Topic: Has the Praise Team weakened the Choir? (Read 10942 times)

ldr1971 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2006, 03:43:37 AM »

Yes, it has weakned the choir. I think feel that is harder now to find music for the choir because most of the artist's muisc is praise and worship. You rarely here "choir" songs anymore. It is all praise and worship. If any of you can suggests choirs for me to listen too, post me back. thanks.

stevenf977 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 14, 2006, 12:35:56 AM »

Its funny I am seeing this topic because I was coming on here to ask some advice about a similar situation. There has been a praise team formed in our church also. We also have 2 other Choir. 1) The Overall Choir which sings and rehearses every so ofter 2) we have a choir we call Total Praise, they don't sing every week but they do rehearse weekly to learn new songs. 3) The Praise Team.

The praise team is the one thats hand picked. The choirs are open to anyone. I actually lead the Total Praise Choir and i am not sure how to look at this situation. share with me some scriptures that would help my heart look at this in a righteous way please.

Situation.

The total Praise Choir has a selection of songs that we have been singing and we pick up new ones every so often. Well I was just informed that the Praise Team is taking one of the songs that The Total Praise Choir has been singing and they are going to sing it. I do know that the Total Praise Choir will struggle with this situation because they feel like they are not respected when it comes to singing a lot of times. I would like some input on this situation.

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2006, 12:49:15 AM »

i miss choirs

vwebster · « **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:56:58 AM »

To a certain degree, I think yes. I really think it depends on individuals in the praise team, musicians, etc. 1st of all, all songs belong to God. So, one sect should not be able to really take a song from another. Both groups should be able to sing it and bring their uniqueness or interpretation to it. 2nd - Choose praise team members with the right spirit - not the right voices - and find the right songs to encourage the pastor and the congregation. I like to think of a praise team as that HOT cup of coffee before everyone is fully awake. So, I think the praise team should complement the choir. But, the wrong attitudes can cause really big problems and rivalries. When that happens, I say terminate the praise team - until everyone is "mature" enough to handle the experience.

You know, every once in awhile you'll have a diva in a choir. I think the choir director's job is to encourage, but also to spiritually check - not in an obnoxious manner. Just find some other people to put out front for awhile or use songs that don't require leads for awhile. But, work with some of those voices that we would call average. And, even work with some voices, that you may think are hopeless. It's not unusual for someone to sing and the notes may not be right, but man when you heard the words, you could feel the spirit and it was actually better than the Whitney wanna be.

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:03:28 AM »

matter of fact you can tell that choirs for the most have been weaken just look at how many choirs released cds to how many groups or soloist have released cds over the last 10yrs. there has been a great decline in choirs putting out cds.

Loopy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:55:34 PM »

Quote from: musiqisme26 on May 14, 2006, 12:49:15 AM

i miss choirs

I do, too, man. I love praise teams - for praise and worship, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING can take the place of a choir. Especially one with robes and tambourines!! At least when I go to the Jurisdictional Convocation musicals I still get top hear good choirs, the state choir, etc. For a choir-lover like me, I thank GOD for COGIC!!!

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2006, 06:16:09 PM »

loopy you brought a tear to my eye

do you remember midnight musicals on friday night during convocation

Fantom · « **Reply #27 on:** May 19, 2006, 10:11:29 AM »

OFTEN TIMES THE CONGREGATION VIEWS THE PRAISE TEAM AS THE "CHEERLEADERS" OF THE CHURCH. TO GET THEM PUMPED AND PRIMED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SERVICE. I ENJOY THE PRAISE TEAM!! I THINK THEY ARE AN INTREGAL PART. THE CHOIR SEEMS TO BE THE PORTION OF THE SERVICE TO SET THE PASTOR UP PRIOR TO BRINGING THE WORD.

BUT I DON'T THINK THE PRAISE TEAM WEAKENS, BUT SHOULD REINFORCE THE CHOIRS EFFORTS.

B BLESSED
FANTOM

Gospelstar21 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 23, 2006, 04:26:25 PM »

I feel like yes praise teams have kinda taken over...but its not over for choirs at all..I'm praise and worship leader at my church, and i find that it is alot easier to teach a praise team then a choir...but there is nothing like an off the chain choir...I mean it leaves u breathless...

