Before you scroll down and read this weeks idea, I need to to suggest something.
I am so grateful for the Internet and the opportunity we all have to benefit from each other and to have so much fun in our callings. When I started this blog, I had no idea there were so many out there that had the same need for ideas for a primary chorister as I had. I was simply trying to find a way to record what I had done for some future date if I ever have this calling again. I am so happy if I've helped you in even the smallest way.
My hope for this blog is not to be the end all say all to what you do in your calling. I don't post many pictures because I really would hope that you take these ideas as simply suggestions that can be improved upon, changed, and adapted to fit your situation. I would hope that I'm not the "Saturday panic" blog...your primary deserves more. Although, we all have those weeks...me included. I really believe that each of us was set apart in our own wards for a reason. We can be inspired for what our specific primary children need. Some of the ideas I post simply will not work for you.... at times, some of them haven't worked for me either.
I encourage you will all my heart to pray and ask for guidance in your calling. Rely on Him who inspired your calling to this position. He knows how they learn, how they feel, and how best they will take these precious songs into their hearts. Never under estimate your own abilities to bless their lives or to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father. He called You because You had what they need right now.
I hope your day is wonderful. Thank you for inspiring me to be better.
-Melanie
Thank you for all you do Melanie! I can say that I have been primary choirester on and off for 11 years and I love to be inspired by your blog. It is great to hear different ideas, but I am also greatful for the talents that my HF gave me and that I can develop that creativity through this calling. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I agree, nothing is better than personal inspiration. Although, i must say that you have helped me quite a bit since I am a new chorister and they didnt really have one before me. I am starting from scratch. Its nice to have little ideas here and there to help inspire my own ideas. Sometimes I might take your ideas and sometimes I dont. As a matter of fact, this week, I was inspired to do something else. But no, You are not my last minute idea place. I really appreciate this blog. Thanks sooo much
ReplyDeleteI just want to say thank you for your willingness to share your ideas. I am very grateful to be in this calling. I have never had this calling before and it has been challenging at times but very rewarding. I am the type of person that puts in more than 100% in my callings and I wanted to do the same with this calling. It is nice to have some ideas to start with and make into your own. I didn't realize that I enjoyed being creative. I also don't use this blog as a last minute thing I try to have ideas put together in advance and adapt them to the other songs as well. So thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI agree--thank you for everything you do. I appreciate your enthusiasm and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. :)
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ReplyDeletethank you - i needed to hear that
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thanks for your suggestions!
ReplyDeleteAmen to all that was said. We are all given the inspiration to know what is best for our own wards/branches. I know I have truly been guided in the things I should do and I am so grateful for that personal revelation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your "inspired" comments... very well put. You have been blessed and you bless us all...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this blog, and for your encouragement to pray about our callings.
ReplyDeleteI've been the primary chorister for four wards in a row, and I pray very sincerely each week to be able to present the music in a way that will be effective for learning, as well as allowing the spirit to be present.
I think too often we try to compete with the world and simply provide Sunday entertainment. There's a bit of a fine line between allowing music time to be fun and enjoyable while at the same time allowing the sacred nature of these primary songs to be felt. I think you strike a great balance.
Thank you a million times over for your dedication to your calling, and for sharing some successful and creative ideas with the rest of us. I pray many, many blessings upon you for your efforts!!
