CUEcast

Our guest today is Grant Frederick, Minister of Music at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA. Listen in as Grant provides us personal insights from career as a vocational music minister.

Robert Sterling talks about the benefits of YouthCUE for teenagers from his vantage point as a composer, song writer, arranger, and producer.

Hymn Correspondent Mark Edwards takes a fresh look at how hymns empower our communities of faith and how carefully selected, well-chosen hymn texts and arrangements can provide staple musical resources for directors of student choirs.

Pastor Amy Butler discusses the power of communication as we seek to lead people through the communities of faith we serve. Amy is Pastor of the National City Christian Church in Washington, D. C. 

Not only is Robert Sterling our CUEcast producer and composer of all our podcast theme music, he also has become a regular contributor to our Axiom episodes. Today, Robert talks about venturing beyond our comfort zones to be able to lead our choirs and congregations to experience a broader array of musical expressions. Becoming comfortable with a broader fare of church music is necessary if we hope to gather diverse congregations under one roof to worship and make music together. I think we'll all enjoy listening to Robert's words of encouragement.

Grant Frederick is Minister of Music at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Today, Randy and Grant discuss the importance of clear, consistent communication as a way of moving ministries forward in an ever-changing world.

Today, we welcome back to CUEcast Karen Sorrells, the Director of the Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC. Today, Randy and Karen discuss the experiences, events, and commitments that led up to her vocation in ministry and her career teaching music.

Pam Dunagan is a frequent and always welcome guest in CUEcast episodes. Today, Pam describes the friendship of two elder statesmen in religion who were close friends for several decades, Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama. Although very different in their views of religion, the common spirituality and decency of both men made them lifelong friends and colleagues on the journey of making the world a better place. Listen as Pam describes the joy these two celebrated in one of their last meetings together. From this colorful story, you and I can learn to celebrate the joy and the presence of God in each moment of our lives.

Today, Randy borrows and develops two key quotes from Dale Carnegie, the communications icon in the mid 1900s. Carnegie's prophetic and compassionate approach to building relationships is still highly regarded in today's world obsessed with  speed, efficiency, and raw productivity. Listen in today as Randy challenges himself and all of us to become better listeners and more proactive leaders.

Grant Frederick is Minister of Music at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. Gaining his Masters of Music with a major in choral conducting from Baylor University in 2016, Grant is about to celebrate his fifth anniversary at his church. In today's discussing with Randy, Grant will explain is approach to music ministry with students as well as adults in 2022.

Mark Edwards is back with another episode as our Hymn Correspondent. Today, Mark speaks with us about the nature of worship and the hymns we sing to glorify God. He specifically analyzes the hymn IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE.

We welcome Timothy Peoples back to CUEcast today. Timothy is the senior pastor at Emorywood Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina and a graduate of Yale University's Divinity School. Today, Randy and Timothy discuss the critical importance of communication in our 2022 world. 

For the past twenty-five years, Clark Sorrells has served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. During his time at the church, Clark and his wife, Karen, began the Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church. Beginning this past January, Clark is giving his fulltime efforts to the Academy of Arts and all the potential percolating in and around this unique ministry to children and youth. Let's listen in as Randy and Clark discuss this venture and how it is positively impacting the students who participate.

Mary Hoffman, Director of Music at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, is a regular guest on CUEcast. Today, Mary explores the implications of the little and big decisions we make … and fail to make.

Good leadership cannot exist without strong communication, and strong communication cannot occur without being very intentional about it. Today, we hear from Karen Sorrells, Director of the Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church in Asheville, NC. This superb community of arts academy serves several hundred teenagers and children in its quest to keep the arts vibrant and flourishing in the beautiful city of Asheville. Today, we'll want to listen intently, because Karen covers a LOT of territory in this discussion of communication.

Mark Lawson is CEO and President of the ECS Publishing Group located in St. Louis. Having served as a minister of music early in his career, Mark is highly knowledgeable the needs and challenges of church musicians today. Let's listen as we hear Mark and Randy discuss how, coming out of the pandemic months, we can work to rebuild and fortify our choral programs and music ministries.

Erin Clarke is Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia. Today, Erin tells the story of her finding her vocation as a teacher, music minister, mom of four, and an encourager of others. We believe you will thoroughly enjoy listening to Erin tell her colorful story today.

Today is a special episode of Communique as Randy speaks on the subject, WAR AND PEACE. As we live in a world that seems more and more torn by hatred, divisiveness, and cruelty, we can be reminded that of our greatest gifts for expressing the love and reconciliation of Christ … is prayer. We hope you will be encouraged and energized by the words that follow.

Timothy Peoples is senior pastor of Emorywood Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina. A bright young light and fresh face among young senior pastors, Timothy is a graduate of Yale University's Divinity School and is pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry at Emory's Candler School of Theology. Today, Randy and Timothy discuss the factors that have brought Timothy into his vocation and calling to ministry.

