Open Education
Here is one of my favorite videos from PS22 featuring a talented young lady Denise; her cover of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God” is unique and beautiful:
On Repeat: Music Pick and Inspiration – Hold Me Video & EP from Jamie Grace Harper
I’ve got the song “Hold Me” from Jamie Grace stuck in my head – it’s so upbeat, unique and catchy. For the past couple of weeks I’ve played it on repeat for the 1st and second grade girls who I teach at church, to get them focused on their art projects (and to stop talking about Justin Bieber:) and they love listening to it too as they sing along and color. Glad they appreciate great music:)…
TobyMac recently signed Jamie Grace to his label Gotee Records and her EP that was released in February is funky, soulful and creative – something I think anyone will enjoy. (You can preview the EP on her Facebook page here.) I got to see her in action at Women of Faith’s event for teens The Revolve Tour Dream On event in January (check out some pictures I took at the event) and her testimony and how focused she is at only 19-years-old is so inspiring. She shared her testimony of how God helped her to deal with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome when she was 11-years-old and how she started acting and playing music despite hardships and dealing with discovering who she was. She also shared her song “Hold Me,” and an original song dedicated to Revolve. Despite being her first time being on the Revolve stage she seemed like a seasoned pro and was really inspiring and relatable. She’s an awesome inspiration to me on how God can launch you into your dreams if you trust, practice your craft and give all you do to Him.
I’ve been following Jamie Grace on Youtube since a few years back after I stumbled across one of her videos when I was randomly looking for a review of High School Musical 2 (don’t judge me, I was a bored college student;). I loved her videos talking about dealing with Tourettes and song covers she did with her guitar. Now she’s sharing her story and songs around the country; she’s really come a long way and I know this is only the beginning for the amazing places she’s going!
For more info on Jamie Grace and to order her EP you can visit jamie-grace.com or connect with her on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter: @jamiegraceh
Also check out this cool fan supporter site for Jamie Grace to help spread the word: http://jamiegracefans.blogspot.com
Below check out a clip of a video of Jamie Grace in action at Revolve in TX:
Inspiration: “I Smile” & “I Am” – New Songs From Kirk Franklin’s Album Hello Fear
One of the few artists of whom I own almost every single one of his CDs (physical copies not mP3s – yes, I know, dedication) is Kirk Franklin. To say I was excited for his latest album Hello Fear (which debuted in March) is an understatement! The album hasn’t disappointed, with uplifting tracks and collaborations with Marvin Sapp, John P. Kee & Mali Music.
In an interview with Essence Magazine Kirk Franklin spoke on the story behind the album:
It is wanting to address this thing that’s knocking on everybody’s door right now. There’s a great sense of worry and uncertainty that is making people anxious. My statement in the album is we don’t have to run away from that emotion. It’s not something that has to keep us knocked out of life’s game and crippled. We can face it head on and hopefully there’ll e some messages that give people the power and confidence to do that.
Listen to three of the songs “I Smile,” “I Am” and the title track “Hello Fear” from the album below:
