We're taking Praise & Harmony to the "land down under."  We are blessed to have the opportunity this year to serve churches and schools in Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland and Taronga.  This will be my fourth trip to Australia and our very first to New Zealand.  We've shipped Praise & Harmony CDs in advance of this trip to help them prepare for the workshops.


Our goal is to transform the learning of four-part harmony into the easiest process possible.  In addition to advance classes where everyone sits in sections (SATB), we encourage churches to use the "Vocalist Training Discs" so people can learn by ear.  Sharon assists with the soprano part.  It helps us tremendously to have all four singing parts represented in the workshops, so I have asked our son-in-law, Allen and daughter, Kim to accompany us on this trip to assist with the parts.  Our friends in Australia have covered the cost of my flight, but we still need help to cover airfare for the others.  So far, we have been blessed with individuals who have generously contributed to this effort.

We still need help to cover these travel costs. If you would like to join us in this work, please send your donations to:

Acappella Ministries
P.O. Box 708
Andover, Kansas  67002

Attention: Kim  (e-mail contact:  Kim@Acappella.com)

Thank you for helping make this trip possible!  Please pray that this trip will bless the schools and churches in this part of the world.

As I am cataloging my photo collections (at least the digital ones), I could not help but notice the amount of pictures that I have related to the Tulsa Workshop.  Terry Rush and the Memorial Drive Church have blessed countless people by hosting this great gathering every year.  Here are some of the Tulsa Workshop Galleries that are currently online:

    Tulsa Workshop 2001

    Tulsa Workshop 2002

    Acappella 20th Anniversary Concert

    20th Anniversary Back Stage

    Tulsa Workshop 2006

    Workshop Rehearsal 2008

    Memorial Drive Kick-Off 2008

    Tulsa Workshop 2008

Sharon and I attended the very first workshop as students from Freed-Hardeman College.  We have not missed many of these annual events since the very first one in 1976.

The wide assortment of classes offered has always been outstanding.  You've heard me talk about the wonderful "reunion" aspect of connecting with folks from around the world.  But of all that the workshop offers, I'll have to say my favorite memories involve the electrifying congregational singing in the big pavilion. 

This year, we enjoyed being led by some of the greatest praise teams in the world - Free Indeed, Memorial Drive Singers and the Zoe Group.  But as far as my personal taste, there is nothing comparable to the experience when the microphones are "dropped" and all you hear is the congregation.  Every year, I offer the suggestion to include a good portion of this kind of singing.  What an honor to get to lead the 15 minute section devoted solely to that purpose.  Hearing that many voices is a foretaste of heaven!  Hope you can join us next year.