NANAKRHYTHMS

STREET RHYTHMS 29-09-2016 *SINGING FROM THE PROGRAMME 'SHEET' -  A REALITY* Within the week, I was at a special service in one of the churches in Tema. The rendition of the closing hymn brought 'confusion', as to who was singing the right thing: # The liturgist, who sacrificed his copy of the outline, was moderating the service, reading from his handwritten original copy. # The pastor, who was the liturgist and who also gave out the hymns for the service, sung from his hymn book. # The person who printed the programme outline, printed 3 stanzas out of the 5-stanza-hymn, with slight difference in the text. He numbered them stanza 1, 2, & 3. # The liturgists insisted all stanzas of the hymn be sung. # In the middle of singing the first stanza, the projector-screen went blank, until the fourth stanza. # Some of the choristers were singing from the programme outline while others were singing from the hymn book. # Most of the congregation were singing from the

STREET RHYTHMS 23-09-2016 *SINGING FROM THE PROGRAMME 'SHEET'* At most occasions - such as weddings, funerals, anniversary celebrations, inauguration services, dedication services, etc - the congregation is given a printed programme outline, in the form of a leaflet or booklet. Most often, these outlines include the hymns for the occasion and choristers sing from them as well; sometimes, from procession to recession. While some choristers sing from the outline, others also sing from their hymn books, projector screens and from their tablets and phones. Yes, choristers need copies of the programme outline to follow, but it is more appropriate for choristers to sing from their hymn books than the programme outline, the screens and the other electronic gadgets. In situations where you don't know how to sing a hymn, you quickly go through it while the organ introduces the song; especially, when your hymn book contains the tunes as well. Kingsley J.E.K Acheampong #NANAK

STREET RHYTHMS 21-09-2016 *'HYMNS AND THEIR MEANINGS'* Many churches, choirs, & media houses organize the above programme; but most of them are not able to achieve the primary aim. They mostly focus on: - who wrote the hymn. - the location of the composer. - what influence the composer. - where it was first sung. Etc, etc. Organizers of such programmes should do their best and also include following: - the meaning of the hymns. - the message the hymns are conveying. - the lessons in the hymns. - the power of the hymns. - occasions or situations where the hymns can be useful. If organizers aren't able to achieve the primary aim of these programmes, they end up organizing either *_HYMNS & THEIR ORIGINS OR A NIGHT OF FAVORITE HYMNS_*. Kingsley J.E.K Acheampong #NANAKRHYTHMS www.facebook.com/nanakrhythmslive www.nanakrhythms.blogspot.com

STREET RHYTHMS 17-09-2016 *THE CANTOR:* A cantor is a person who sings solo verses or passages to which the choir or congregation responds. That is the name of the person who we mostly call the 'lead vocalist' ; the one who does the _'ngyegyeho'_ (when the choir is singing danceables). Most of our male choristers try to perform this role; almost everyone may want to do it; and as a result, they stop singing their vocal part - the result may be a 'noise within the music'. The  _ngyegyeho_ must be done by one person, who have knowledge of the songs and has a little technical know-how to coordinate all the songs. If you have more than one person doing the  _ngyengyeho_, the music will sound like adding plenty salt to your favorite food. Kingsley J.E.K Acheampong #NANAKRHYTHMS www.nanakrhythms.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/ nanakrhythmslive

STREET RHYTHMS 14-09-2016 *IN THE 'MARCHING - LINE' :* Whenever we are in the 'marching-line' (during procession and recession), choristers must note that we are performing and so related performance manners apply. 1. We move uniformly. If you can't correct your steps when you are moving differently from your colleagues, work on it or don't join the line. 2. Don't drag your feet, you will make noise. 3. Be in a comfortable and a prescribed foot wear. 4. You don't exchange pleasantries, especially with your hands. If you always respond to pleasantries, you will always receive them. This isn't a good practice. 5. Avoid talking in the line. 6. You don't hold your hymn book with one hand and put the other at your back. 7. You don't use an 'electronic hymn book' (phones and tablets) while the choir is using a 'paper hymn book'. 8. Don't march and sing/read from the projector while the song is in the hymn book. 9. D