Our Christmas Concert & Carol Sing was great! You can hear the whole evening here.

Christmas Concert & Carol Sing, December 5th

Christ Covenant Church and Heart & Voice present our annual Christmas Concert & Carol Sing. If you missed last year, here's your opportunity to join us for an evening of joyful Christmas music.

We'll hear talented musicians, we'll sing some of the great carols of the season, we'll enjoy refreshments, and fellowship. Don't miss it...bring your family and friends! See you there!

December 5th @ 7pm

Christ Covenant Church

67 Scudder Avenue

Copiague, NY 11726

Make sure you visit Heart & Voice to see the carols we'll be singing...learn your harmony part!

Before the " Long Prayer"....

Into the Holy Place,
Now to the Throne of Grace,
We seek God's holy Face,
Boldly we come.

O Father, hear our prayer,
And in Your loving care,
All our petitions bear,
Through Christ Your Son.

Amen!

Just in time for Christmas....

H&V is pleased to announce the soon arrival of more learning tracks for the Advent ~ Christmas Season. Here is the list of forthcoming songs and their generous sponsors:

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
The Advent of Our God
Sponsor: Pastor Jason Biette & Oakwood Bible Church

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
O Come All Ye Faithful
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Sponsor: Pastor John G. Fleischmann & Christ Lutheran Church



Angels We Have Heard on High
Sponsor: Max Schnettler(member of Christ Covenant Church)




We are hoping to increase our library of Learning Tracks, especially Advent Hymns and Christmas Carols. You can help! Sponsor a song or two and help us help others to sing the glorious message of Christmas with joy and skill!

Your $50 donation will produce the 5 tracks...soprano, alto, tenor ,bass, and full-mix...for one song. These are placed on our website for anyone to use for FREE.

Here are some songs of the Season we would like to have in our library:

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Silent Night
The First Noel

Choose one, and send your donation to:

Christ Covenant Church
Heart &Voice Project
5 Harvard Drive
Hampton Bays, NY 11946

And we thank you for making a the Heart & Voice Project a success!

Blessings

Pastor Brian L. Penney, President of Heart & Voice

Christ Covenant Church

Joy to the World

Start practicing your part now to this much loved Christmas carol, and by Christmas you'll have it mastered, eyes closed! Make sure you sing all the verses, especially the one about "His blessings flow, far as the curse is found." You'll soon be a postmillenialist!

Free Joy to the World Learning Tracks over here.

For Friends at the King's Chapel

From Psalm 59....

From those who hate me, O my God, deliver,
They rise against me--Lord, be my Defender.
Bloodthirsty men of sin, workers of iniquity;
From them, O save me!

Like hungry dogs, around the city prowling,
Their lips are swords, I hear their evil growling.
For look, they lie in wait in the darkness secretly;
From them, O save me!

But God shall laugh and hold them in derision,
God is my strength--Yea, this is my confession.
Scatter them by Your pow'r, my desire let me see;
From them, O save me!

Now I will sing, for You, O Lord, have saved me,
And in the morning, thank You for Your mercy.
You are my sure defense, and my help through evil days;
So I shall sing Your praise!

Tune:Iste Confessor, Poitiers Antiphoner, 1746
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009

Two New Learning Tracks @ H&V

There are two new hymns in learning track format up at the new Heart & Voice website...take a look and sing along! Do you have any psalms or hymns you would like to see added to our learning track list? Send them to blp22 at optonline dot net. Also, there is a new blog on the website that will be taking over from this one soon. Take a look here...you might find the post interesting.

New H&V Website....

under construction, that is. Take a look: www.heartandvoice.weebly.com

Some H&V news

Heart & Voice travels the world-wide net to England...

First, the man:
Richard Irwin (b. 1955) is well known as an Internet Entrepreneur as well as a writer, composer, arranger and singer. His popular web site hymnswithoutwords.com has thousands of visitors each month who download his arrangements of hymns. He lives on the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, England with his wife Nicky and has two children. He is Director of Music for the Parish of Holy Cross Chiseldon.

Second, the website:
www.hymnswithoutwords.com

Third, our place:
http://www.hymnswithoutwords.com/hymns/Category:Brian_L._Penney

Check out the rest of the site....lots of hymn resources!

