MARK YOU CALENDAR FOR THE 1^st DRUM CIRCLE OF 2015!

January 10^th, 2015 will be the first day of our community drum circle, hosted by SongHarper Music. Arrive at the Cleveland County Art’s Council as early as 12:00pm to get your seat and warm your fingers and toes. We will play till about 1:30pm. This event is FREE and open to the community! Bring your drums; bring your family and friends. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! From 12:00-12:30 I will host a free introductory lesson on drum technique for anyone who is interested in tips or advice before the event gets started. If you’ve got extra drums, bring them so someone else can play. The whole point of the drum circle is to provide a fun, safe environment for all community members to make music, free of judgment or criticism. It is about pooling our talents and sharing our knowledge to create something greater than ourselves. This musical experience is geared toward all members of the community, but I want to extend a special invitation to the ASL, deaf, and hearing-impaired community members. Come FEEL THE RYHTHM. If you are interested in being a silent observer, please come on and enjoy the tranquility and healing power of a drum circle. If you are a dancer/hula hooper/Native American flute player/artist/vocalist/photographer/videographer/etc. then please come support this artistic union of minds and hearts.

Music has slowly been taken out of the hands of the public and THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET IT BACK! Empower yourself with the gift of music creation and social unity. This is your first amendment right in action! Contact Justin for more information: Justin@songharper.com or call: 704-600-5138

Cleveland County Arts Council

(704) 484-2787

Cleveland County Music Initiative

Some people in Cleveland County want to see music flourish. Are you one of those people?  I want to know if you are interested. If you are, send me an email at Justin@songharper.com, also feel free to ask any questions you may want answered about the future of music in our community or just state your opinion.

            I also want to know: Who is teaching violin lessons in the Cleveland County area? Also, who teaches cello, bass, and viola? If you have had an experience with a strings teacher, let me know whom you recommend. You can call and leave a short message if you need to: 704-600-5138.

            I have been watching the area grow for years and it is exciting to see our county move into a direction that welcomes the arts. Are you ready to grow?

I know there are a few place to learn music. If you are interested in Rock/Blues/Pop, local musician Jonathan Sloan is really making a difference. Also, Shelby Music Center has a variety of teachers. Crystal McDaniel at McDaniel studio is a popular piano and voice (especially opera) teacher.

November 1^st may seem like a long time away, but if you have a church group that is interested in performing, now is the time to plan. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church is planning to have a Fall Festival with live music. It will raise money to benefit homeless kids in Cleveland County. Mike McKinnish and his band, Sons of Sinai, are organizing the event and they are looking for your help. They found out there were close to 130 children in Cleveland County who have no place to call home. Mike’s heart was heavy to this burden and this led him to the director of the Abuse Prevention Council. He learned that when the shelters close, grant money helps pay rent for the women with children who need housing. There is a shortage of grant money. Mike shares, “The objective is to bring all the churches in this area together to spread the word of Christ and helping these homeless kids in our area that we are liable for as human beings (and) especially as Christians.” The bands included in this event are: Sons of Sinai, Tower of Mercy, Damascus Road, Mercy Heart, Blood Bought, and solo performances by Jeremy Naivey and Jonathan Laughter. They are asking RA, GA, and Youth groups to host booths, games and food to help raise money for this worthy cause. So far, music will begin at 12 noon. We are asking the community to help: Any church groups, bands, or individuals who feel called to participate can call Mike McKinnish at (704) 477-4622.

 

As children take their seats, the humming and droning sounds of string instruments tuning fills the air with excitement. There must be magic in their bows.

Jefferson Elementary students were entertained by a talented group of musicians under the direction of John Champney. The Shelby High School Orchestra brought their violins, violas, cellos, basses, as well as a drum set to inspire young children with the joys of music. Champney used the sections of the orchestra to explain the texture and sound of stringed instruments. The students also learned about the structure of music and how elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony can come together to create the full experience of orchestra. They played a medley of modern pop songs that included, “Let It Go,” from Disney’s Frozen, Bastille’s “Pompeii,”  Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” and the grand finale, “What Does the Fox Say?”

