I’m returning to Abilene from Malibu today, where I’ve been attending “The Ascending Voice” conference. It’s so interesting to be in touch with devoted Christians from several other a cappella traditions. The singing, as you can imagine, has been amazing.
The best part, of course, is staying with Darryl and Anne Tippens. It’s a reminder that the deepest friendships of life survive even when you don’t have the advantage of proximity.
Mike, please tell us more about this conference. I have not heard of it. Who did it include? What was the purpose etc etc….
Dude, I need info like a girl would give.
“The Ascending Voice” conference looked to be one of the richest and most interesting conferences I’ve seen. I wish that I could have attended! It was designed to be multi-faceted, with Orthodox, Mennonite, Primitive Baptist, and other a cappella groups getting together to share fellowship, meals, worship, sing, and talk about the theological and communal significance of the very oldest style of congregational singing!
I understand they had songwriters workshops, music clinics, many performances, and outstanding presentations. I am sure that Frederica Mathewes-Green was great, for instance. I am glad that you were able to be there, Mike.
Wish I could have gone. The latest “Christian Chronicle” includes Jack Boyd reviewing the booklet by Tippens on congregational song. It’s entertaining. He mentions the conference.
Oh, Mike…I do want details. I would have loved to be there. I read about it but it just wasn’t possible at this time….tell me all about it.
So….give us some details, please.
Didn’t I just see you in Malibu? I should plan monthly trips to Malibu!
We can’t have other groups singing Acappella! What would we have to argue about?
It sure was a wonderful conference. I have to wake up in about 4 hours to catch a flight back home, but this week has been well worth the trip.
I can’t describe the highlights here because it seems nearly every session could qualify as a highlight. I plan to write some thoughts about it to help myself process some things.
Mike, you might want to explain that when you say, “the singing was amazing” it was quite different than a Zoe or Tulsa workshop kind of amazing. Singing Mennonite hymns to start the morning with a group of 30 or so in the chapel, listening to the eastern scales running through the Orthodox chants, and participating in the Taize, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic vesper services all instilled me with renewed appreciation for a cappella music.
The Lord created an instrument. And He heard that it was good.
I entered a hymn in the competition, but it was not one of the 10 or so new songs chosen out of nearly 200 entered. I SO wish I could have been there! Did you pick up any new songs for us to sing at Highland?
Joel is funny!
The workshop sounds interesting. I haven’t heard anything about it.
I, too, wanted to be there.
hi i enjoyed the read