Five Tips to Keep Your Voice Healthy.

keeping  your voice healthy will save you alot of mess and keep you on the right track of managing your voice. These are tip to help you manage your voice with the maximum assistance.
1.  Train your voice and body just like an athlete: Learn proper singing technique, don't overuse the voice, get plenty of rest, eat a balanced, healthy diet.  Singers are like vocal gymnasts who traverse their artistic range with apparent ease and flexibility. Gymnasts are extremely disciplined people who spend hours perfecting their craft and are much more likely than the general public to sustain an injury.  Professional singers carry some of these same risks and must maintain a disciplined practice schedule with intervals of rest and recovery to perform at an optimal level, regardless of genre.
2.  Let your voice shine.  Attempting to imitate someone else’s voice or singing style can require you to sing or do things outside of your comfortable physiologic range or current vocal skill level.  This could result in vocal injury.  Also remember that if you are imitating someone who is already famous, their millions have been made.  You want to be the next star that they hire, not just a copycat.
3.  Pace yourself.  When you are preparing for a show or audition season, you must pace yourself and your voice.  You would not think of trying to get all of your exercise in at the gym by going one day a week for 5 hours.  Rather, you should sing (and exercise) in smaller increments of time (30-45 minutes) each day, gradually building muscular skill and stamina.  As you improve, you should be able to increase the amount of time as well as the difficulty of vocal skill.
 4. Avoid phonotraumatic behaviors such as yelling, screaming, loud talking, singing too loudly.  When you increase your vocal loudness, your vocal folds bang together harder (much like clapping your hands really hard, loud, and fast).  After a period of doing this, your vocal folds begin to react to the impact by becoming swollen and red.  Long term phonotrauma can lead to vocal fold changes such as vocal fold nodules.
5.  Adequate hydration.  Be sure to drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day.  Although nothing you eat or drink gets onto the vocal folds, adequate oral hydration allows the mucus to act like a lubricant instead of glue.

Pope Francis homily for christmas eve 2014.

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - "The people who walked in darkness haveseen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on themhas light shined" (Is 9:1). "An angel of the Lord appeared to (theshepherds) and the glory of the Lord shone around them" (Lk 2:9). Thisis how the liturgy of this holy Christmas night presents to us the birthof the Saviour: as the light which pierces and dispels the deepestdarkness. The presence of the Lord in the midst of his people cancelsthe sorrow of defeat and the misery of slavery, and ushers in joy andhappiness.

We, too, in this blessed night, have come to the house of God. We havepassed through the darkness which envelops the earth, guided by theflame of faith which illuminates our steps, and enlivened by the hope offinding the "great light". By opening our hearts, we also cancontemplate the miracle of that child-sun who, arising from on high,illuminates the horizon.

The origin of the darkness which envelops the world is lost in the nightof the ages. Let us think back to that dark moment when the first crimeof humanity was committed, when the hand of Cain, blinded by envy,killed his brother Abel (cf. Gen 4:8). As a result, the unfolding of thecenturies has been marked by violence, wars, hatred and oppression.

But God, who placed a sense of expectation within man made in his imageand likeness, was waiting. He waited for so long that perhaps at acertain point it seemed he should have given up. But he could not giveup because he could not deny himself (cf. 2 Tim 2:13). Therefore hecontinued to wait patiently in the face of the corruption of man andpeoples.

Through the course of history, the light that shatters the darknessreveals to us that God is Father and that his patient fidelity isstronger than darkness and corruption. This is the message of Christmasnight. God does not know outbursts of anger or impatience; he is alwaysthere, like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, waiting tocatch from afar a glimpse of the lost son as he returns.

Isaiah's prophecy announces the rising of a great light which breaksthrough the night. This light is born in Bethlehem and is welcomed bythe loving arms of Mary, by the love of Joseph, by the wonder of theshepherds. When the angels announced the birth of the Redeemer to theshepherds, they did so with these words: "This will be a sign for you:you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger"(Lk 2:12).