The Shelby High School Orchestra is phenomenal! The students who have dedicated their time to learning an instrument have done themselves a favor. Their careers as students have been amplified, and their lives have been enriched as a result of simply dedicating the time and attention to following a conductor. Knowing just the right place to put their fingers because of muscle memory, or just listening to the other members and tuning in to their interpretation of the music is a skill that will make well-rounded college graduates and future community leaders. Please, encourage your child to try a musical arts program when they get the chance in 6^th grade or come out and support your local public school band, choir, or orchestra. Thank you Shelby High School Orchestra!

Do you want to hear live music?

Many of us don’t really remember the days of front porch picking and family jam sessions. Earl Scruggs grew up around many musicians that shaped and molded him into the legacy we know today. His skill was not developed overnight; it took gentle molding from the influences of those around him. These days folks doesn’t live next to the mill, walk to work, or spend the evening entertaining the family anymore. So how are we going to develop our musical community? It’s simple: Open Mic Night! If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive by Newt’s in uptown Shelby on a Thursday night and see a smiling bunch of troubadours, make it a point to peek into our world one evening. Our front porch is the right there on the streets of Shelby. It is a blank canvas for musicians and an example of street artistry for the passive observer. A place where you can hear original songs for the first time, or hear familiar songs played with a spirit of unity and fellowship. I don’t mean to get philosophical, but something great is happening and it keeps getting bigger and better. This kid friendly entertainment welcomes all ages; we have had performers from 3 to 82 years old. I want to invite you to come see the magic, please bring your favorite musician or singer with you and encourage them to showcase their talents. The schedule for Open Mic Night is every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday from 7-10pm. Come enjoy your very own community of ‘front porch pickers.’

A call to musicians and singers!

Do you know someone who has been turned off by church? Maybe they had an experience that made them feel uncomfortable or have never stepped foot in a church for fear of judgment of their looks, piercings, tattoos, etc. If you or someone you know is in need of a unique church that is contemporary and centered on people experiencing God’s Grace in their lives, The Grace Place might be the place. This is geared toward people who need love and acceptance, as their slogan says, “no fear tactics, guilt trips, ‘to-do’ steps, or religious rule-keeping…just love.” Lead pastor, Chris Kratzer, is forming a launch team for this developing church. The launch team is a group of people interested in getting the vision into a building. Chris is looking for a team of 50 people with a goal of a launching The Grace Place in September.

This week, I found myself describing how children’s voices should sound as ‘angelic.’ The children that sang in the Cleveland County Elementary Honors Chorus event were the perfect representation of those heavenly sounds. In case you didn’t make it out to the concert last week, you can listen to it online! If you go to my website, www.SongHarper.com, click on the picture of the choir. There you will find a link to a FREE DOWNLOAD of the songs recorded from the night of the concert in both .mp3 and .mp4 format! Please share this with any young person interested in singing. Moreover, if you knew someone who sang in the concert, please share it with them or burn it to a CD and they can cherish it forever.

If you have a child who likes to sing and is too young for this opportunity, they can sing in public at an event that happens twice EVERY MONTH. Open Mic Night has been a great addition to the entertainment at Shelby’s favorite burger joint, Newt’s. On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday’s of each month, musicians and singers from all around flock to play or listen to live music. We have had people from all walks of life join us in making real music for real people, no CD’s or iPods. So your 3 year old doesn’t play guitar? It’s ok, I have a plan. If you get up there and sing with them and hold the microphone to their mouth, they will have the confidence to get ‘on stage’ and the assurance of knowing that they are singing the right notes and words because Mommy (or Daddy) is right there. The musicians are happy to help and accompany on a verse of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or perhaps any song… It starts at 7pm, let’s get Cleveland County singing!

Why does music make us feel good?