And from Canada....

H&V is working with this experienced singer to produce more 4-part learning tracks for psalms and hymns on our website:

My name is Daniel Gillis, and I have been singing for over 30 years! My career started as a boy chorister, where I learned to sight-read. I was introduced to barbershop singing in 1983 by Fred Christmas, a family friend and a previous director of the Hamilton Chorus.

I completed my studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music for Voice and Piano, and began my professional singing career in Victoria, British Columbia as tenor soloist for the choir of St John the Divine.

My first chorus experience within the barbershop community was as a tenor with the Plymouth Pilgrimaires in Devon, UK in 1990. The next year I sang with The City of Lakes Chorus in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Continuing my singing career in Ottawa, Ontario I have been tenor soloist in various churches and cathedrals. In 2002, I began singing as a classical counter-tenor, and since then I have sung in both ranges. For example, I have sung as both tenor and counter-tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah.

I have been fortunate to sing as soloist with a number of excellent choirs, including Musica Divina, 17 Voyces, The Bach Choir, Cantata Singers and St Matthew's Choir. I have also been able to continue my acting career with leading tenor roles in 5 G&S Operas, 2 Shakespeare plays, Hair the Musical, and Grease.

I have been in several a cappella groups, including the Acafellas (doo-wop), SAIJ (boy-band), Quintessence (jazz), and more recently Strike Four! which won the Novice Quartet trophy in 2005 and Common Interest, which won the Ontario District Championship in 2007! I sang with the Capital City Chorus for several years as a tenor, and was the lead section leader for the last year before I left Ottawa. I currently live in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in northern Canada.

You can hear more samples of his work at Vocal Harmonies.

Daniel is looking forward to assisting in the H&V learning track project. We have 10 psalms and hymns ready for him to produce...5 tracks for each song: soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and all together. We've been quoted a discount price of $500 to produce all 10. Here's where the big sign goes up...HELP. Seriously, we would appreciate any funding help you might be so inclined to send our way to get this project off the ground. Please send your donations to:

Heart & Voice Project
5 Harvard Drive
Hampton Bays, NY 11946

Checks should be made out to Christ Covenant Church, with a notation for H&V project.

Thanks!

Brian

P.S. Send us a list of your church's favorite psalms and hymns and we'll consider making learning tracks for them.

Crossroads Quartet

Just for harmonizing fun here's the 2009 Barbershop champs singing Roll, Jordan, Roll.

My Shepherd is the Living God
~ Psalm 23 ~


My Shepherd is the living God,
My needs He has supplied;
In pastures green, by waters still,
He is my faithful Guide.

And though I walk through shades of death,
No evil will I fear;
Your rod and staff, they comfort me,
For You are always near.

A Table You have spread for me,
Before surrounding foes;
The oil of joy anoints my head,
My cup, Lord, overflows.

Your goodness and Your mercy, Lord,
Shall follow me always;
And I shall dwell within Your house,
Fore’er to sing Your praise.

____________________________
Tune: Brother James's Air, James Leith Macbeth Bain, (1840-1925)
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2008
(the last two lines of each verse are repeated)

Heart & Voice Multi-track Contest

In the works...for you video, 4-part, multi-trackers and those aspiring thereunto, a contest. The broad outline goes like this:

1.We provide a Christian psalm or hymn for you to sing (everyone will get the same song).
2. You may sing the song straight or arrange it.
3. Be as creative as you like with the video...your smiling face, or still pictures, or video clips.
4. The judges will decide the winners for cash prizes: first, second, third, and honorable mention.
5. Sponsors will be sought to fund the promotion, prizes, etc.
6. All videos will be featured on our website.
7. Winners will have the option to help us produce 4-part training audios/videos for the Heart & Voice ministry. (for pay, of course!)

More information will be forthcoming, so watch here. In the meantime, here's a tag that demonstrates kinda what we are looking for....

Beautiful Savior

How 'bout some more Vance Perry?

Listen very carefully....

And Can It Be..the Glad Arrangement

Here is another multitrack by Vance Perry...nicely done!



