Editor’s Note:  Tom Fettke and Jay Rouse need no introduction to most choral directors around the world.  For over 50 years, the development of relevant, practical and dynamic choral music has been Tom’s passion and his profession.  Jay is one of the premier choral arrangers in Christian music, and has over three hundred and fifty compositions and arrangements published.  Recently, Tom and Jay sat down with Mark Cabaniss of Jubilate Music Group to have a chat about their careers, their first-ever musical collaboration, and more.

MC:  Welcome, Tom and Jay, to this roundtable discussion!  Gentlemen, to put us and our readers in a Christmas frame of mind, what is your favorite Christmas carol?

TF:  That’s a hard question- I have many Christmas carol favorites. A number of the tunes and lyrics are in CITY OF HOPE. If I had to pick one that I have marveled at most down through the years, it would have to be O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM. Mostly because of the profoundly moving lyric. Old Phillips Brooks got every jot and tittle right: heartfelt, picturesque, intense and penetrating.

JR:  I have lots of favorites… but one that comes immediately to mind is IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER. It’s one of my most favorite melodies and it lends itself to gorgeous chord substitutions. I also really like the lyric to the last verse: What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give Him, I will give my heart. Just gorgeous imagery. 

MC:  What is your favorite Christmas movie or TV special?

JR:  Ha! ELF is a long-time Rouse House favorite. We started watching it when the kids were young and we can still basically recite many of our favorite scenes verbatim at any time. If you have not seen it, it’s a Christmas movie must. 

TF:  A CHRISTMAS STORY- Jan and I watch it 2 or 3 times every year. In regards to a TV special, we always look forward to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra Annual Christmas Concert: Wow!

MC:  Tom, how long have you and Jay known each other and when and how did you first meet?

TF:  I’m thinking our first encounter has to be on the Church Music workshop circuit- maybe as much as 30 years ago. I always marveled at the reading sessions the he and Randy Vader conducted; they were very inspirational. Jay and I enjoyed a close association when I was a consultant for PraiseGathering and Integrity Music.

MC:  Jay, same question.

JR:  I feel like I’ve known of Tom since I can remember. As is true for most of us, MAJESTY AND GLORY is one of my favorite choral pieces and I have many memories of playing that song for choirs and being in places where that song is sung. It’s a classic. 

MC:  Jay, what is your favorite Tom Fettke story?

JR:  The first time I worked directly with Tom was on GOD WITH US, a musical we did for another publisher. The creative team behind that work was Tom Fettke, Camp Kirkland, Don Moen, Randy Vader and myself (I’m not sure how I got in that room), but it was a master class in how to put together an evening of worship. Blending styles from so many different genres, incorporating scripture and narration, utilizing solos, trios, writing for a full orchestra… on every front I was able to learn from these amazingly talented musicians and Tom was our quarterback. He led the team and helped fashion an incredible work for the church. Such a wonderful memory.

From that day until now, Tom has been an incredible encourager to me. I never know when my phone’s gonna ring and he’s going to be on the other end with a few jokes to start (it always starts that way and he’s one of the funniest guys I know), followed by words of encouragement about something I’ve recently done or an arrangement he’s heard of mine that touched him. It humbles me every time. I’m really grateful for his friendship.

MC:  I’ve known each of you for over 25 years and like many, have such great appreciation of and respect for your work.  But this is the first time you’ve ever created a full work together, so it was exciting to see the chemistry of the two of you working together to create CITY OF HOPE.  It was like a graceful dance, with each of you contributing to the work and the result is seamlessly integrated, beautiful and exciting.  Tom, what was it like working with Jay in this capacity for the first time?

TF:  Jay is the “real deal!” I’ve had the opportunity to experience Jay’s personal attributes up close for a couple of decades. He is a very special human being: humble, sensitive, gracious and kind, extremely positive, discerning, and has “the gift of helps.” His passion for creating music that reflects his relationship with his Creator results in arrangements that are both “heartful” and exciting. God has given my friend Jay all the “tools” necessary to create crafted musical scores that choirs and congregations will find uplifting, meaningful, memorable… and accessible. All of Jay’s attributes are on display in CITY OF HOPE. This musical also demonstrates his ability to write in “traditional style.”

