Today, May 19th, is the official release date of 2 brand new audio recordings by the talented GenevanSong singers. They are excited about praising the Lord in song and teaching others to do the same! If you are interested in learning to sing hymns or Psalms in four-part harmony, these CDs would be wonderful for giving practical help towards that goal, as it includes instructional vocal tracks along with the final version (we're not aware of other similar Psalm/hymn Cds that do this). Click here to view a photo report of their recording process, and continue reading to find out about our special giveaway!
Nations Praise seeks to teach families and churches how to sing the Psalms in four part harmony. The first ten tracks demonstrate the full harmony versions. The following selections break the parts down to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, so you can learn your notes and sing along. All selections can be found in The Book of Psalms for Singing.
Jonathan: I have lamented before on this blog about the lack of quality music that conforms to the principles in God's Word. I am especially pleased, therefore, to see what the Lord is doing through GenevanSong. Not only do these CDs exemplify godly, joyful singing, they also invite families and churches to do likewise. The other day, Hannah told me that the Servens had asked us to review their two newest CDs. I was certainly willing to do so. On Saturday, I had to run some errands around town, so I took Nations Praise with me in the car to listen to. It was great! The sound quality was professional, and the harmonies were well sung and blended beautifully. My only wish was that it could have lasted longer! I would say my favorite tracks were The Lord is My Shepherd (based, of course on Psalm 23) and By Babel's Streams We Sat and Wept (taken from Psalm 137). By Babel's Streams sounded like it had an Appalachian flavor to it, which I especially enjoyed. Once I finished all 10 Full Harmony tracks, I decided to put GenevanSong's idea to the test. Was it possible to easily learn a part?
I chose The Lord is My Shepherd to tackle first. I sing bass, so it took me awhile to skip to track 43 on our car's CD player. Nathan Serven's clear voice started singing, and it was only a few minutes later that I was able to start joining in. The bass part was fairly simple, so I was able to get the first couple phrases down quickly. A few more miles down the road and I had the rest of the part under my belt. So far, so good. My next step was to skip all the way back down to track 3 to the full harmony and try singing along with that. I did so--and failed miserably. I completely forgot my part as soon as I heard all the different harmonies together. Back to 43. I listened and sang some more. Back to 3. This time it was a little better. More back-and-forth track skipping ensued. I was gradually able to sing along, each time gaining more ease. I was stuck on one phrase though: ("....green pastures He leadeth me..."). I could nail it every time when singing bass solo, but it wouldn't come with the full harmony. Finally, when pulling up in our driveway, I was able to get it! Once inside, I demonstrated to the rest of the family, and they all agreed it sounded great.
So yes, it does work! Within an hour, I was able to learn a part and sing it along with others, by God's grace. Now for some of you, you might require more grace, but nonetheless, it wasn't that difficult. I am definitely not a trained singer, so I usually am not able to know what notes to sing by merely looking at the notes in the hymnal. Hearing the individual parts by themselves helped a lot. I trust it will help you, too. My next song to learn will probably be either By Babel's Streams or Come Thou Fount from Glory Laud and Honor (see below).
I would heartily recommend the GenevanSong CD's for both musical enjoyment and musical instruction. Keep up the good work, GenevanSong!
Glory, Laud, and Honor seeks to teach families and churches how to sing the Hymns in four part harmony. The first ten tracks demonstrate the full harmony versions. The following selections break the parts down to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, so you can learn your notes and sing along. All selections can be found in The Trinity Hymnal, and many other fine hymnals.
Hannah: Don't you like the cover photos of these CDs? I was impressed with the quality of the overall design, and after having enjoyed the first 2 volumes of the Servens' Psalms CDs, I was even more pleased with the way the sound turned out on these new volumes. I thought a nice mix of common/unfamiliar hymns were included on Glory, Laud, and Honor. One of my favorites was By Grace I'm Saved. Listen to a sample clip of Crown Him With Many Crowns here. I'm looking forward to possibly learning some of these selections with the family and eventually, church family!
To celebrate the release of these new recordings, Mountain Musings is hosting a CD giveaway, compliments of the Serven Clan! The winner will receive a free copy of each of the new CDs: Nations Praise and Glory, Laud, and Honor. To enter for a chance to win this drawing, make a comment to this post telling one of your favorite Psalms or hymns. This contest will end on Thursday, May 22nd at 9:00 pmEST, and the results will posted on Friday.