Hear more Vance....some hymns here and also Barbershop stuff. Notice the careful crafting in his harmony singing! Congregations can be taught to sing more skillfully in 4-part harmony too! We're doing it with our Singing Schools. Why not schedule one for your church!

A 4-part choir of one! Wow!

Vance Perry...now that's harmony!

Benedictus (new)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
For the Lord has come, His people to redeem,
And in David’s house salvation’s horn is seen.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
For the promise He has made, He shall fulfill,
And His cov’nant to us, He remembers still.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
When foes draw near, He shall save us from their hand,
That we might serve Him, and in righteousness stand.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
He has sent His prophet to prepare His way,
To tell of His salvation before His face.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
The Dayspring from on high has come to our aid,
To give light to those who sit in death’s dark shade.

________________________________
Tune: Christmas Hymn, William Knapp, 1743
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009 (from Luke 2:68-79)
(Note: Second half of each verse is repeated)

For Isaiah Buck

Come Now, and Let Us to the Lord

Come now, and let us to the Lord,
Return with all our heart;
For He will heal and He will bind,
What He has torn apart.

And it shall be in two days time,
That revival He shall give;
E'en on the third day raise us up,
That in His sight we'll live.

O let us know with all our heart,
With all our soul and mind;
The knowledge of the Lord our God,
O let us seek and find.

Sure as the morning, is our God,
And as the rising sun;
Like rain is sent upon the earth,
So to us He shall come!

_________________________
Tune: Westerham, West Gallery Psalter( no date)
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009 (from Hosea 6:1-3)

For Palm Sunday ~ 2009

O Who Is This in Lowly State?

O Who is this in lowly state,
Upon a donkey's foal;
Amid the wond'ring multitude,
Along the dusty road?

The Son of David takes His seat,
Not on a throne of gold;
But rides His steed in humbleness,
As prophets have foretold.

Hosanna! shouts the swelling throng,
With palms in hand they sing;
To David's blessed Son they cry,
Hosanna to our King!

Behold, this King comes as a Lamb,
A sacrifice for sin;
A greater than a Solomon,
An ancient war to win.

What glory this? A rugged cross,
And on His noble head;
A crown of thorns, a mocking shame,
The King now joins the dead.

But He shall break Hell's prison bars,
And set death's captives free;
We all shall shout Hosanna then,
And sing eternally!

____________________-
Tune: Dorchester, West Gallery Psalter, 1810
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009

We take pleasure in recommending to you Michael Owens' Genevan Psalter website.

www.genevanpsalter.com

And while we are at it, we remind you of Arise & Sing which features Michael singing H&V psalms and hymns.

Find samples here.
Purchase the CD and sheet music here.

Another Round for Children

Lay Up Treasures in Heav'n

Lay up treasures in heav'n---
No moth, no rust, no robbers may destroy;
Where your treasure, there your heart shall be!

______________________________
Tune: 3-part round, Hey, Ho, Nobody Home, 1609
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2008

In the Temple the Children Sang

In the Temple the children sang,
And through its courts their voices rang;
Hosanna sing, Hosanna sing,
Hosanna sing to our King.
Hosanna sing, Hosanna sing,
Singing praises to our King.

_______________________________
Tune: 3-part round, Now We Are Met, 18th century
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2008

Heart & Voice Singing School & Conference
April 25th, 2009
at
Christ Lutheran Church
100 Frowein Road
East Moriches, NY 11940

Sing to the Lord with Heart & Voice! This is a special invitation to you...join us Saturday, April 25th at Christ Lutheran Church, East Moriches, NY for a day of joyful singing, fellowship, and instruction:

• Learn what the Bible says about worship and worship music.
• Learn to sing a harmony part that fits your voice range.
• Learn to sing and harmonize in group singing.
• Learn the history of congregational singing in the church.