MC:  Jay, same question!

JR:  It’s true, while we’ve worked together through the years on many things, we’ve never done a full project together just the two of us, so this was a treat. Tom was everything I expected him to be. He is a detail person and there is no stone left unturned - I love that and it helps me so much. In many ways, he again was the quarterback. I did my best to catch as many passes as I could and deliver my best and most creative work. This played to both of our strengths and it came together to be a really special project. Can I also say, this is a bucket list opportunity for me, to get to work with Tom.  I’m so grateful and I’ve loved every minute.

MC:  Tom, you’ve created music and musicals for the church – much of it now legendary – for the church for over 40 years.  Musicals aren’t as widely used as they once were.  Why do you think this is, and what encouragement can you give to directors to perform them nowadays?

TF:  Tough and complicated question. Let me just list some possible answers:

1. The use of choirs, as a tool for worship, is declining.
2. Budgets no longer allow for the purchase of a seasonal, one-time use product. The use of the choir library is becoming more prevalent.
3. The internet is supplying many choral music needs.
4. For a number of reasons the availability of qualified (or interested) persons to lead-and people to participate in a choir program is declining.
5. Our colleges, universities and seminaries are continuing to neglect offering courses that train and motivate music students to lead and participate in church music programs.
6. The advent of the “praise team” in place of a volunteer choir is prevalent.
7. The music industry is overproducing the number of choir cantatas and musicals given the decline of the number of choirs.
8. The constituencies that are in favor of using cantatas or musicals are hard-pressed to find one that “grabs” them. We believe CITY OF HOPE has the characteristics to do that. Jay and I would love for the readers of this interview to check it out. It conveys the message of HOPE so relevant and needed in these crazy times we are living in.

MC:  Jay, what is the overall message of CITY OF HOPE and what makes this new musical unique among the many others out there?

JR:  Considering all that we’ve been through as a world since Tom and I first began working on this project, I know God’s had His hand on the entire process. Hope. As we begin to make our way out of this time of separation and distancing, there is no real way that’s possible without the foundation of hope that can only be found in the person of Christ. Ephesians 1:18 comes to mind: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” 

God knew we would need to be singing about hope this Christmas and that’s the core message of this musical. 

MC:  Tom, what are you most pleased about this new musical?

TF:  A number of my all-time favorite carol melodies and lyrics are included, clothed in new, colorful and/or elegant musical robes. Rose Aspinall created a narrative that is beautifully married to and supports the musical central theme; they are picturesque and heartfelt. Mike Lawrence’s orchestrations are incredible, colorful, and yet perfectly tailored to the volunteer church orchestra. I love CITY OF HOPE because it feels like Christmas, a celebration of our Savior’s birth that includes both Christmas “fireworks” and moments of reflection and worship.

MC:  Jay, likewise? 

JR:  Sure - I always find myself amazed at what God creates through our surrendered gifts. Tom and I had a lot of ideas as to what this work was going to be. Some of those became a reality and in the end, look and sound much the way we dreamed them to be. But as well, and thankfully, there are a handful of things that happened that we could never have predicted or “thought up,” even on our best day. Those are the moments where God graciously allows His anointing to change the direction of a work and turn it something that is far beyond any of our individual or collective abilities. This always brings me to my knees and reminds me of God’s goodness.  

MC:  Tom, on the personal side of things, you and Jan recently moved from Nashville to Georgia.  How is your new life in a new area, and what are you enjoying most about it?

TF:  We moved to a suburb of Savannah to be close to family: David, my eldest son, lives on Tybee Island, a beach community west of Savannah. Grandchildren and great grandchildren live close and our kids have a dog (Goldendoodle) that is more fun than we can handle. 

MC:  Jay, your wife Amy and family are long-time residents of Anderson, Indiana.  And Amy is one of my all-time favorite studio singers and soloists.  Did you grow up in Indiana?

