To Be or Not To Be
BC or Not BC (Braeded Chord, That Is)
That is the question. After stepping down from our sixteen years of regular worship leading together, many people thought that would be the end of The Braeded Chord. Good news – we are still performing, guest worship leading, writing music, and teaching lessons and camps together. Even better news – we are still best of friends! We both have taken some time to enjoy God’s presence in other churches and clear our lives of clutter (physical, emotional and mental). I have spent many hours painting my dad’s house (who recently passed away)- breathing prayers in that quiet space, listening for that still small voice for a hint of the future of The Braeded Chord. Big hint, we’re going to Lebanon in July to lead worship at a teacher’s conference and staff retreat for Heart for Lebanon, an organization offering relief to refugees. We hope you will come along side us with your prayers and support and share in the journey!
In other news, we’ll be at the ALCM (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians) Region I conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana this July, representing Braeded Chord Productions and offering original published music for church and choral use. This year some of our music will be used at the conference reading session. We are busy updating this website (“Under Construction” “Coming Soon”), finalizing arrangements and adding to the library of BCP music in preparation for this conference.
FAQs
“Are you still recording?” is a FAQ we get these days. While we have songs we’ve written and plans to return, we haven’t scheduled a studio date yet. So until then, here’s a never released song we did some years ago about a homeless girl named Mandy (true story). Recently I (Doris) noticed a homeless man living with his dog by the Fairfax County Parkway exit of Braddock Road, and I was reminded of this song. Enjoy this free song, and on this Mother’s Day, remember that everyone is somebody’s beloved child.
“Mandy”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
New for Advent and Christmas
We are pleased to present some new music releases for the 2014 Advent Christmas season!
Come Let Us Turn to the Lord – arranged for SAB with piano and guitar accompaniment. Visit the BCP Store to listen to TBC’s original recording of the song and preview the score.
Silent Night – instrumental arrangement for piano, guitar and/or bells or C instrument. A medley of Silent Night and Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne. Includes guitar tab. Visit the BCP Store to listen to TBC’s original recording and preview the score.
Other Advent and Christmas Music from BCP:
Christmas Folio
Three original carols for Advent/Christmas. O Tiny Child is a tender lullaby, written in a slow tempo. Long Awaited King expresses the longings of the waiting heart and is suitable for Advent. God Has Come to Us is an upbeat, joyous celebration of Christ’s birth. Arranged for solo or ensemble/piano/guitar). Look and Listen at the BCP Store.
Joyous Light
A new setting for evening prayer by Sharon Dennis and Doris Au MacDonald (authors of “Alleluia: a new communion setting”) was written for the Association of Lutheran Musicians 2012 Region IV Gathering in Thousand Oaks California. Scored for piano, guitar, optional flute and violin, this setting uses strong melodies and modern song structure for easy sing ability. “Our second weds night using Joyous Light for our Advent Evening Prayer….love it!” Grace of God Lutheran Church in St Paul, Minnesota. Look and Listen at the BCP Store.
Long Awaited King CD
From jazz to jig to joyful rock, “Long Awaited King” has it all and is sure to become your favorite Christmas CD! Includes originals as well as innovative arrangements of traditional carols. Perfect for gift-giving or personal listening. Listen at the BCP Store.
New CD Release
“Evening Grace” is the sixth CD release from The Braeded Chord and features selections from “Joyous Light of Glory,” their setting of the Evening Prayer service. Recorded with their signature singable melodies and interwoven harmonies, this CD also includes several new Psalm settings as well as their award-winning song, “Courage.” Visit the Store
Cover of The Braeded Chord’s newest CD, “Evening Grace.”
page to purchase.
Ready for Spring!
2012 WAMMY
Ready For Spring
For those of us in the greater D.C. area, this has been a winter without much snow… but not without cold. As I write, I am waiting to go out in the cold with Sharon,as it is the night of the annual WAMMY awards, given by the Washington Area Musicians Association. We are ready for this long winter cold to be gone, and are looking forward to spring!
In April, we will be joining a team going to Haiti to put on a music enrichment program for an elementary school, and perhaps lay the foundation for an ongoing music program. We met with the other members of the team and will meet with the school’s founder in a couple of weeks. Right now, Sharon and I are brainstorming ideas for the trip, so the sky’s the limit! If you would like to receive further information about this project, and become a part of our home team, reply here.
This week, we’re back to BIAS Studio to record some of our Joyous Light of Glory service, in preparation for going as exhibitors of our music to the ALCM (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians) Biennial Conference in Valparaiso, Indiana, to be held in June. We look forward to being at BIAS and congratulating them on their WAMMY win of Best Studio as well as our sound engineer, Jim Robeson, who won Best Producer. We also plan to record some new Braeded Chord singles like “Courage” so be looking for those!
In March, we have performances lined up in Front Royal, Gainesville, and Culpeper and would love to see some of your lovely faces!
________________________________________________________
Oh, yes, back to the WAMMYs… “Long Awaited King” won for Best Gospel/Inspirational Recording of 2012. Whoo hoo! We are so honored, and congratulate all the other nominees, winners and wonderful musicians of the greater Washington DC area! — Doris, for TBC
(Photo: Top- Aarography Photography, Bottom- Sharon Dennis )
Go to www.TheBraededChord.com for more Inside Info
March
Saturday, Mar 2, 5:30pm
BBQ @ Rockland Community Church, 2921 Rockland Rd, Front Royal VA 22630
Free admission and food!
Thursday, Mar 14, 7:30pm
March Missions Awareness Forum @
Mountain View Community Church
16088 Rogers Road, Culpeper VA
Music and Speakers
Friday, Mar 15, 2:30pm
St. Paddy’s Day Hoopla @ Gainesville Health and Rehab Center, 7501 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville VA
Chair dancing and fun!
Coming Up…
March 24-31, Holy Week Services @ Church of the Word, Gainesville VA
www.churchoftheword.net/logos
April 28-May 4, Music Team to Haiti
May 18, 5:30pm Coffeehouse Worship @ Burke Presbyterian Church (changed from April 6)
June 24-28, Teen Worship Boot Camp @ Church of the Word, Gainesville VA (moved from August)
June 30-July 3, ALCM Biennial Conference in Valparaiso, Indiana
