Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Sing Alleluia, the supplement to the Australian Hymn Book, was published in 1987. Containing unfamiliar hymns, songs, psalms, chants, rounds and communion settings, it became apparent that congregations could benefit from introductory sessions which explored creative ways of using music in worship. To this end a small 'ad hoc' group of singers and instrumentalists from Uniting Churches in Melbourne offered the possibility of workshops.

Apart from worship leadership, conducting retreats and conferences, a small group presented three sessions on Christian Television and recorded the entire 105 items on cassette with Move Records over a period of two years.

Recordings were made in Wesley Church in Melbourne, often on cold winter nights. The intention was to demonstrate what a small occasional group could contribute to a diverse presentation of worship song.

Meanwhile invitations followed which led to visits across the state of Victoria for two years during which time over 40 volunteers participated, forming the 'Sing Alleluia Music Ministry Team' directed by Wendy McLean. At any one visit there would be four singers, a pianist, possibly a bass guitarist and a woodwind quartet for whom parts were arranged.

In compiling this CD there have been criteria:

* to use only material not already on the Together in Song - A Selection - 2 CD set commissioned by the AHB company.
* word changes from Sing Alleluia to Together In Song are minimal.
* to select a wide variety of words and musical styles including some which may be for occasional use only, or which may at first appear less accessible.
* to present selections with diverse instrumental accompaniments.

The intention remains - to encourage the belief that what a group of mostly amateurs can do, others can do, to enrich the peoples' song to the glory of God.

Wendy McLean - August 2004

Track Listing

TIS 99 (i) (ii) God, we praise you, God, we bless you - from Te Deum.
TIS 149 This is my Father's world
TIS 248 When Christ was lifted from the earth
TIS 253 O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr
TIS 254 O changeless Christ, for ever new
TIS 282 The voice of God goes out to all the world
TIS 285 Your coming, Lord, to earth in Bethlehem
TIS 327 In the fields near Bethlehem
TIS 356 Here hangs a man discarded
TIS 357 When his time was over the palms lay where they fell
TIS 383 Joyful the morning when Jesus Christ is risen!
TIS 391 Come, God's people, sing for joy
TIS 470 Rejoice in God's saints, today and all days
TIS 491 Father welcomes all his children
TIS 528 The Son of God proclaim
TIS 537 Let us talents and tongues employ
TIS 540 Christians lift your hearts and voices
TIS 542 Far beyond our mind's grasp
TIS 624 Christ be my leader by night as by day
TIS 636 God has spoken to his people
TIS 644 Safe in the shadow of the Lord
TIS 645 As man and woman we were made
TIS 646 God is our song
TIS 647 Comfort, comfort all my people
TIS 650 Brother, sister, let me serve you
TIS 656 Jesus, my Lord
TIS 671 Made in God's likeness, moved by the Spirit
TIS 672 Lord of earth and all creation
TIS 713 Donna nobis pacem
TIS 714 Eat this bread, drink this cup
TIS 715 Everything that has breath
TIS 716 Father, we adore you
TIS 727 In the presence of your people
TIS 730 Jesus, remember me