JR:  We do love Indiana and we’ve been here many years. We are proud Hoosiers. That said, my heart will always be in Florida. I was born in Miami and lived most of my life, until college, in central Florida. My high school sat in the middle of an orange grove and the beach was our weekend getaway for most of my childhood. Siesta Key is favorite place in the whole world and I still have palm trees as my computer screensaver. It’s deep in my heart. I hope to live there again someday. We’ll see.  O, and by the way, Amy sends her greetings and always loves singing on your recording sessions. She is my favorite studio singer, hands down! 

MC:  Thanks to Amy and my greetings to her too!  Gentlemen...is there anything else would you like to add to today’s discussion?

JR:  Just a big thank you to you, Mark, and all of the amazing staff at Jubilate Music Group. You guys make it easy and I could not be more thankful to partner with you this year. 

TF:  Jay and I are grateful to you, Mark, and Jubilate Music Group for granting us the resources and support to have such an enjoyable and fulfilling creative experience. Soli Deo Gloria!

MC:  Thank you both, for those words of appreciation and support.  I have been at this for 30 years and am grateful every day for what I do. I am honored to work with truly world-class talents such as the two of you, and having you as great friends all these years is the best and most beautiful part.  I really appreciate your time today for this sit-down to discuss CITY OF HOPE and more.  Our prayer at Jubilate Music Group is that this cantata will provide a focal point on the theme of the new and abiding hope that Christ’s incarnation brings to us then, now, and always.  Thank you for sharing your substantial gifts with the world, and with us at Jubilate Music Group.  Keep up your wonderful work, and we’ll keep eagerly anticipating your next God-honoring creative gifts.

Browse Tom Fettke's publications here.

Browse Jay Rouse's publications here.

Editor’s Note:  Ken Medema is a legend in the Christian music business.  For four decades, Ken has inspired people through storytelling and music. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind.  His ability to capture spirit in word and song is unparalleled.  One of the most creative and authentic artists performing today, Ken custom designs every musical moment of his performance with brilliant improvisation that defies description. With an ever-growing circle of friends around the world, Ken's vocal and piano artistry and imagination have reached audiences of 50 to 50,000 people in 49 United States and in more than 15 countries on four continents.  Ken performs in a wide variety of venues, from local congregations to charity fund-raisers, to high school and university campuses, to denominational youth gatherings, to universally televised religious programs, to corporate conventions, to annual assemblies of national organizations. He is co-founder of Interlude Retreat Corporation, which gifts retreat experiences for music directors, runs conferences and workshops and visits small but mighty churches to explore the musical possibilities for that congregation.  He has recorded over 40 albums and his latest musical (co-written with Mark Cabaniss and arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram) is for children titled NOAH’S ROCKIN’ ARK ADVENTURE.  Ken sat down recently with Jubilate Music Group to talk about the past, present, future, and more.

JMG:  When and what was your first published composition?

KM:    I believe it was Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying, probably 1972 with Crescendo Music.

JMG:  What do you find is the most enjoyable part of writing songs?

KM:    The best part of writing a song is discovering that the idea I had is not nearly as good as the idea I just now had after working it through time and time again.

JMG:  After four decades in the music business, you’ve clearly seen a lot of changes in how people worship musically.  What encouragement can you give today’s church choir director?

KM:    Everything is changing.  The Christian Music culture we knew is becoming obsolete.  Out task is to examine the new, find what is beautiful and true and bring it to our people.  Worshippers still want to sing.  Often, they are not given the chance. People still want to be in choir, believe it or not, and if the church refuses to let them do so, community choirs will. Think of yourself as an enabler for people who long to sing.

JMG:  You have co-written a new children’s musical titled NOAH’S ROCKIN’ ARK ADVENTURE.  From your early days as a writer and your now classic “Storytellin’ Man” musical for children to this newest one, what do you enjoy most about writing for children?

KM:    I am a kid at heart. I love to jump up and down and make noise and sing at the top of my lungs so if I can help kids to do that, it is satisfying the kid in me. I also love to find ways of taking our beloved theology and making it accessible to a child’s mind.

