Cornerstone Bible Church Worship Arts Department

RECOMMENDED LISTENING AND VIEWING

ANIMUSIC Computer Animated Video Albums Watching Animusic is mesmerizing! You're so astonished by their ingenuity that you can't look away. These computer animation video albums come from Wayne Lytle, a progressive-rock keyboardist and 1988 graduate of Cornell University's Program of Computer Graphics. Lytle partnered with graphic artist and 3D modeler Dave Crognale to create elaborate virtual stage sets and imaginary musical instruments that are driven via MIDI interface to virtually "play" the music that Lytle has composed for them. The music drives the instruments, and not the other way around. Using proprietary software called MIDImotion™, Lytle and Crognale have invented self-playing musical instruments that exist in a magical realm of musical and mathematical precision, perfectly synchronized to the kind of fully-synthesized prog-rock that Lytle obviously enjoys (and if you're a fan of Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman, you will, too).  Volume 2 is my personal favorite of the two.

BIG PHAT BAND New Modern Classic Swing for very cool people! If you love big band jazz, you have to buy these albums.  The Grammy nominated Big Phat Band (nominated in the categories of Best Instrumental Composition for "Sing, Sang, Sung" and Best Instrumental Arrangement for "Bach 2 Part Invention In D Minor") is Big Band music that steps into the future. Gordon Goodwin calls upon an all-star lineup of L.A. session players to exercise their musical muscles on a wide variety of styles and genres while remaining true to the legacy of the great big bands. Make no mistake about it, this is big band music by musicians that love big bands!  And they do it without the tuxedos and the martinis and the cigarettes and the gambling and the guys named Jilly and the showgirls! Featuring guest artists Eddie Daniels, Brandon Fields, Grant Geissman, Eric Marienthal, Arturo Sandoval, Carl Verheyen, Take 6, Dianne Reeves, and David Sanborn.

WoW WORSHIP Combined effort from Integrity, Vineyard & Maranatha These collections are my favorites and the most popular praise & worship songs in the world. WoW Worship double-album sets feature 30 of today's most powerful worship songs being sung and performed in churches everywhere. In addition, they feature bonus songs from new emerging artists.  These are the original master recordings of worship songs that have blessed millions, and you'll love them too. While I believe it is a HUGE blessing to have so many great worship songs, we must be sure to always keep our focus on the Blesser and not the blessings.  Louis Giglio, founder of the Texas-based "Passion" conferences held on college campuses, cautions: "My prayer is that the music will be a tool to lead people to a place where they see God more clearly and gloriously than ever before. In my heart, the greatest danger is that this generation might make the tragic mistake of missing the 'prize' because of the worship. Worshipful songs, however powerful they might be, are not the prize. Jesus Christ is the prize, and we can't let anything stand in the way of our embracing all of who He is. To do less is to make an idol out of worship."

i WORSHIP Worship collections from Integrity Music These five worship collections feature various artists from Integrity Music powerful worship songs.  All new versions of some of the biggest CCLI songs, modern and emerging worship songs, and modern versions of renowned hymns, all presented in a seamless flow for a nonstop worship experience. With the wealth of worship songs out there today, it is sometimes nice to benefit from someone else's efforts to narrow it down to the top few songs that have been successful in worshipping churches.  You won't like every song, but it will also save you from having to buy all the songs you do like on separate CDs.  Songs books are also available for these two album. Songs I have used from these three collections include:  Come, Now Is the Time to Worship, God of Wonders, Above All, Breathe, He Knows My Name, You're Worthy of My Praise, Open the Eyes of My Heart, Hallelujah, We All Bow Down, All Hail the Power, Rise Up and Praise Him, Here I Am to Worship, Better Than Life, You Are Good, Rock of Ages, Jesus Lover of My Soul, There is None Like You, Ancient Words, Better Is One Day,  You're Worthy Of My Praise,  Here I Am To Worship,  Hungry (Falling On My Knees).

AMERICA! SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY ONE NATION UNDER GOD THE TORCH IS PASSED Patriotic Musicals by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse, & Camp Kirkland This are easily my four favorite patriotic musicals, written by the most sincere arrangers/publishers I've met.  Here is some of what Randy Vader has to say about it. "America! Just the mention of her name can stir the hearts of those who understand the unique blessings of living in this land of the free and the home of the brave. From the great and ancient cultures who settled this land centuries before the Mayflower set sail, to the pilgrims who prayed for an exdous to a new      world, to the patriots who claimed this nation as their own and brought with them the unique beauty for their heritage.  America, the great experiment in liberty and justice for all, a diverse people, by the people, and for the people. Well into our third century of freedom it is important to pause and reaffirm our pledge to remain, "one nation under God," the one true God, the Sovereign of all nations, who in His wisdom and mercy, showered His blessings on this country and its people. We give thanks for His grace poured so freely on our land, and acknowledge His holiness.  It is in God alone that we place our trust."

JODI BENSON Songs From The Beginner's Bible This is the coolest collection of children songs I've ever heard.  There are a variety of styles, all with great instrumental and vocal tracks.  You'll like it even more than your kids will.  Jodi Benson is the voice of the Little Mermaid, and she was also the lead in the Christian TV show, Guideposts Junction. "The Lord made it pretty clear to me that my ministry would be with children, to children, and to families...I want kids to know that God loves them and he wants to hold them and help them grow up and stay really really close. I just want them to know that they’re loved by somebody. Somebody who really really cares about them."  Jodi Benson

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS A Musical About Family and Hope in the Golden Days of Radio By Deborah Craig-Claar & Mark Hayes This is my favorite Christmas musical.  It is a memorable dramatic musical from Mark Hayes and Deborah Craig-Claar. Set in late 1941, the story of the faith of a family, and a nation on the brink of World War II, as they prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Most of the action takes place in the main characters' home, with the choir providing music and drama as it is broadcast over the family radio. Music highlights the sounds of the 40's and it's a LOT of fun! Mark Hayes and Robert Sterling (see below) are my all-time favorite arrangers.  We've done several pieces arranged by Mark.  He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, magna cum laude from Baylor University. His choral and orchestral writing is widely acclaimed and performed internationally. He is most well-known for his unique choral settings which draw from diverse styles such as gospel, jazz, pop, folk, and classical. His personal catalog includes over 500 original compositions and arrangements. Mark has served as an adjunct instructor of composition at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missiouri and has ten solo piano albums and fifteen keyboard folios to his credit.

SONGS IN THE KEY OF LOVE by Robert Sterling Robert Sterling is my other favorite arranger.  This is a collection of classic and new vocal ensemble music that he arranged.  We used several of these for the Cornerstone Octet.  The vocal arrangements vary from pretty easy 4-part to extremely difficult 8-part a cappella.  Great stuff! Robert Sterling is a Dove Award winning arranger, songwriter, and record producer. His songs have been recorded by a variety of Christian artists, notably including Sandi Patti and Point of Grace, and his tunes have worked their way to the top of the Christian radio charts many times. Among Robert's record producing credits is the certified gold album, "The Whole Truth," by Point of Grace, and the Grammy-nominated recording, "Love Will", by the Talleys. His extensive body of choral compositions and arrangements can be found in the catalogs of Word Music, Belwin Mills, Shawnee Press, Genevox Music, and Meadowgreen Music. A four-time winner of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award, he is also completing his second year as a songwriting instructor for the Academy of Gospel Music Arts. A 1977 magna cum laude graduate of Baylor University's School of Music, Robert currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife, Cindy, and their two sons.  (Wow, both my favorite arrangers graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University!  Maybe they had the same arranging professor?  Hmm.)