Dr. Allen Lott is Professor of Music History in the School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Allen is a renowned researcher and musicologist with a special interest in Brahms's Requiem. Today, you will hear Dr. Lott make interesting comparisons to the selection of Brahms's texts and how YouthCUE selects its anthems for our festival participants to sing. Listen as Allen provides his fascinating insights on beauty and truth.

Dr. Aaron Tyler is Professor of Global Affairs at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. In today's episode, Randy and Aaron discuss the importance of effective communication in public discourse, family dynamics, and with high school and college students as they grow. In the next several minutes, be ready to take in much valuable information and many insights as to how we can all become more effective as we relate to others through the communication process.

Dr. Tim Sharp is an author, researcher, conductor, composer, strategist, futurist, and collaborator. From 2007 through 2020, Dr. Sharp was the Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association. Today, Randy and Tim discuss the state of choral music in the spring of 2022.

Robert Sterling is a songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, singer, sound engineer, and, according to some trusted friends, perhaps the best Sunday School teacher in the world! We hear a taste of Robert's work every week as he produces all our CUEcast episodes … including today's … hi there, Robert! He also wrote all the theme music for the Classic, Communique, and Axiom episodes you hear every week. Today, Robert tells a true story from his own experience as a young songwriter and arranger. It's entitled “The Charlie Factor.” We think you'll be inspired by hearing Robert's words.

At the time of Pentecost, one of the most dramatic developments was when people began speaking to one another in their own languages. The miracle was that everyone understood each other! Understanding one another … REALLY understanding each other is always a miracle, even when everyone speaks English! In today's episode, Randy welcome back the Rev. Dr. Abdue Knox, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. This wonderful dialogue gives us all a great deal to consider … every day … in our lives.

Doug Haney is Minister of Music at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. A veteran church musician for over three decades, Doug has a keen interest in staying in touch with his colleagues and keeping them connected through the challenge they face in their vocations. Most recently, Doug has given increased leadership to the Polyphony Project, collaborating with both music ministers and researchers to discover what the next generation of leaders will need in the years ahead.

In this episode, Mark Edwards provides a colorful image of how hymns can provide guiding lights for navigation through our life's journeys. Much like the sacred text of scripture, hymn texts coupled with beautiful tunes offer us people of faith unique hope and affirmation as we follow in the ways of Jesus. As we work with today's students, we help enrich and empower their lives when we provide them with the rich gift of hymns.

We are living in a time when people can be very impatient and angry with one another. A lot of it has been caused by the pandemic, but some of it also has to do with the build-up of frustration about other things in their lives. Today, Randy will talk to us about how we can communicate love, compassion, and grace in a very chaotic world. 

Jo Scurlock Dillard is past president of the Texas Music Educators Association and was for 13 years director of choral activities as Reagan High School in San Antonio. Jo remains highly active as a choral clinician for all-region and all-state groups throughout Texas and beyond. Today, Randy and Jo discuss the key components in providing visionary leadership to high school choirs today.

In today's episode, Dana Effler takes on a journey back into her childhood when she first learned to swim. Dana says a big part of that whole process is learning to make water your friend. Listen in today as Dana makes powerful applications for the living of our everyday lives, through the pandemic or anytime.

Adam Cogliano, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, is a 2020 graduate of Truett Seminary and Baylor University. In the summer of 2020, Adam began serving as minister of music at First Baptist Church Dalton, Georgia. Beginning a brand new fulltime ministry in the midst of the pandemic was an enormous challenge. However, it was Adam's excellent communication skills which enabled him to be in a healthy position once the pandemic began to lift. We think you'll enjoy hearing this young man's story of getting started against all odds.

Reverend Doctor Abdue Knox is the Senior Pastor at Greater Bethel AME Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today, Randy and Abdue discuss the ministry at Bethel and how this vibrant congregation is meeting critically important needs throughout their community … and beyond. At the end of the Episode, Abdue talk about how important music is in bringing people together from across cultural divides.

Pam Dunagan tells a moving story originally told by Sidney Poitier who remembers his teenage years, seven decades ago. Pamela makes timely application to choral directors who teach and minister to teenagers in 2022, showing how the influence we have on todays students will follow and bless them for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Tim Sharp is an author, researcher, conductor, composer, strategist, futurist, and collaborator. From 2007 through 2020, Dr. Sharp was the Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association. An outstanding thinker and communicator, Tim joins Randy today in a discussion of effective communication as a crucial component of strong choral leadership.

Attending this year's TMEA convention was a life-changing experience for Randy. He wants to use the special episode of CUEcast to tell us about what he experienced and the effects it has had on him since. We hope you, too, will find hope, courage, and new energy in what you hear today.

Dr. Allen Lott is a renowned researcher and musicologist. Allen has also been an avid YouthCUE supporter from the very beginning, providing encouragement, insights, and support for the ministry we seek to provide. Two of Allen's now-adult children, Andy and Jessie-Anne, have been YouthCUE participants over the years. Dr. Lott is Professor of Music History in the School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has recently written a fascinating book on Brahms's Requiem, which is his topic today.