JMG:  What mountains do you have that you are excited and yet to climb?

KM:    I want to write a big choral work like a cantata or oratorio or musical.  I want to find a way to more truthfully live out my passion for social justice, for diversity in worship, and for caring for the mental health of musicians, pastors and students. I want to learn how to be more responsible to the environment, and if possible, to immerse myself in the life of my city and to sing good news into its conflicts and issues. I want to continue to explore the power of music, to bring many cultures, tribes, neighborhoods and enemies together.  I believe I may have a knack for this and so I long to travel as much of the world as is possible.

JMG:  “Getting to Know…Ken Medema” - Our “Lightning Round” of quick questions and answers:

-What is on your current reading list?

KM:    Four books by Elizabeth Bare, a science fiction writer, Radical Judaism by Arthur Green, the monthly issues of The Christian Century, The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

-What types of music do you listen to most?

KM:    Everything!  Classic rock, electronic dance, Broadway, Brahms symphonies, pipe organ anything, modern choral work.

-What is your favorite vacation spot?

KM:    London.

-What is your favorite Christmas carol?

KM:    O Holy Night, verse two especially.

JMG:  Thank you, Ken, for your time today.  It’s an honor and joy to have your music in our catalogs.  Your music and perspective are uncommonly creative, and the world is truly blessed and a better place because of your gifts to us in worship of our Creator.  We’re excited about what God will do through you in the time to come!



Browse Ken Medema's publications here.

By Mark Cabaniss

I will never forget to this day that special night my father drove me to our church in my hometown of Shelby, North Carolina to my first rehearsal, ever.  It was for children’s choir and Mrs. Melba McWhirter was the director.  I can remember what my father and I spoke about, what was playing on the radio, and where the room in the church was.  And a lot more.  As with all musicians, I’ve seemingly been in thousands of rehearsals since then, but that first one will always stay with me.  I couldn’t have been more than six or seven years old at the time, so that I can remember those feelings of excitement and anticipation decades later (as if it were yesterday in some ways) shows how powerful that experience was for me. But I know I’m not alone in recounting such a story.  I’m sure you, too, can easily remember such a musical occasion from your childhood that resonates so strongly.  And perhaps it was also in a children’s choir.

Children’s choirs create lifelong magical musical memories.  But it’s not just memories that you’re creating when you have a children’s choir, it’s a whole lot more.  These days, when I’m doing reading sessions and other presentations before church musicians coast-to-coast, when I ask the question “Who has a children’s choir?” not nearly as many hands go up as did 25 years ago.  There are a variety of reasons for that as we know, but I think it’s a terrible shame that many churches have relinquished the battle for children’s time and energy in favor of other competing activities.  I say it’s time to reclaim those precious moments for children’s choir!  The long-term (and short-term) gains are more than worth it.  So here are my Top 10 Reasons for having a children’s choir in this day and age:

10. Music Appreciation. Nowadays at an airport gate, I’m amazed as I look at the families sitting there with children.  99.9% of the time, every child…from the youngest to the oldest…has their head buried in their device of choice.  (So do the adults!).  Get those heads out of those devices and into the interactive world of making music.  Music appreciation is always enhanced by music education, and children’s choirs can and should be fertile ground for some basic music education.  I know rehearsal time is relatively brief, so I’m not talking about anything massively involved.  But the basics of note reading, rhythm, and harmony can lay a foundation for a lifetime of music appreciation for those children in the choir who will most likely make their living someday outside of music.

9. Train Them Up. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” While of course we know this Proverb isn’t referring to children’s choirs, I think the principle applies to children’s choirs as well.  “Train up” a child in the children’s choir and there’s a good chance that child will keep singing their whole life long.  Hopefully in the adult choir eventually.  And even if they don’t remain in an organized choir program, having a positive experience at church can stay with them into adulthood, making it more likely they’ll at least continue as a churchgoer.  And we need all of those we can get nowadays (especially the younger types).