Have you ever been listening to ‘your song’ and realized that you are suddenly in a good mood?  Sometimes it is two thirds of the way through the song, maybe somewhere before the last group of choruses. The song builds and builds and then it just hits you like a load of bricks. Your hand turns up the radio just a little louder, followed by the funny looks from the other drivers at the stoplight because you are singing out loud. Or maybe you get you ‘feel goods’ when you are thinking about the words to your favorite gospel songs. This feeling wells up inside of you and the Spirit moves you to sing. The chemical in your brain called dopamine controls the ‘feel good’ to which we are referring. It can cause your pulse to increase, a change in emotions, along with changes to your heart rate and breathing rate. It is in fact the same feeling you get when you are in ‘love.’ Music has been a part of our human experience for a very long time. In fact, some scientists speculate music has been a part of us for over 10,000 years. I like to experiment with my youngest elementary school students to help them realize how music is already a part of them. Thumbs up if it sounds good, thumbs down if it doesn’t. I play one note (middle C) on the piano. Mostly thumbs up. I then play them two notes (middle C and E). Still thumbs up. After playing a few acceptable sounding harmonies, I play some very dissonant sounds like C and Db or a cluster of notes. Immediately, the kids recognize it a sound they do not like. The same concept can be found when listening to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata in Am” and they say, “It sounds sad!” Or I play the song “Happy” sung by Pharrell Williams and they all jump up and start dancing. Music is ingrained in your brain. Take advantage of your power to choose what you expose your ears to and how it can affect your life.

Do you sing anymore?

After reading a recent questionnaire asking, “Do you sing in the Shower?”

I was surprised to find out that many people do not sing because they are dissatisfied with their voices. What makes a good singing voice? What is the difference between the sound of Bruno Mars or Bob Dylan?!?

The first thing you need to know is that singing comes from the body. Your brain communicating to the muscles and propelling the notes in your head out into the world using air produces the sound of singing. In the past, I asked a singer, “What is the secret to good singing?” And he answered, “You HAVE to fall in love with the sound of your OWN voice.” Sing songs that compliment your sound or the sound you are trying to achieve.

So how do I become a better singer?

First, find a song you like and start to sing it anywhere you feel comfortable. SING IN THE SHOWER! You can get a good sound in the shower because your voice is bouncing off so many different angles and back to your ear that you can actually hear yourself. Oh, you don’t sound very good? That is normal! Now, you must sing consistently so that you can improve your sound and get in tune. That hardest part is being able to hear yourself. Next, sing in the microphone. This way you will hear yourself coming through an amplified source and have a better understanding of your voice. With a discerning ear, you will discover how you need to improve. Learn how to warm-up your voice. Learn how to sing in tune with others. And most of all, LEARN HOW TO LOVE YOU OWN VOICE.

Everybody’s favorite Uptown burger joint, Newt’s, is featuring live music! With this weekend’s extravagant welcoming of the Earl Scruggs Center, Shelby will now host a consistent dose of music from the corner of Washington Street and Warren Street. Now, on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday, every month there will be an opportunity for musicians to gather and perform for the public at Open Mic Night from 7-10pm. If you are interested in participating, contact call Justin at 704-600-5138 to reserve a timeslot or come to Newt’s to signup between 6pm and 7pm on Open Mic Night. Be sure to come visit us next Thursday, January 23^rd, because it will be the long awaited Kid Needz CD Release Party! 

Just what is "Open Mic Night"?

Open Mic Night is a venue where all levels of musicians can participate in a live performance. No matter how young or old, “Open Mic Night” is an opportunity for musicians and vocalists to showcase songs and talents in front of a crowd. Not to be confused with "Karaoke," where the words and music are provided to the participant, "Open Mic Night" is for people who play an instrument or who can sing the words without the help of a TV screen. Even though it may seem complicated to play your own accompaniment, usually "Open Mic Night" musicians are glad to 'sit in' and help out newcomers.