The "sign" is the humility of God taken to the extreme; it is the lovewith which, that night, he assumed our frailty, our suffering, ouranxieties, our desires and our limitations. The message that everyonewas expecting, that everyone was searching for in the depths of theirsouls, was none other than the tenderness of God: God who looks upon uswith eyes full of love, who accepts our poverty, God who is in love withour smallness.

On this holy night, while we contemplate the Infant Jesus just born andplaced in the manger, we are invited to reflect. How do we welcome thetenderness of God? Do I allow myself to be taken up by God, to beembraced by him, or do I prevent him from drawing close? "But I amsearching for the Lord" - we could respond. Nevertheless, what is mostimportant is not seeking him, but rather allowing him to find me andcaress me with tenderness. The question put to us simply by the Infant'spresence is: do I allow God to love me?

More so, do we have the courage to welcome with tenderness thedifficulties and problems of those who are near to us, or do we preferimpersonal solutions, perhaps effective but devoid of the warmth of theGospel? How much the world needs tenderness today!

The Christian response cannot be different from God's response to oursmallness. Life must be met with goodness, with meekness. When werealize that God is in love with our smallness, that he made himselfsmall in order to better encounter us, we cannot help but open ourhearts to him, and beseech him: "Lord, help me to be like you, give methe grace of tenderness in the most difficult circumstances of life,give me the grace of closeness in the face of every need, of meekness inevery conflict".

Dear brothers and sisters, on this holy night we contemplate theNativity scene: there "the people who walked in darkness have seen agreat light" (Is 9:1). People who were unassuming, open to receiving thegift of God, were the ones who saw this light. This light was not seen,however, by the arrogant, the proud, by those who made laws according totheir own personal measures, who were closed off to others. Let us lookto the crib and pray, asking the Blessed Mother: "O Mary, show usJesus!'"
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My christmas message for choiristers

My Dear Friends,
Christmas songs synthesizes almost everything I’d like to say to you!
I think this Christmas we should thank God (or ask, if that’s the case) for our health and the strength he gives us to work and to be happy.
It’s simply our health that permits us to have the force to battle for “money in our pockets”, because that’s what gives us disposition to go after our objectives, to fight loyally for our interests, to transform our own and the people we love’s lives into much happier lives.
And that’s why, this end of year, I’m only asking for health for me, for you who are my friend, and for all those who are on this planet.
With more physical, moral and spiritual health we will all live with a lot more love in our hearts and everything will be a lot better.
With more physical and spiritual health, we could fight for a world with more justice, harmony and pacific, with no more wars and conflicts!

Merry Christmas and a HEALTHY New Year.

Our choir file.

It is pitifully pitiful that most of our beloved choiristers do not own a well arranged arranged file. Sometimes, when they own a file, the manuscript is as rumbled as a second hand dress (Okrika) which was just opened from it bale. What of hymn book? It is as good as a dilapidated building whose some of the component has fallen away. Most hymn books starts from page 6 or 20, some however does not have center page or an end page. But be that as it may, we can turn can be more conscious of the way we handle our choral materials. If you ask me to recommend a way of really handling our choral materials I will tell choiristers to "treat holy things in holy way. What ways work for you when caring for your choral materials?

Biography of the great ancestor Jude Nnam

Sir Jude “Ancestor” Nnam is without doubt the most prolific composer in Catholic Church in Africa, with thousands of original pieces and arrangements in several languages (English, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Bini, Efik, Igala, Ibibio, Swahili, Ashanti, Zulu, Spanish, Esan, Kalabari, French and the latest, in Chinese to mention but a few) to his name.

Born on November 10, 1965 to the family of Chief Patrick Chukwu Nnam and Mrs. Felicia Nnam of Umunnaugwu, Amechi, Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government, Enugu State. He has certificates in music from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Trinity College of Music, London.

A man in love with originality, he has carved out a niche for himself with his strikingly unique melodies, filled with words that caress both the ear and the heart, and his evergreen contrapuntal harmonies that leave all and sundry wondering “What kind of man is this?”

He is a multi-instrumentalist with his unique style of accompaniment that has influenced the greater fraction of the organists in the Catholic Church in Nigeria and beyond.

