BabuLife

Audition Time

It's that time again.  We've got some auditions scheduled in September and I'm putting the word out here on the blog.  I'm hoping we might be able to recruit another percussionist to give our Super Cool Person, Jon, a break.  When he joined the team back in November there was a huge sigh of relief because after almost 6 years we were able to finally give our drummer at the time, Kevin, a break.  Then about 4 months later, Kevin left the church.  His 45 minute trek out to Overland Park twice a week just became too much.

If you're interested in being a part of the band, let us know by registering online here.  Band auditions are September 29.

We've also scheduled the next vocal team audition for September 22.  If interested, please register online here. 

All members of the band and vocal team must be members of Grace Church.  If you'd like to register for the next Prospective Members class, check it out here and register online.

-Babu

Ben

Vocal Workshop a Success

Last Saturday the vocalists on the worship team huddled up together for a 3 hour workshop.  We started off scarfing down some bagels and fruit chased by coffee and diet Pepsi (for me of course).

Earlier this year I purchased a DVD created by Paul Baloche called "Vocal Workshop".  I highly recommend this DVD for anyone looking for a place to start with their vocalists on the worship team.  They covered things from warm up tips, vocal styles, breathing, harmonizing and even concluded with tips on dealing with the audio team (helping vocalists avoid the diva attitude).

Check out the "Vocal Workshop" DVD here.

Yo..Where you at?

Lately things have picked up.  While for many folks the summer means a time of rest...not so for me lately.  Here's whaddup with me:

• My two youngest are turning 4 and 2.  Can you believe it?!?  It feels like yesterday I posted this.
• Financial Peace University - Running each Wednesday through September 12.  Keeping me busy.  Great class with wonderful turnout.
• Foundations - Our discipleship class had an unexpectedly good turnout.  I guess if I keep the expectation bar low more people will show up.  There are about 10 folks attending Doug's class on Wednesdays alongside the FPU class.  Foundations will last thru August 29. This is an awesome class. I'm surprised by the summer turnout with no childcare being offered.  Discipleship is happening in big ways at Grace.
• Vocal Workshop - This Saturday all of the worship team vocalists will be coming up to church for three hours to enhance their skills.  I'm looking forward to this.  Hoping they are.
• Summer Breakout (The Grace version of VBS) - We just completed SBO Jr for 4 yrs - K.  Now we're gearing up for the 1st thru 6th graders.  This will be in July.  We'll be learning some new songs.  Are there any other worship teams out there that play for their Vacation Bible School's?  Just curious.

That about sums up this week.  Later!
-Babu

Fellowship Offers Worship Audition Package

Hey worship leaders! Check out the new downloadable package offered by Creative Pastors. I've wanted something like this for years...finally someone has made their stuff available!  Check it out here.

I HATE THIS CAPO

Don't get it.  Tried it this morning and it kept throwing my strings out of tune.  The Glider Capo in my opinion is trash.  See my earlier notes here.

Gear Envy & The Rolling Capo

Hi. My name is Ben.  I'm an accoustic guitar player.  And I have gear envy. What is "gear envy"?  It is the coveting of another's trinkits that assist their guitar playing abilities.  You see there isn't much needed for an accoustic guitar player.  You've got the guitar, a capo or two, a pick, a set of strings and maybe a strap.  That's it.  You can view my gear list on the lower left hand sidebar.  My list is so pathetic I even added a place where you can get gear.  As you can see from this picture, I've got a couple of capos and a pick.  It's nothing like the list found on Victor Estrada's site.

Well Tuesday I had a new piece of gear arrive.  A brand new capo.  Yes, I get excited over capos.  Everytime I walk into our local guitar store I check out the capo wall to see if there's anything interesting.  Every sales person has tried to sell me on purchasing the Rolling Capo to which I have always said "nah...$25 for a capo is just too much".  I looked it up on Musicians Friend and found it for a few dollars less.  Tuesday it came.

Rolling Capo Review - During our First Wednesday Worship (Ignite) I gave the new capo a try.  I still don't know how I feel about it.  I think I'm going to give it another shot.  The unique thing about this capo is that you never have to take it off the fretboard.  Instead of removing it, you "simply" roll it up past the nut when you want to play standard chords.  I say "simply" in quotes because that's what I was told.  I worried all night as I rolled up there that it was going to interfere with the tuning of my strings.  I think you have to put it just right on the edge of the nut in order for your guitar to stay tuned.  So far I give the Rolling Capo a 2 1/2 out of 5. You can purchase this capo here.

Has anybody used one of these?  If so, what'd you think?

Grace Clip

I can never say enough about the team of people I get to work with every week.  God has truly blessed Grace with people having great skills...but even moreso...hearts that want to provide excellence in all they do because it's their act of worship.

Doug at HoWeCogitate posted a snippet video clip of our lead guitarist at our first Ignite (First Wednesday Worship) at Grace.  Doug does so much leading the video ministry and makes sure everything works as seamlessly as possible.  From making sure all the lyrics are on the screens at the right time (big thank you for not leaving me hanging Doug!), to creating all the cool backgrounds...not just putting movement there...but color-coordinating.  Attention to detail is a huge factor in taking things to the next level.

Here's the clip:

Worship Leaders Get This

For all you worship leaders out there, check out the WorshipPlanning.com tool.  You can try it free for a month, but beware, you can easily get hooked on it...especially the scheduling tool.  No more emails trying to coordinate/confirm with people on your team. The administrative end of worship leading has been quite cumbersome.  In fact it's been pretty much nonexistent.  But now...I have a virtual admin assistant!

Go check it out at www.WorshipPlanning.com.

Business Blogs & Real Media

I've lately been intrigued by the use of blogs within the business realm.  While being a church staffer has it's issues within blogging (check out my little disclaimer under my picture in the right sidebar), I imagine it would be extremely difficult for business folks.  What to say, how to say it, can I really talk about what my personal views are etc. I deal with it somewhat and honestly have to watch to some degree what is said on this site and filter it.  That tends to go against everything blogging supposedly is about but...reality is, you just can't type EVERYTHING you're thinking unless you want to spend a large part of your time defending yourself.

Recently Soakie (a commentor to this site and good friend) started a blog for his media company. Seems like a great way to let folks know about your business.  Especially if you're in the media industry.  Real Media has done video projects for Grace along with coordinating print for our capital campaign.  If you're in the market for some video stuff for your church...Real Media is a good resource.  They do a lot of JumboTron type work for various sports franchises.  Check out their blog here.

Question: What limitations have you established on your blogs?  Are there lines that you won't cross on your blog?  Politics, religion, social issues etc?

Make it Happen Video

This past Sunday we did a skit portraying a motivational seminar speaker.  It was quite funny.  Brad is a cut up as the speaker named Jerry Wilson and my wife sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in my ear.  Oh yeah...I was in the skit too.  Unfortunately no video of the skit...however, our video pro, Doug has posted his great intro video to the skit.  It's got the PERFECT cheezy motivational speaking music.  Great job Video Doog!  I sent him a photoshopped image and he decided the Saturday night before at around 12am he would go the extra mile and make a video.  These are the types of people that "Make it Happen" every Sunday.  I love my team!!!

Check it out here.