May the Lord Bless You this 2005!
Buy 1 CD for$10.00. Receive a 20% discount if you purchase 2 or more! A portion of the proceeds of each album sale will be given to the music department at Manhattan Christian School in Churchill, MT. Help support young musicians while enjoying a new CD.
THE HEAVENS RESOUND
There is so much wonderful music out in the world today that it is difficult to choose a favorite genre, style or artist. Yet there is something about the classic hymns of the Christian faith that etch themselves into our hearts and minds. "The Heavens Resound" attempts to capture some of the majesty and beauty of these great hymns and sacred solos that have been sung in the past and that are still being sung today.
HOW DID THIS ALBUM COME ABOUT?
Maria Schwartz and Deb Smit are musicians in their local churches. They met in Bozeman, MT in 1997 and have been friends ever since. They would frequently play together during church services (often as special music) or for weddings. After one wedding in the summer of 2002, they began discussing the idea of making an album. They began to pray that God would lead them to this opportunity, and that He would show them how the money could be provided in order to do the project. God graciously provided the financial support (in three days!) through two anonymous donors and work began on the album.
WHO ARE MARIA SCHWARTZ AND DEB SMIT?
Maria Schwartz was born and raised in the Chicago area. She studied cello at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University and received a Bachelors and Masters of Music in cello. For a number of years after graduation, Maria played cello in various local (Chicago area) groups and symphony orchestras. She also taught private lessons, on occassion judged cello competitions, gave solo recitals, and played special music in her local church. In 1988 she had the opportunity to study music in L'vov, Ukraine. In 1989 she began graduate studies in ethnomusicology and cello at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Maria and her husband, Dwight, moved from Urbana, IL to Bozeman, MT in 1997 where Dwight and Maria worked for Montana State University until 2003. Recently, Maria and Dwight moved to Baltimore, MD to work for the Graduate and Faculty Ministries of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.
Deb Smit was born and raised in Manhattan, MT (near Bozeman). She grew up on a farm and during this time took ten years of piano lessons. She began leading worship in church during high school as pianist, organist, and keyboardist. Throughout college and in the following years, Deb was involved with different musical groups, again as the pianist or keyboardist. Deb continues to lead worship in her local church and is currently involved in two other musical groups and gives private lessons. She enjoys arranging and writing music as well. Deb received a Bachelors of Social Work from Dordt College and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Nebraska. She lives with her husband, Curt, and two children, Kathryn and Benjamin, near Manhattan, MT.
WHO OR WHAT IS SEED POTATO PRODUCTIONS?
In the Manhattan, MT area, there are many potato farmers who grow potatoes for seed. Hence, the name Seed Potato Productions. We hope to use the name in order to produce other albums and to encourage and help other musicians. In order to help young musicians, a portion of the proceeds of each album sale is given to the Manhattan Christian School music department.
FUTURE PROJECTS
The current album was recorded at PEAK Recording and Sound of Bozeman, MT. The organ was recorded on location at Deb's church in Churchill, MT. We hope to use the same studio and record a Christmas album with cello, piano, keyboard, and organ and perhaps to include additional instruments like harp and flute, and voice. We are waiting on God to lead us down this path, and pray for the finances and the time to complete it.
WHAT WE HOPE THE LISTENER WILL RECEIVE FROM THIS ALBUM
Our desire is for the listener to enter into the presence of the Almighty God in worship and adoration, and in turn be edified by His life-giving Spirit. Because of this, we have included all the lyrics to the songs so that if you are not familiar with the hymns, you can read the lyrics that God inspired these people to write and for you to meditate upon. Music is such a wonderful gift from God above and it allows us to speak to God in response to all He has done for us!
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
We would be excited to hear from you! What you think about this album and if you were able to worship through it. Thank you for taking the time to support our ministry. May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Track List:
1. Open The Gates Of The Temple
2. Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
3. The Heavens Medley (The Heavens Resound/The Heavens Declare You
4. God Is My Strong Salvation
5. Meditation On A Folk Song/Gift Of Love
6. Just As I Am
7. Abide With Me/What A Friend We Have In Jesus
8. When Peace Like A River
9. The Lord's Prayer
10. Hymns: First Group (Little Brown Church In The Vale/Softly And
11. The Holy City
12. For All The Saints/By The Sea Of Crystal
13. Blest Be The Tie That Binds/The Lord Bless You And Keep You
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