Scores of music, coffee and my open laptop to Planning Center Online equals this music director’s Tuesday afternoon on a chilly spring day.  I have gone, almost entirely, through the season of Lent with the stress of finding just the right music for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  I was challenged with these thoughts:  do I continue with the same tried and true music of the season?  do I challenge my church volunteers with new music?  where or where do I even begin this year!?!?!  You’ll be glad to know that by this point in time, I have selected all of the music, had my choir rehearsing and secured the brass quintet for Easter.  So where have I landed, you ask?  Well I’ve strived to combine the familiar with a couple of stunning pieces from the archives.  God So Loved the World by John Stainer is a particular favorite of mine…you might even say a go-to for me on just about any given worship service.  A few choral plus brass quintet pieces have me landing on Crown Him With Many Crowns and An Easter Celebration arr. Craig Courtney, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross arr. Gilbert Martin plus a stunning find Behold the Lamb of God  arr. Robert Sumner.  I might add, this last piece took me back into the church’s library archives to find this arrangement with a copyright of 1960.  The harmonies and chord progressions find it irresistible for this choir director.  At one point, I found myself in Gotham City, yes that’s a reference to Batman!  Finally, I chose to bridge the gap between the contemporary and traditional lovers.  The Credo from Gospel Mass by Robert Ray will have the toes tapping of the congregants as the choir proclaims the great Crede in a choral setting. Take a moment to listen to the links for each song as you prepare your hearts for worship during Holy Week!