~Hannah and Jonathan
We have been learning to sing some of the Psalms from one of their earlier recordings. Our favorite "right now" is #71A from their CD entitled O SING A NEW PSALM!
We also love their HYMNS FOR KITH AND KIN. We used it yesterday in church. (PS We missed you!)
We especially enjoy "Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners" and "For All the Saints."
Posted by: Wagner Family | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I definitely want to enter your contest! I love to sing, especially in harmony with others. Uncle Jess, Emma, and I love to sing hymns together, and we love the Psalms, of course. My favorite Psalm is 42--I wonder if the Servans have put that one to music--v. 8--"and in the night His song shall be with me."
Posted by: Aunt Rhonda | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Psalm 19 and 121 are two of my favorites but actually I have many verses marked that bring encouragement and comfort to my soul. Since I've been using our hymnbook for a devotional book this year I've found many of the hymns have thoughts that refer back to Psalms like Blessed Assurance and Psalm 144:15 "...happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." We truly are blessed!
Posted by: Jane | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Wow! What a wonderful giveaway!Their harmonious music is absolutely beautiful! My favorite hymn is "What Wonderous Love is This?".
Posted by: Alli | Monday, May 19, 2008 at 04:20 PM
I come over here sometime;s from Bet's blog. This sounds interesting! I'd love to be entered.
It would be hard to pick either a favorite Psalm or hymn, there are so many wonderful ones. One favorite hymn is "Beneath the Cross of Jesus."
Posted by: Barbara H. | Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Favorite hymn: "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken"; words by John Newton; music by Franz Joseph Haydn.
Posted by: Carol Blair | Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 06:00 PM
What a wonderful giveaway! Our family sings 3-part harmony because no one can sing low enough for the 4th part. But I would enjoy learning a new way of singing. And I agree with Hannah ~ the CD pictures are beautiful. Thanks!
Posted by: Kathie | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 07:32 AM
You know you better count me in! My favorite hymn is Blessed Assurance! I would love to sing the harmony.
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Hello! The cd sounds wonderful! I love the Psalms, so it's difficult to pick a favorite, but I'll choose Psalm 34, as my favorite verse is Psalm 34:8. And I have a few favorite hymns also! Tell Me The Old, Old Story, and Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul are two of them.
I'm from Canada, so I'm not sure I'm eligible, but thought I'd post anyway!
Posted by: Deborah | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 05:23 PM
One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 37. It is very comforting to me when I am feeling out of sorts. My favorite hymn is Great is Thy Faithfulness. Thanks for having the giveaway! :)
Posted by: Dorothy | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM
My favorite is How Great Thou Art! Please enter the Donahue's :o)!!
Posted by: the Donahue's | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Greetings!
I just happened to check your blog this week, and when I saw this post, I couldn't resist entering the drawing. Jason and I learned of the Genevan Foundation from our brother-in-law a few years ago. We dont' own any of their products, so these CD's would be a great way to start our collection, as well as school us in the ways of harmonious family singing.
Posted by: Jenny | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Oh, so wonderful to read the comments on this post! Impossible to pick just one but I tried to whittle down the list! I love Psalm 62 "My soul finds rest in God alone ... He is my fortress; I will never be shaken ... " Psalm 63:8 "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." and Psalm 91! Hymns? Be Thou My Vision, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Satisfied
Posted by: Jodi | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 04:00 PM
One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 91.
Posted by: Deborah | Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I hope Canadians can enter? I am particularly interested in the hymn CD. One of my favourites is "There's a Fountain Free".
Posted by: Jennifer Bogart | Friday, May 23, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Hello,
I've purchased the cds, O Sing A New Song and Songs of the Remnant and I'm having a hard time finding the cd, Glory, Laud and Honor. Do you know how I can purchase copies of the cds, especially Glory, Laud and Honor? You may still have my name and email address in your system. Can you please help me get the cds that teach how to sing hymns in 4 part harmony? I would greatly appreciate whatever information you can give me. Thank you.
Posted by: Cynthia | Tuesday, February 06, 2018 at 05:08 PM