Well known actors are cast in movies.
Well known personalities are in commercials.
How many times have you heard, “From the creators of…” or “From the people who brought you…”?
Why does Hollywood do that?
Familiarity
Hollywood knows that by utilizing actors you have seen before, you could be more comfortable watching the movie and/or more likely to connect with the story than with someone you’ve never seen before.*
I have spent the last few months working on the Retro Hymns 2 project and I am thrilled to say that it is now available!
I do truly believe that the Retro Hymns 2 collection of 11 hymns arranged in an instrumental horn band worship style is for you. Over the next few blog posts, I will be sharing some different reasons why I believe that to be true.
Reason # 1 that RH2 – THIS IS FOR YOU
These hymns are familiar to a significant portion of your congregation.*
Just a Closer Walk With Thee, He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands, Nothing But the Blood of Jesus, The Old Rugged Cross are just a handful of the 11 tunes in this collection.
As you are looking at playing music before the service or during an offering time or even better, as an outreach to the city…you have a much better chance connecting with folks at whatever stage of life they are at with these hymns than you would with the top 10 songs on the CCLI list. I am absolutely a fan of modern worship songs. No question there. But I just think if you look to go out in to the city and reach the world for Christ, a collection of hymns arranged in a new/retro sound might allow you to have a conversation with someone when a modern worship song may not connect as quickly. Why? Because there is some familiarity to the songs.
At all the churches I’ve been at, I’ve noticed that older folks have really enjoyed the ‘funky’ new versions of hymns that I’ve done. Granted, I’ve been blessed to be at some churches with some amazing Godly elders. And these mentors, friends and leaders love the familiarity of the hymns but understand in trying to reach a younger generation, you may have to change the style of the music. By using these hymns with a new/retro sound, you may be helping folks keep familiarity while stretching them a little to reach different demographics.
I really have tried to create a collection of arrangements and a record that immediately create a familiarity while also trying to create some musical moments where folks say, “I know that song. That was different.”
If you want more information about the arrangements http://www.anderkampmusic.com/catalog/music-for-horn-section-praise-band-and-big-band/retro-hymns-2/
Retro Hymns 2 is now available on iTunes! Click here to go to iTunes to preview AND purchase (and then post a review) of the record
In the next few posts, I’ll take a look at some other reasons why I do believe that Retro Hymns 2, it’s for you! But for now, know that these hymns are familiar!
*A pastor friend of mine has said that every illustration can break down at some point. So yes I realize sometimes Hollywood picks ‘unrecognizable faces’ and some folks in the congregation may not know some of these hymns, but ‘as a whole’ I think the illustrations hold true
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