Blog archives for December, 2003

Well, it is about to happen — our band goes into the “studio” this Saturday. Well, I say “studio” because we will be recording at the engineer’s house rather than a professional studio. But we are going to begin the process of making a CD.

The basic process we are going to take is to record a scratch track of us playing live. This track will be used to sync up all solo recording tracks in the future. It should also allow each of us to feel like we are playing with the band when in fact we will be the only person in the studio (besides the engineer) when that tracking work is done.

I know that this will be a humbling experience since the recorder will catch every mistake that any of us make. But it will also be a growing experience as well. Out of this process we should become a better band, have a better understanding of the recording process, and hopefully have a CD that we can share with others that we are not to ashamed to have them listen to

Like the past 3 years, I once again have agreed to lead the music at two of the Christmas Eve worship services at my church. Like Easter, Christmas Eve is one of those times when everybody goes to church so our church has 5 different services in one night. The service I do music for is called the Service of Carols and Lessons. It consists of Carols along with some Bible readings and a short sermon (Lessons). There is no choir or formal liturgy. The music is classical but not organ/piano. Instead the service has violin, flute, and other “chamber” instruments.

This year I’ll be playing violin (yea, I know I play fiddle most of the time but that is for another post) at both the 5:30 and 8:00 PM services. I’ve also go a couple of flute players, another guitar, and I’m still hoping to add a mandolin and guitar to the mix.

It is always a little crazy working in rehearsal times into an already busy time of the year, but I love the reflective atmosphere of the service, the “old standard” hymns, and the familiar bible readings to get my spirit in the right place for Christmas.