Here’s the schedule for the day:
8:30 ~ 9:00 Registration/ coffee & donuts
9:00 ~ 9:30 Welcome, Introductions and Singing
9:30 ~ 10:30 Session #1: Reformation Roots: Let God’s People Sing!
Rev. John Fleischmann
10:30 ~ 10:45 Morning Break
10:45 ~ 11:00 Heart & Voice Choir part-singing demonstration
11:00 ~ 12:00 Session #2: Singing School & Section Rehearsal
Neil Shah
12:00 ~ 1:00 Lunch Break
1:00 ~ 2:00 Session #3: Shaping the Hymnody of American Voices
Rev. Ron Weinbaum
2:00 ~ 2:15 Afternoon Break
2:15 ~ 3:15 Session #4: Singing School & Section Rehearsal
Neil Shah
3:15 ~ 3:30 The Grand Finale & Closing

Go to www.heartandvoice.net and listen to these hymns which we will be learning:
• Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
• Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
• From Heaven, O Praise the Lord
• Trust in the Lord

This is a free singing school & conference, and lunch is provided by our gracious hosts!. An offering will be taken to help with costs.

Call 631-594-1377
or
email: blp22@optonline.net
for more information.

Teach Us, O Lord

Teach us, O Lord, with all our heart,
With all our soul, and all our mind;
To love Thee with a steadfast love:
This Law, a statute most sublime.

And likewise to our neighbor show,
A sacrificial love like Thee;
Who offered up Thine only Son,
To bear our sin and set us free.

O Lord our God, to Thee we cry,
Have mercy on us now we pray;
Incline our hearts to keep this Law,
And lead us in the perfect way.

______________________
Tune: Distress, William Walker, 1835
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009

Rejoice, Our Weekly Work is Done

Rejoice, our weekly work is done,
Another Lord's Day has begun;
O welcome, sacred day of rest,
The day that God Himself has blessed.
(Refrain 2x)
Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome,
Day that God Himself has blessed;
O welcome, sacred day of rest,
The day that God Himself has blessed

Let us devote this joyous day,
To thanks and praise, and let us pray,
That as we worship God above,
We all would know the Savior's love.
(Refrain)

Now with the saints all gathered 'round,
We seek the Lord where He is found;
By Word and Sacrament we know,
His love and grace to us will flow.
(Refrain)

And from this place and from this Day,
The Lord shall send us on our way;
To do His work another week,
And then return, His favor seek.
(Refrain)

__________________________
Tune: Angels' Song, Hesperian Harp, 1848
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009

Have You Not Known?

Have you not known nor heard?
Has none of this been told?
Above the circle of the earth,
Jehovah sits enthroned.

Have you not known nor heard?
God of eternity,
Creator of the universe,
Shall never fainting be.

To whom shall we compare,
And who has equal fame?
For God brings out the starry host,
And calls each one by name.

Young men may faint and fall,
Be ruined utterly;
But those who wait upon the Lord,
Shall like the eagles be.

_______________________________
Tune: New Hope, Ananias Davisson, 1820
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009

O Sing Aloud to God Our Strength
Psalm 81

O sing aloud to God our strength,
With joy lift up your voice;
To Jacob's God all raise a shout,
And let your heart rejoice.

Now bring your instruments of praise,
This joyful psalm to sing;
The pleasant harp, the lute most sweet,
And let the timbrel ring.

The time has come, the trumpet blow,
Announce this festal day;
The statute of our solemn feast,
We joyfully obey.

O come you people, heed God's voice,
And walk in all His ways;
He turns His hand against our foes,
Subdues our enemies.

The Lord is good, He shall supply,
Now open your mouth wide;
He with the choicest foods shall feed,
Till all are satisfied.

______________________________________
Tune: Lincoln tune, West Gallery Psalter, unknown date
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2009
( each part sings a line from each verse, then all sing together repeating the last two lines.)

The Word Made Flesh

Creator of the universe,
The Word made flesh, and for our curse,
In great humiliation came,
To bear our sin, our guilt, and shame.

He made the trees, the rocks and hills,
The rolling fields, the sun that fills
This world with ever-shining light;
The splendor of the stars of night.

To Him a crown of thorns was giv'n,
A mocking robe, by madness driv'n;
And nailed upon a cross of wood,
Upon a lonely hill it stood.

The sun grew dark above His head,
The sky in which His fingers spread
The sun, the moon, the stars of space;
Shone not upon His bloodied face.

The ground grew wet with drops of blood,
And all around we sinners stood,
That He, forsaken in our place,
Might wash us by His loving grace.

_____________________________
Tune: Brookfield, William Billings, 1770
Lyrics: Brian L. Penney, 2008