There is a core group of singers that make up our group we have chosen to call "Our Joyful Noise" .
Tracy Meisky, Bill Ahlers, Rev. Marj Creech, and myself, Byron Yaple. We knew that our pastor, Rev. Margaret Hawk, was going through some very difficult times - and she loves music. Indeed, she finds music a key in "bringing her into God's presence" - what better place to be when you are going through difficult and trying times than In God's Presence.....
Bill purchased a very expensive music program that virtually turns your PC into a sound studio, with the ability to edit sound files, record in "tracks", etc. We decided to put together a collection of peaceful and calming music - and we did it expressly in mind of doing it for our Pastor, and dedicating it to her. She was so very blessed when we presented it to her....she cried....that really blessed us!!!!
This was a labor of love, as we noted in the inside of the CD along with the dedication to our Pastor. . It was work, but it was fun too. We did it over the summer in Bill's apartment that had no air conditioning - humorously, we would turn on the fans in the window until we were ready to record, then whoever was not singing would fan, with a little folded fan, the person who was singing to cool them off. And of course, like "America's Funniest Videos" - we had out-takes that we (I) thought were funny....
My mother was having trouble getting to sleep at night at the Alzheimer's Facility where she is....
and the nurse said that when she began playing the CD it seemed that Mom was much more easily drifting off to sleep.....prayerfully it will help people relax, and enter into a worshipful space with God.
It brought back a lot of memories of when Tracy and Rev. Marj Creech and I sang backup vocals for Chris Hoffman who officially/commercially released a CD of his own original songs.....that was fun too... Here is the link for the pics and info on that:
- http://www.geocities.com/a_gay_christian_guy/RecordingStudio01.html
Here are some of the songs we have included on this CD:
Candle String - We were joined on this CD by some very talented
Balm in Gilead people that are not regular members of our group
The God of Love My Comfort Is - that we dearly Love and are so grateful for:
Have Thine Own Way, Lord Brianne Perry, H.L. Wright, Frank Benline and
Variations on Pachebel's Canon in D of course, Chris Hoffman
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire
The Lord's Prayer
A Gift Of Song
and a few others
There is also two original songs, one by Chris Hoffman that he performed live in our church while accompanying himself on a Dulcimer; & another one that Tracy Meisky wrote that we all recorded.
We are hoping to do another CD with Christmas music on it soon, which will include some more original songs by Tracy Meisky and myself.
If you are interested in getting more information about this CD, please email me at this address:
CDSNCMCC@YAHOO.COM Much Love in Jesus, Byron
