CUEcast

Elaine Hagenberg is a powerful new voice in church music. Although she has only been a full-time composer for 24 months, Elaine has already blessed the world with a colorful array of elegant choral compositions. One need only to Google "O Love" to discover how powerfully her music has impacted the lives of church, high school, and collegiate choirs around the world. Elaine's style of composition leaves singers and listeners mesmerized by the beauty of her melodies, harmonies and haunting accompaniment.

Heather Sorenson is one of the bright luminaries in church music today. Creating fresh choral settings of texts ancient and contemporary, Heather's compositions seem to capture the essence of singers' emotions from the first read through. In this interview, Randy will discuss with Heather the process of creativity which enables her to resonate so powerfully with the singers for whom she writes.

YouthCUE Vice-President, Preston Edwards, turns thirty-five years old today, meaning he is now age-eligible to become President of the United States. In this special birthday interview, father (Randy) and son (Preston) discuss some of what it means to be an official, bona fide adult as recognized by the American political structure. Preston will describe the person he has been, who he is seeking to be, and the leader he hopes to become.

Mark Hayes, one of the most prolific church music composers of our generation, discusses with Randy how he approaches music composition during normal days as well as the uncertain times of COVID-19. For the past 40 years, Mark has invested his efforts full-time into creating beautiful music for churches, schools, and concert halls across the globe, writing music as varied and beautiful as it is relevant. Today, Mark gives a special look at specific anthems, including some of Mark's new music on the horizon.

Pam and Randy pick up where they left off discussing how choir directors can help their students build their own personal sanctuaries. Safe spaces are very important for all teenagers, but for some they are absolutely critical. The pandemic clamor, the relentless political mayhem, and the endless noise of life in 2020 can all combine to create chaos for adolescents. In this part of the dialogue, Pam discusses the concept YouthCUE has put forth for years—that we are in the ministry of creating soundtracks for life. This reality has perhaps never been more important than it is going forward in 2020.

In this powerful interview, James Wells, Director of Music and Director of Student Choirs at Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, tells a compelling story about taking his students inside the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago. It's a riveting narrative, and the result is blest and enriched teenagers everywhere you look. James also provides helpful insights regarding helping our students through the disappointments of postponed graduations, canceled choir tours, and the challenge of losing important milestone events and waiting for our world to find its new normal. James' ministry with his large student choirs runs deep, and this interview will provide great insights for all who tune in.

Pam Dunagan is a political science professor at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio. Having spent a number of years as a clinical counselor and also as a volunteer choir singer, Pam has a unique perspective on how choral music can contribute to the mental health of teenagers and adults alike. In this conversation, Randy and Pam will explore ways we can help teenagers construct for themselves healthy sanctuaries in the midst of a world that is noisy and recently has demanded a certain amount of isolation.

Dr. Jonathan Rodgers is Minister of Worship and Music at the Hunter Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. An excellent choral clinician as well as a model minister, Jonathan is able to handle his large student choir by high levels of organization and pastoral care for his students. That's in the normal times. What about now? In this interview, Randy will discuss with Jonathan the challenges of the pandemic and how he and his colleagues are managing to stay connected with his students through a difficult time of isolation. Be ready to think deeply and dream boldly as you take in this insightful interview.

First, Randy addresses the listeners with a special message about the protests taking place across the United States.

Emily Current Floyd has been director of music at the Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta for 12 years. She is also very active as a superb workshop clinician. Using the classic YouthCUE model of the student choir mutual fund, Emily and Randy will discuss ways to keep our choirs strong and vibrant during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Join us this week for a conversation with YouthCUE team members Tina McCartney and Edie Dutton. Conversation topics include what we have learned from more than 30 years of programming, the CUE specialty choirs which take students on journeys of growth, festivals, and the strong collaboration with YouthCUE directors.