that you for your blog - and this post! I am also doing something different this week --- the olympics! but this is a good reminder to actually DO your calling and not use a crutch. sometimes I need to hear that. thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I have been chorister for a year now and I have to say, as inspiring and helpful as blogs like yours are, it is tempting to panic on saturday night and just take the ideas presented online that we find instead of praying for what may be best for our individual primarys. They truely do deserve 110% of our efforts. From their spirit and through prayer I feel how much love Heavenly Father has for his precious children and I know I need to do my best in teaching and guiding them. Thank you, again, for this post. It is nice to have a reminder from time to time. I do hope you continue sharing your ideas as they not only inspire ideas in others, but encourage us to love our primary children as much as we can tell you do. Thank you. <3
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ReplyDeleteHi Crazy Chorister,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog, which I reference often, I should post what I do, too, but I would have to be the Certifiably Insane Chorister! Anyway, I wrote some new lyrics to the song, "Latter-Day Prophets" so that the names are those of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. We'll be singing it next month to prepare for General Conference. (Just printed out, not really WORKING on it to memorize) It turned out so great I wanted to pass it along. Let me know what you think!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_y2Vxlkr7_0Q/S4GF-bwkDuI/AAAAAAAAAcg/QO3r0XyIQOg/s1600-h/Apostles+and+Prophets.jpg
Nice post. You have great ideas, I love to come here and feel inspired to make our own ward singing time more fun and spiritual. One of my favorite parts of this calling is that I get to choose what to do each week and that some weeks are silly, crazy and some are reverent and really powerfully spiritual. It is the best calling! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! That is just what I needed to hear!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your blog. I got called as primary chorister for the first time a month ago. I had no idea what to do and felt completely overwhelmed and underqualified. I have truly appreciated your ideas and insight. I begin thinking about each week's singing time right after I finish teaching the previous week (so I often check your blog daily to see when you post). I am becoming more familiar with my calling and am more able to adapt your ideas to our primary (or even come up with something different). Thanks so very much for posting your inspirations and helping me to get some sparks of my own going!
ReplyDeleteYou reinforced a true principle very well, Mel. Even though I'm not a primary chorister, I've been one and I think it's great to have a forum to share ideas. Isn't it wonderful that inspiration can bless so many! and this comment area is a way for fellow choristers to share their inspired ideas. I recommend this blog to every primary chorister I talk with. I'm the lucky one because I'm your mother-in-law. I love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your inspiring words and wonderful blog. May I post a link to it? versiculouno@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCarrie in WA
I read this post with great interest because I recently began to blog about Primary music. I didn't know whether I should or not, but like you, I thought it would be a great way to correlate my notes and ideas in a way that my daughter and daughters-in-law could easily access in the future. And I thought perhaps I could communicate with other people doing the same thing at the same time and get some feedback. I love to read your blog. I check it often. I appreciate the effort you spend to share your talents. Thank you Melanie.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melanie for all you do. I love your ideas and often just love to check in and see what you have planned even if I've already planned something just to see if I can use it in the future. It helps me to not feel alone in my calling when I read your blog and the comments from others. Thanks again for all of the support and inspiration you give us.
ReplyDeleteShannon - Gilbert, AZ
Hi. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I came across your blog a few weeks ago. I have been reading it every week since. So now you are international! Your ideas are wonderful. Thank you for all you do. I, also, will endeavour to continue to pray about my calling and be inspired regarding my childrens' particular needs.
ReplyDeleteLara.
I meant to comment last week, but I got sidetracked. Thank you for your post and your ideas. I agree with all that been said and I love all your ideas even though I don't use them all due to the nature of my primary. I hope you know how amazing you are (even though I've never met you) and am thankful for your help! Layne
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if I've commented on your blog or not, but I just want to thank you for writing all these fabulous ideas down. I'm kicking myself, b/c this is now my 3rd time doing this calling. I WISH I would have written down my ideas from years past. I remember only a few things. I love people like you that get my creative juices flowing again.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, your ideas are wonderful! I am also a Primary Chorister, and I have designed and had manufactured an easel binder for displaying picture prompts. You can view it on my website, www.ldsmusic.ca. Would you be interested in receiving one free to evaluate? If you think it is worthwhile, would you be willing to add my website to your links? It displays 8.5"x11" pictures either horizontally or vertically, so works well with the GAK pictures or Gospel Art Book pictures. It would also be great for displaying the flipcharts available on other sites. You can contact me at elinor@hamiltonandsonmusic.com.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI love coming to youir blog for all of your wonderful ideas and am so grateful that I found it. I really worry for the day that you get released! I was only called as the primary music leader for the first time just a couple of months ago so am still getting into it. I take your ideas and adapt them to my primary kids' needs and it's been wonderful! Slowly but surely I am learning my way into my calling to be more effective and must admit that I have relied on some of your posts to get me through, but am happy to say that i'm figuring it out now. Perhaps one day I'll be able to contribute something back.