Loopy · « **Reply #29 on:** May 25, 2006, 07:45:32 AM »

Quote from: musiqisme26 on May 16, 2006, 06:16:09 PM

loopy you brought a tear to my eye

do you remember midnight musicals on friday night during convocation

YES LAWD!!! Those were the days! Remember, many of the BEST singers EVER were products of midnight musicals and state choirs!

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 25, 2006, 05:25:19 PM »

A moment of silence for CHOIRS (I dont mean oversized praise teams).........choirs will make a comeback

rdperry1 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 31, 2006, 10:50:28 AM »

This is a very interesting topic, and I want to add my two cents. I don't think that Praise Teams have weakened Choirs, and I certainly don't think that they can replace choirs. I do believe that there is a wonderful purpose intended by God to have saints enter into corporate worship in spirit and in truth.

When Choirs sing, they sing a few selections before the Man or Woman of God brings forth the word. The idea is to set the tone for the ministry. Sometimes there is just a solo selection done by someone.

However, when the Praise and Worship Teams sing, the idea is for the congregation to join in with the singing and ultimately enter into the worship experience. It's a special place where we worship Him, and I'm sure that you've heard of this place. It's called the (Holy of Holies).

In closing, I truly believe that whatever we do for Christ should be done in spirit and in truth whether we're a Choir or a Praise Team. We need to remember that we are all in this together, and all the Glory goes to God.

Be Blessed

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 31, 2006, 03:20:39 PM »

Quote from: rdperry1 on May 31, 2006, 10:50:28 AM

This is a very interesting topic, and I want to add my two cents. I don't think that Praise Teams have weakened Choirs, and I certainly don't think that they can replace choirs. I do believe that there is a wonderful purpose intended by God to have saints enter into corporate worship in spirit and in truth.

When Choirs sing, they sing a few selections before the Man or Woman of God brings forth the word. The idea is to set the tone for the ministry. Sometimes there is just a solo selection done by someone.

However, when the Praise and Worship Teams sing, the idea is for the congregation to join in with the singing and ultimately enter into the worship experience. It's a special place where we worship Him, and I'm sure that you've heard of this place. It's called the (Holy of Holies).

In closing, I truly believe that whatever we do for Christ should be done in spirit and in truth whether we're a Choir or a Praise Team. We need to remember that we are all in this together, and all the Glory goes to God.

Be Blessed

sounds like you dont go to a new age church most new mega or wannabe mega churches primarily use praise teams in the place of choirs and some are so bad that they use choirs to back up a praise team

msnoody · « **Reply #33 on:** May 31, 2006, 04:50:09 PM »

Don't take this the wrong way, but when you hear music, you want it to sound good. I say that because someone mentioned that one should look for the best spirit and not just the best talent (voice), and although that sounds good, everyone was not called to sing. But I also think that a person that can sing their butts off but don't have any anointing can't move anybody into worship. The key is balance, a good voice and the right spirit, and although it may be hard to find, I doubt it's impossible.

I love choir music. I think that's why D. Lawrence is one of my favorite gospel artists. The solo artists are nice, but I grew up in choirs that were pretty big time locally (in Atlanta) and maybe even further (Free for All, T.S. Clay), and to this day I still remember some of those songs we used to sing, and me and my cousins and aunts and uncles will break one out in a minute. That music stays with you. And although it may be harder to work with more people, the right person can make just about anybody sound good (trust me I know some). And the sound that comes from a great choir, undescribable. I LOVE IT!!!

rdperry1 · « **Reply #34 on:** June 01, 2006, 07:33:20 AM »

Quote from: musiqisme26 on May 31, 2006, 03:20:39 PM

sounds like you dont go to a new age church most new mega or wannabe mega churches primarily use praise teams in the place of choirs and some are so bad that they use choirs to back up a praise team

Your'e right I don't belong to a new age church, but I've been around, and I'm still convinced that Praise Teams do not weaken Choirs.

Msmoody makes a relevant point when she posted that there should be a balance in whatever ministry you are involved in.