8. You Raise Me Up. Singing in a choir at an early age helps develop positive self-esteem, studies have shown.  Performing in front of people when the choir is fully prepared and confident creates a powerfully imprinted positive impression on the child(ren).  And take things a step further:  Performing in a musical* where dialog is employed with songs heightens the experience and confidence level for successfully tackling the challenges of childhood (and success breeds success, helping the child develop into a healthy adult with the confidence to tackle the challenges of adulthood).

7. A Little Child Shall Lead Them. Every time a children’s choir sings in a worship service, it’s a special event.  Uncles, aunts, cousins, and others who might not be regular churchgoers come to church to hear their special one sing.  It’s a wonderful moment that is commonly captured on those “devices of choice” and cherished for years to come.  Do you want more bodies in the pews whose lives can also be positively impacted?  Start a children’s choir and have them sing regularly or at least semi-regularly to “bring in the sheaves.”

6. It’s Not hard. There are countless resources available to help you start and maintain a successful children’s choir.  Sure, once you’ve jumped in the water you’ve got to keep swimming to go somewhere.  But the benefits for all concerned will make your efforts wonderfully worthwhile.  And I suspect there’s a volunteer(s) from your choir or church who will happily and ably assist you in helping make it a roaring success.

5. It’s an Opportunity. While a cast of thousands isn’t required to support a children’s choir, it can create an opportunity to involve some other members of your church (especially senior adults or teenagers who generally love children).  Invite a Sunday School class or other individuals to sponsor and serve refreshments at a break during or after rehearsal.  Then reward them by singing your latest anthem that is “ready for prime time” as a private performance after the refreshment break.  And if you prepare a musical, there are opportunities to involve some others in the production through various additional roles if you so choose.

4. It’s an Outreach. Have your children’s choir sing at some assisted living and/or nursing homes.  It will show the children a world they might not be familiar with (especially if their grandparents aren’t yet in those spots…and if they aren’t, it’s a good introduction to that world).  The residents of the center will be overjoyed to see the young, energetic, smiling and singing faces in their midst (and again, if you prepare a musical, that’s particularly a wonderful thing to take “on the road”). 

3. Music is Therapeutic. As you know, there are entire college degree programs based on the practice and career of music therapy.  Studies have shown music has a positive impact on the child's motor/sensory, and academic/cognitive function.  By having children actively involved in a choir on a weekly – or at least seasonal – basis, the inherent therapeutic benefits of music can shine through.

2. Music is transformative. There are plenty of quality team-building, social interaction, you-name-it activities in which children can engage that don’t involve music.  But as we know, music is a unique, God-given transformative experience like none other.  Sure, the child will probably always remember that goal they made that won the soccer match for the team, but can they sing that twenty years later? (Therefore, reproducing the original transformative experience practically verbatim…note for note).  Forgive me for comparing music with sports (although many do make that comparison for good reason at times).  But the takeaway here is that sports vs. music is truly the old apples vs. oranges equation.  The two activities aren’t mutually exclusive, and one can complement the other.  But I believe music is in a league by itself, since the benefits of music performance and music education are too numerous to document here.

1. In Spirit and Truth. Singing in a worship service…and therefore helping lead the worship service…helps children feel the power of the presence of God in the context of worship.  It will make them better worshippers as they start to grasp the impactful beauty of the worship experience.  Singing in a choir at school or in a community group is its own unique experience.  And likewise should singing in a children’s church choir be so…with the additional spiritual (and yes, eternal) aspect.

My personal children’s choir experience, while life-changing and unforgettable, is not unique I’m happy to report.  I estimate millions of children’s lives have been positively changed by their early choir experience.  If your church doesn’t have a children’s choir, I urge you to start one.  As soon as possible.  Those transformative experiences are waiting in the wings to happen (and will give the participating children wings of their own).  And if you do have a choir…bravo!  Hopefully this blog affirms the many benefits you see from your program.

A coda:  I’m still in touch with my dear director, Melba McWhirter, after that first rehearsal those many, many years ago.  Another incredible gift of that wonderfully auspicious, long-ago evening! (and the power of children’s choir).

