Has anyone had a chance to check out the Music for 2004. While I like it, I am a little concerned that it may be too hard for the children to learn in 5 days (25 min. per day). We average about 30-40 children with probably half of them pre-school & 1-2-3 grades. And if you didn't use it, what could you use with this theme?

HOw about using just one verse and chorus,or just the chorus. Take one song that will represent the weeks theme and concentrate on that every day? We never use all the songs available because, you are right, 5 days isn't enough to learn them all. So we just use short versions of new songs and incorporate Sunday School songs that everyone knows already. Hope that helps.

I actually think the songs are a little easier this year. Last year most of our kids were age 4 and 5 and I know that most of them didn't get the songs.

This year I am planning on teaching the theme song in Sunday School ahead of time to build excitement and I am going to ask the Pastor about singing the song Rush to Rest in the service in the dates surrounding VBS and on the days we do skits during the service.

SSDMegan- That's a great idea about teaching your Sunday school kids the VBS songs. Thanks for posting!

Another idea is to have everyone sing the 'chorus' of the songs and have older children sing the 'verses', either together or as short solos. Also, if you can afford to purchase some CDs, they could be handed out to families in advance, so that the children could start listening to the songs before VBS starts.

Our children's choir practices the songs for a few weeks prior to VBS. That way, at least somebody out there knows how they go! Too, we're going to let a group of our Middle School teens help out with the motions and songs from the stage. The music always sounds hard, but children learn more easily than adults. Trust me, I teach Spanish to Kindergarteners! Also, why not get the bundle of listening CD's and pass them out to the pre-enrolled children so that the music won't be so new when they arrive at VBS?

We had a great night of praise & worship with Jeff Slaughter at my church Saturday (2/14). He taught us the theme song & "Sing a Song of ABC" & the motions. The kids ( and adults!)caught on really quick. I watched the DVD with the other motions on it this morning and have been humming them all day. You will be surprised at how quick the kids can catch on. They really give you a work out too! We are teaching it to our children's choir this week so they can help me with it at a conference we are hosting next week. I love watching the adults do the motions!
Our kids will also be learning all the songs in choir the month or so before VBS. This is really helpful at VBS time. The other kids who aren't in choir pick it up faster. By the end of the week, everyone is a pro!!!

Good luck with your VBS in 2004!

Dear west42,

So far I have been very pleased with this year's Children's music. The theme song is challenging, but I am confident the children will have it down by the end of the week. But I must admit I have not heard any of the Preschool Music. Could you clarify for me which music is of most concern to you?

Here are a few things to keep in mind...
The Children's Music, the Children's Musical, and the Worship Rally Music are all designed for 1st-6th Graders and are not intended for Preschoolers. The Preschoolers have their own songs and worship experiences in their classrooms. They also have their own simplified theme song this year! The Children's Music is usually just the chorus or a portion of the Musical songs. So the children are only learning a small amount at one time. If you are using the Children's Musical it is intended for use outside of the Music Rotation. Such as an extension to your daily VBS schedule or in Children's Choir.

Overall, I think the most helpful aspect of this year's Children's Music is that Jeff included several songs in the Musical and Music Rotation that are also sung during the Worship Rally. This way there are more opportunities to learn the songs.

I'm excited about the music. And I hope you will be also the more you listen to it and sing it yourself.

Annica

Aside from the main theme song we aren't using any of the themed music at all. We are wanting to make the Worship Rally more upbeat, much like those found at a Centrifuge camp. We're wanting the make it fun and exciting for the children, something to get them "awake" and excited to be there. After listening to the 2004 Music CD we came to the conclusion that all of the music was just too slow so we scrapped it in favor of some worship-style and "fun & nonsense-type" music.

Dear chsoundman,

I'm just wondering...I love an upbeat worship service. You should hear our church's band! They more than ROCK! But have you stopped to think what message you are sending the children when you combine "fun & nonsense-type" music with worship music IN A WORSHIP SERVICE? For me "nonsense" has nothing to do with worshiping the Lord!

Annica Cook

This is my first year at this church. The church has 2 pre-school departments. How is the preschool music done? I have the CD, but there is not a leader's book. Am I missing something, or do the teacher's just play the CD for the children? I have another leader for children's music, and shie is on the ball!

The musical has alot of the music, and we are doing the musical for Parents Night program. The director has already started teaching the songs to the children who will be in the program. VBS is June 21-25 and parents night is June 27. We will have a "jump" on the music when VBS begins.

I have come up with a few "piggyback" songs for preschoolers about Japan. If you would like a copy, e-mail me and I'll be glad to send you a copy!

lylibu@juno.com