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The typical church choir member... ...is a non-professional volunteer who enjoys singing, indeed takes great JOY in singing, but typically has little or no formal musical training. Even many long-time choir members harbor misunderstandings about various musical concepts or possess only a sketchy knowledge of necessary music fundamentals. This often leads to frustration for both choir director and choir member, While there are many formal music theory texts available for serious music students, there are few if any texts that address the limited needs of the once-a-week, volunteer church choir member. This handy "Basic Music Survival Guide" is meant to fill that void. Music fundamentals are presented in a manner that is non-threatening, frequently humorous and always easy to read. The author has attempted to present to the reader the necessary basic musical concepts without offering him "more than he wants or needs to know!" Every choir member could benefit by having his or her own personal copy to refer to, or mark up, or study. Both directors and choir members are likely to find this little guide both rewarding and useful. The choir member can find simple answers to simple questions, and the director can use almost any page as a jumping off point to a more in depth answer when and if he or she feels the need to elaborate. Basic Musical Notation Note and Rest Values Counting and Tempo Scales, Note Alterations (Sharps, Flats, etc.) Key Signatures and Their Names Choral Notation (SATB, TTBB, SAB, etc.) Notation Symbols (Codas, Repeats, etc.) Dynamic and Tempo Symbols Basic Chord Structure Examples The book: The Church Choir Basic Music Survival Guide©1995 by Hector Bourg Jr., is 8.5" x 11", and contains 34 pages plus cover. It is printed on gloss enamel stock with a semi-gloss varnished cover. What the directors say... Dear Mr. Bourg, A fellow music director recommended that I purchase your book for each member of my parish choir. I work with the typical volunteer parish choir. They have a great spirit, but very little training. Your music handbook has made choir rehearsal more productive for me, and more important, they now believe in themselves. When I ask for a "note," or ''measure," or ask them to "start at the D.S.," or any other music expression, I am able to get it from them. I was getting so used to the traditional blank stares that now I am double-checking myself! They really enjoy catching the director with his baton down. I will be ordering more books for a "New Choir Members" summer workshop later this year. Thank you for taking the time, sharing your talent and presenting this handy guidebook with a bit of humor and nothing but accurate information. Sincerely, Walter Brown Music Director St. Jude the Apostle Church Atlanta, Ga. June 21, 2003 Dear Hector, Let me take this opportunity to tell you how invaluable your book, "The Church Choir, Basic Music Survival Guide," has been to the choir of THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD church located in Kenner, LA. These were musical illiterates in the true sense of the word but have made wonderful progress with the rudiments of music. I would recommend this book to any director who has a group of good people wishing to contribute to the liturgy and have a desire to learn some music. May you be successful in this venture. Very Best wishes, Roy M. Carubba, Ed. D. Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church Kenner, LA 
The author, Hector Bourg Jr., has been a full-time graphic designer in the Atlanta area since 1965. His avocational interests have always been music related. He has played trombone in his high school band, college band, and after graduation, a community concert band, church choir and a 19-member swing-era big band. They have each been an endless source of musical satisfaction.
He is a graduate of St. Stanislaus College High School, Bay St. Louis, MS and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is married and the father of two grown children. His wife Denise also is a choir singer of long standing and a member of several ladies barbershop choruses for most of her life. His son Tad was a member of the Atlanta Boy Choir and his daughter Erin is currently a soloist, church cantor and a member of the prestigious Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. To say music was an integral part of his life, and that of his family, would be a serious understatement! |