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 01, 2006, 07:37:22 AM »

should be and is are two different things

perception isnt truth

sjonathan02 · « **Reply #36 on:** June 01, 2006, 07:43:05 AM »

Whether or not the advent of the praise team weakening the choir varys from church to church. Point blank and period. As far as finding "choir" music, there's still plenty of stuff out there. One has to be willing to look, or begin to write songs yourself.

I think we put too much emphasis on placing the blame on other people not meeting our expectations of how things should be, when we can resolve these issues ourselves.

musiqisme26 · « **Reply #37 on:** June 01, 2006, 07:46:19 AM »

sjonathan please name 5 recording choirs worth listening to and i mean choirs not oversized praise teams that has put something out within the last year and ill even give a headstart

1. Hezekiah Walker & LFC
2.
3.
4.
5.

Loopy · « **Reply #38 on:** June 01, 2006, 09:59:29 AM »

I know this challenge was given to Sjon, but I'll bite if that's OK!

(Sjon feel free to add any that I miss)

1. Hezekiah Walker & L.F.C. - "The 20/85 Experience"
2. Reed's Temple Choir - "Now Is The Time"
3. Bishop Eddie Long & the New Birth Total Praise Choir - "A New Beginning"
4. Donald lawrence & the Tri-City Singers - "The Finale (Acts I and II)"
5. Darrel Petties & S.I.P. - "Count It All Joy"
6. New Direction - "Send the Praise"
7. Rodnie Bryant & CCMC - "Change of Seasons"
8. Eddie Baltrip & Fulfillment - "Instrument of Praise"
9. Youthful Praise - "Live...The Praise!...The Worship!"
10. Malcolm Williams & Great Faith - "Walking In My Destiny"
11. Walt Whitman & the Soul Children of Chicago - "Reaching the Nations"

These are just SOME of the choir-oriented projects that have been released recently, most of them Billboard-charting projects. Looks like choir music is not as "dead" as we think!!!! It's definitely out there, and there is still a demand for it!!

BTW< I would even venture to say that Tye Tribbett and G.A.'s "Victory" is a choir project, too!! I know I will be teaching a couple of the songs to my youth choir. And this is not to even mention the choir projects that are on the horizon, like James Hall's new one slated to be released later this year!

sjonathan02 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 01, 2006, 01:56:36 PM »

Quote from: Loopy on June 01, 2006, 09:59:29 AM

I know this challenge was given to Sjon, but I'll bite if that's OK! (Sjon feel free to add any that I miss)

1. Hezekiah Walker & L.F.C. - "The 20/85 Experience"
2. Reed's Temple Choir - "Now Is The Time"
3. Bishop Eddie Long & the New Birth Total Praise Choir - "A New Beginning"
4. Donald lawrence & the Tri-City Singers - "The Finale (Acts I and II)"
5. Darrel Petties & S.I.P. - "Count It All Joy"
6. New Direction - "Send the Praise"
7. Rodnie Bryant & CCMC - "Change of Seasons"
8. Eddie Baltrip & Fulfillment - "Instrument of Praise"
9. Youthful Praise - "Live...The Praise!...The Worship!"
10. Malcolm Williams & Great Faith - "Walking In My Destiny"
11. Walt Whitman & the Soul Children of Chicago - "Reaching the Nations"

These are just SOME of the choir-oriented projects that have been released recently, most of them Billboard-charting projects. Looks like choir music is not as "dead" as we think!!!! It's definitely out there, and there is still a demand for it!!

BTW< I would even venture to say that Tye Tribbett and G.A.'s "Victory" is a choir project, too!! I know I will be teaching a couple of the songs to my youth choir. And this is not to even mention the choir projects that are on the horizon, like James Hall's new one slated to be released later this year!

You're missing the tried and true choirs

1. Georgia Mass Choir
2. Chicago Mass Choir
3. Mississippi Mass Choir
4. Shekinah Glory Ministries
5. Colorado Mass Choir

Now, you may feel some type of way about these choirs (or their type of music/sound, etc); and you're perfectly within your right to feel that way. However, the choir isn't going away any time soon.

You know, I misread your post. I thought it read 'in the last 5 years'. But, I still stand by statements and choices for that matter.

Author Topic: Has the Praise Team weakened the Choir? (Read 10942 times)