George,

Amazing to hear mention of the Church of the Redeemer. One of my college buddies was from the community. I have their "Alleluia" record somewhere.

I've done next to no choral stuff, being a violinist (who now hasn't played for awhile.) One thing I found playing "contemporary" church music was how easy it was on a violin to change keys - since there are no frets, all you have to do is slide your left hand up a little and keep playing the same thing!

I also found out that I do not read music very well. Converting from written information to hand movements just didn't work. I do better thinking in terms of intervals and patterns and translating that to hand movements.

I got an old piano and got the chords to some of the songs, and with a little coaching, learned to play chords, with a little "fluff" throuwn in, to accompany singing. Gave myself a few happy hours that way, and improved my dexterity. Again, this was a very different style than the piano lessons I had as a kid.


>If it was later than that, perhaps the stuff out of Church of the Redeemer in Houston. Betty Pulkingham, George Mims, et al.