Jo Scurlock Dillard is an educator, clinician, mentor, student teacher supervisor, and past President of the Texas Music Educators Association. A legendary high school choral director in Texas and beyond, Jo spent 13 years as choral director at Reagan High School in San Antonio, where she built a dynasty in choral music which gained statewide and national recognition. Today, Jo and Randy discuss the critical importance of effective communication in the high school choral setting.

Taylor Scott Davis is Director of Music and Worship Arts at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Not only is Taylor at the helm of a large and robust music ministry at St. Andrew, he is also a world-class composer of choral and orchestral music. Recently, he and Morningstar Music have released his Magnificat, which is a glorious work we encourage you to explore. Most recently, Taylor has been the arranger for Voces8, featuring a wide array of glorious carol arrangements this past Christmas. Let's listen in as Randy and Taylor discuss his vocation as a composer and minister of music.

Today, Robert Sterling helps us take a fresh look at our own creativity and work ethic, all from the perspective of the life of Jesus. We think you're going to love what Robert has to say!

Dr. Lynne Gackle is Director of Choral Activities at Baylor University and the Past National President of the American Choral Directors Association. Today we will talk to Lynne about how she communicates with her students and faculty colleagues. We'll discover how she thinks about and approaches communication in an environment of constant change has become the norm.

Dr. Lynne Gackle is Director of Choral Activities at Baylor University and the Past National President of the American Choral Directors Association. Lynne's superb choral skills, paired with her ability to forge strong relationships, create a synergy of excellence among the students she directs. In today's interview, Lynne explains some of how this dynamic works.

Mark Edwards returns today with another inspiring story of how hymns have sustained him and his family through some of life's most trying times. As YouthCUE seeks to create healthy soundtracks in teenager's lives, we need to keep in mind how the beauty of hymns can be used to provide powerful permanent underpinnings for students growing up quickly to become adults.  

Now that we have completed six introductory episodes for the Communique series, it's time to bring in some guests to discuss how all the moving parts of communication work in real life. Today, Randy interviews Taylor Scott Davis about his philosophy of communication with his staff team and the choirs he directs. Taylor is Director of Music and Choral Arts at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, and he is also a fabulous composer, now writing and arranging for Voces8. Let's listen to what Taylor says about the importance of good communication in his ministry.

Dr. Molly Marshall is the new President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minnesota. Molly returns to CUEcast today to continue discussing with Randy the possibilities, challenges, and blessings of helping students discern vocational calls to ministry.

Dan Jean is a frequent writer on the YouthCUE website and also in our monthly newsletter. Dan was also a guest in some of our early CUEcast episodes. A retired Methodist minister now living in upper Washington State, Dan has a way of discerning the most relevant issues and providing us timely inspiration. Today, Dan's latest piece, titled POLYRHYTHMN, will inform, inspire, comfort and encourage.

Today, Randy wraps up his introduction of the Communique series. In this episode, we will discuss the four forms of communication that demand our constant attention as we stay on the cutting edge of ministry with today's teens. There is a ton of material to cover, so let's get started.

Dr. Tim Lyles is the Minister of Music and youth choir director at Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas. A long-time participant in YouthCUE events with his student choirs, Tim is creative on many levels in his ministry with teenagers. Today, Tim talks about some of his favorite student choir music, along with a new concept he has pioneered, called CONVERGE.

Matt Allen is an attorney and a YouthCUE alumnus living in San Antonio. You may have read some of Matt's writings in the YouthCUE newsletter, or perhaps you heard earlier episodes written by Matt. Today's episode, THE HINGES OF HISTORY, encourages us to be true to ourselves and to pursue our passions with energy, gratitude, humility, and confidence. When we unapologetically express our God-given gifts, the world around us changes for the better and a little bit of history is made for the good.

Strong leadership cannot exist apart from clear vision. In today's episode, Randy provides an array of examples of how visionary leaders have changed the world around them for the better. We'll also learn how we can enrich our own visions for the vocational work we do. Remember, it is our communication skills that provide freight for this vision among the people we serve.

Heidi Goeller gives us her unique view of the work done being done by her and her husband, Dan, in Harmony South Dakota. Be ready to be moved, challenged, and inspired by the dedication of Heidi to this transformational ministry. We can all learn lessons from her passion and commitment to the kids she serves.

Mark Edwards begins a monthly series on hymns, how we read them, how we study them, how we sing them, and how they change our lives. This episode spotlights the hymn O WORSHIP THE KING.

Is there a link between good communication and effective leadership? Well … yes … there is! In today's episode we look at the landscape from the negative, seeing what happens in groups when leadership is inept at communication skills. We don't remain negative for long, however, because in the next Communique episode next week, we will discuss the enormous blessings of becoming a leader with strong vision.