A music director per excellence, he directed the “Papal Choir of a thousand voices” in Abuja during Saint Pope John Paul 11’s second visit to Nigeria, March 1998.

A recent survey showed that no Sunday Mass ends in most part of Africa, without at least two of Jude Nnam’s numerous songs having been sung. Another earlier survey reported that Jude Nnam has about 75% of all songs in the Catholic Church in Nigeria to his name. Sir Jude Nnam can safely be said to be the greatest and highest composer of Catholic songs today. Recently, he is involved in efforts to bridge the canyon, created by ethnic and denominational divides, between choirs in Nigeria through musical activities of various sorts.

He is a well-traveled Composer cum Instrumentalist whose story cannot be told in one account. A master of human relations, he always leaves an indelible impression on whomever he comes across, a quality that endears him so closely to people’s hearts all over the world and makes one want to meet him more. Another very interesting thing is that anyone expects to see a grey haired old man whenever the meet Jude Nnam for the first time, but it always is fun to see the obvious amazement in people’s faces when a handsome young man flashes a charming smile and with his hands out stretched says “Good day, I am Jude Nnam”.

The Ancestor, a much deserved and well-earned name by which he is popularly known, is happily married with four angelic children.

6 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHOIR PRACTICE.

Keeping your choir practice as fresh as possible can be challenging at times. Many of your choir members sacrifice their time after a long, hard day at work. They are looking for a well-planned rehearsal that is both challenging and rewarding. Following these simple suggestions will help you get the most out of every rehearsal.

How To Improve Your Choir Practice

Set a goal to work toward

The adage says “if you aim for nothing you will hit it every time.” Practicing without first knowing your expectations for your choir is a waste of everyone’s time. Clearly define your goals concerning what you expect your choir to accomplish during their practice. Consider choosing goals that involve tone, blend, rhythm accuracy, message, expression, and of a course deadline.

Present fresh music

One of the best ways to motivate your choir is by challenging them with fresh and exciting music. Over time using the “same old” music will dampen the enthusiasm of your choir. Attend music seminars, listen to recordings and join a choral club for new ideas.

Teach your choir

Do a lot of reading on ways to better your choir and teach them what you learn. From warm up exercises to diction, make the rehearsal worth the time they invest. If necessary, sign up for vocal lessons and you will have volumes to share with your choir. Your preparation is paramount.

Give the Lord some time

Do not be so immersed in the mechanics of singing that you forget to take time to explain the text of the song and its meaning. Your choir will sing with more feeling and enthusiasm when the message in the song is from the heart. Occasionally a short devotion by you or a choir member would be appropriate.

Be enthusiastic (keep it exciting)

Enthusiasm is contagious. Get your rest and be prepared for each choir practice. Your attitudes will set the pace for all to follow. Keep the rehearsal flowing. Don’t allow any one part or passage bog you down while others wait. Changing from song to song every 10-15 minutes is helpful. Remember, “variety is the spice of life.” Vary your chose of song so not to be singing always in 3/4 or in a melancholy style.

Start and end on time

It’s easy to delay starting choir practice while waiting for late arrivals. Choir members will make a greater effort to be on time if they know you will begin without them. Starting on time will convey to your choir members the message that their time is important to you. Ending on time will allow your choir to have a chance to fellowship with others before the service and feel a part of the congregation.

Adding these ideas to each choir practice will improve the time you spend with your choir.

3RD SUN OF ADVENT MASS SELECTION FOR ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL BAUCHI, ALL SAINT BLOCK ROSARY CHOIR

ENTRANCE: Behold Among Men (Lucien Deis)

LHM: Idoma Ondo Menini Alo

CREED: Do you believe

OFFERTORY: 1. Earthly Gift
            2. Kosisochukwu (Jude Nnam)

CONSECRATION: Father all powerful

HOLY: Nso Nso ( Semi Atuwanya)

LOG: Latin

PRE-COMMUNION: While Shephered watched (Tune by Winchester Old)

COMMUNION: Orinrinsonenyendu ( Semi Atuwanya)

DISMISAL: Sing with Joy (359)

Sing Praises!