#lifeofamusicdirector

 Bach was the music director (kapellmeister) of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany for 27 years.  I often tell my students that some of Bach's music has been lost since he wrote new music weekly for the services.  I never really thought about how much work it was to write that much music until I learned of another famous music director...

John Newton (famous for writing "Amazing Grace" and converting from the slave trade) was a pastor at Olney in Buckinghamshire.  Although he preached each week, he also wrote a new hymn for each week's service.

These men reminded me of the music pastor in my home church, Wheaton Bible.  I loved when the praise team would teach us a new praise song, and I was always puzzled as to where the music director would find songs I didn't know.

As a music teacher I am often picking new music for different performances.  Right now, I am working on music for 4 different groups.  Sometimes the process can be long as I try to find the right mix for a theme, along with adding different genres and making sure the songs will work for the group of kids performing them.

As I sat down yesterday to pick new music I found a bunch of praise songs from the last several years that I hadn't heard.  Although, some of them won't work for any of my groups I loved finding new music, but even more I loved praising God as I listened to song after song.

As I woke up this morning I was reminded of Bach, and Newton and my music pastor from back home.  They too had the sometimes difficult job of putting together music on a regular basis.  Their hard work is an encouragement to me.  Pray for me as I continue to pick new music over the next few weeks.  Pray God would direct me to the songs He has in mind for each time of worship with the kids.