Editor’s Note:  In this day and age when some churches have ‘fired the choir’ in favor of praise teams, Jubilate Music Group invited Mark Hill…Minister of Music at First Baptist Church Garland (Texas)…to express his thoughts on building and maintaining a successful choral program in today’s church.  Mark leads a flourishing music program at this large church.  Of particular interest is his success at attracting twenty and thirty-something aged members to his ministry (in addition to older folks).  Our thanks to Mark for sharing his thoughts about the blessings of shepherding a strong, choral-centric music ministry.

God Still Uses Choirs!

I have been blessed to serve at First Baptist Garland, Texas for almost fourteen years. Our church has a great musical heritage that includes choirs and instrumental groups.  We desire to encourage all ages to use their gifts to sing and play praises to the Lord. Our choirs start as early as age 4 and range to 90+!  It can be challenging in our current culture to continue the legacy of using a choir to lead worship weekly when many churches have replaced choirs with praise bands and schedules are more packed than ever before.

God has continued to bless our Preschool and Children’s Choirs as they learn how to worship and praise Jesus through the gift of music. I believe that our Preschool and Children’s choirs provide a foundation both musically and spiritually. How many of us learned our first Bible verses as songs? Our Children’s Choirs present a musical twice a year, memorize hymns and praise songs, and sing in worship services several times a year.

The next step for our students is to worship together through our Middle School and High School choirs. These students rehearse faithfully September through early July, lead worship, present musicals, and serve during a summer choir mission trip.  The senior class takes a lead role planning which songs to use for the musical, creating and teaching the choreography, and leading worship times during the mission trip.  The summer mission trip is a huge draw for our students – they love to sing and serve in communities all over the United States.  Music has granted us the opportunity to witness in places that would not be open to other forms of the gospel.  We have sung the gospel in a Muslim market, a Hindu temple, and many other areas where traditional witnessing methods would not be welcome. We are blessed to have approximately 100 students participating weekly in our youth choirs.

Our Sanctuary Choir is a vital part of our Music Ministry and they lead worship every Sunday in our traditional worship service. (We also have contemporary and blended worship services.) I realized early in my ministry at FBC Garland that not every adult at our church who wants to sing in a choir is going to attend the traditional service. To give those people an opportunity to participate, the choir also sings once a month in our blended worship service, and they are also able to sing with the choir for our Easter and Christmas presentations. I encourage you to utilize your choir weekly and to challenge them musically and spiritually. Our choir loves to sing and lead worship and also enjoy getting “outside the walls” of our church to minister through music at assisted living centers in the area.

One of the hardest questions to answer is, “How do you get young adults to be involved in choir?” There is no easy answer, but here are a few ideas and tips that have worked for us:

• Build personal relationships with young adults and then invite them to choir
• Provide childcare for rehearsals
• Have fun and creative parties and include door prize cards in any new music you put out. Door prizes can be anything from a candy bar to gift cards, you don’t need to spend a lot. We’ve even used bottles of water!
• Visit adult bible study classes and find out who has sung in school choirs or church choirs in the past.
• Use social media to promote your choirs. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are all good options.
• Most importantly: pray that God will send you young adult choir members. Prayer works!

God still moves and works through music and choirs of all ages and sizes. Keep singing and keep encouraging others to sing – God inhabits the praises of His people.

Mark Hill has been the Minister of Music/Worship at First Baptist Church in Garland, TX for 14 years and has been in the full-time ministry for 26 years. Hill graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music in 1991 and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting in 1993. He is also the Assistant Director of the Singing Men of North Central Texas and Assistant Varsity basketball coach for Wylie Preparatory Academy.

Mark has been married to his wife, Darcie Hill, for 24 years and they have 3 children: Callie, 20 (Jr. at Baylor University); Abbie, 15 (Freshman HS); and Isaac, 7 (2^nd grade).  Hill enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis and basketball, watching sports (especially the Dallas Cowboys & UNC Tarheels) and entertaining with comedy and music! His favorite hymn is “My Jesus, I Love Thee” and his life verse is Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”