Agapella Thots

Christmus Agapellus

2011-12-01T21:12:00.013+08:00

Agapella's apparent silence in 2011 must be deafening; barely a whisper nor whimper from us most year through. So on the first day of December 2011 and even as we countdown to Agapella's 9th Christmas season, it ought to be said that Agapella hasn't been all that silent.

You see...we've been spending some time in the studio. Need we tell you what comes out of those soundproof spaces. Yup, hang in there. We promise to make up for our relatively quieter year in the year ahead. More details in the coming months.

It'll be a low-key Christmas season this year because we've not had as much time to rehearse our Christmas repertoire due to rehearsals and recordings towards you-know-what. But we couldn't resist taking up a couple of intimate closed-door gigs with children as an audience. We know these kids are going to have a ball of a time and we're excited as well. We've also got plans to share our music with unsuspecting passersby and in places one least expects. Where we will be is anyone's guess.

Agapella's been privileged to have been invited by the Singapore Botanic Gardens to participate in decorating a tropical tree as part of the much-anticipated Trees of the World Light-Up. This event which will officially launched this Sat, 3 Dec 2011 will last till 1 Jan 2012. It's your chance to walk through the beautiful gardens and soak in a spectacle of tropical trees lining the footpaths. These trees are adorned with an array of ornaments decorated by various organisations and groups and will be lit up from this Saturday. If you're heading down, be sure to bring your camera and videocams!

Here's a sneak peek of the 'Christmus Agapellus' with the decor team comprising Brenda, Namiko, Uma, Dorcas, Dan, Ernest and Stanley with contributions and prayers by our other members.

More photos and updates on Agapella's Facebook page.

A fascinating blog: The Persistence of Song

2011-08-23T17:24:00.001+08:00

http://thepersistenceofsong.wordpress.com

About this blog:

For every melody we encounter, worldview is singing alto. And too often, we ignore this accompaniment; instead, we prefer to demarcate our music morally, placing song x in the category “Christian” and song y in the category “secular.”

When we encounter music, we need to decipher and diagnose the worldview. What aspects of the worldview are helpful and edifying? What aspects of the worldview do we disagree with, and why do we find these aspects disagreeable?

The Persistence of Song is a venue for this inspection of worldviews. I aim to foster dialogue on (ir)religious music. You’ll find me writing often about explicitly religious music, very often critiquing “contemporary Christian music.” But I’m also very interested in how other musicians, not necessarily affiliated with this market, make religious expressions (sometimes quite unknowingly).

Our times call for careful Christian thinking and conversation on a host of issues. The Persistence of Song seeks to fulfill that niche for the art form of song.

- Jason Adkins

Learning to Sing Sea Water

2011-05-16T11:32:00.000+08:00

Written by Douglas Wilson
Saturday, May 14, 2011 6:54 am
Posted on his blog http://www.dougwils.com/

One of the things we should notice in Scripture is the close association of the music of the people of God and the nations of men. There is a regular appeal, throughout Scripture, asking the nations to hear us when we sing.

The music of the saints, rightly done, is universal and evangelistic. The music of the saints, wrongly done, becomes “church music,” set off in a ghetto of its own—perhaps to be respected and perhaps despised, but always isolated. Many a country singer claims to have roots in “gospel,” over there, but There are musical similarities, to be sure, but we are careful to maintain genre walls.

If our music is not having an effect upon the nations, we cannot change it by tinkering with the notes, or finding better songs. Rather, we need to sing to God, with overflowing hearts, and with a true and living faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if we do, the music will do what only the Spirit of God can do with it. If we do not have faith in the gospel, and I mean of course vibrant faith, then the better the music gets, the more we will sound like trained professionals.

There is a difference between efficiency and blessing. One man with five talents blessed is going to be more potent than a man with one talent unblessed, or ten talents unblessed, for that matter. Our business, in the first instance, therefore, is to seek for the blessing. Talent is not enough. Training is not enough. Learning the songs is not enough. As we have undertaken the task of musical reformation in our church, all we have been doing is assembling materials on the altar, in the earnest expectation that God will cause the fire to come down. Some of the more difficult songs we have learned are the sea water that Elijah poured out on the altar. Without the fire, it doesn’t matter. And when the fire falls, in a completely different kind of way, it doesn’t matter either.

*

AGAPELLA supports UNSHAKEABLE!

2011-04-11T09:37:00.005+08:00

Singapore Red Cross for Japan tsunami relief

Love and prayers needed for the people of Japan

Just Sing

2011-03-01T10:00:00.000+08:00

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.

The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Then the labor pains come. Every five minutes... every minute. But complications arise during delivery. After hours of labor a C-section is required. Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby -- now they plan a funeral.

Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says.

Week two: Still in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed in ICU." The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"

Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray..."

Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady. Keep on singing, Michael.

"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away..."

The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr. Keep on singing, Michael.

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..."

Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her. Keep on singing, Michael.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."

Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows. Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day - the very next day - the little girl is well enough to go home! Woman's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

A few weeks later, Michael's little sister was baptized at the Panther Creek Church. If you were planning that service, what song would you select? Who would you have sing it? Would you ask the congregation to sing along?

I talked to Tennessee Pastor G. Steve Sallee, who first shared the story with Leonard Sweet, who published an abbreviated version of it in Homiletics. Pastor Sallee said that when Sweet told the story at the Lake Junaluska conference center, a woman jumped up from the congregation, ran to the podium, and interrupted the sermon. "It's true," the woman cried out. "And those were my grandchildren. And I want to praise God for the miracle of love." The shekinah (the presence of God in the world) of heaven fell. The order of service was destroyed. The whole congregation was hugging, weeping, and praising God as they sang together "You Are My Sunshine."

The Holy Spirit turned that old love song from the Charleston flappers era into a hymn of praise too deep for words.

In this sad world, people all around us lie dying from depression, from criticism, from failure, from sin. If you have a song, won't you please sing it.

In your community there are people who are in despair, people who just can't find the wherewithal to try again. If you have a song won't you please sing it?

In your church, in your family, there are people for whom hope is as dim as a flashlight left on all night. Don't you know someone who hasn't been serenaded with a love song in 20 years? If all you have is an old love song from the '20s, if that's all in the world you have, won't you please sing it?

The Bible says, "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21,NIV). So, if you have a song, won't you sing it? The Bible says, "The tongue of the just is as choice silver" (Proverbs 10:20). So if you have a song, won't you please sing, it? "But I don't have much of a voice," you say. Well, I don't mean that you have to literally, blurt out an old love song like "You Are My Sunshine" or "Love Me Tender." Your God-given song may be a yard mowed, showing up at the nursing home with a bunch of wildflowers, baking a batch of brownies, or sending a check so a college student can come home for Christmas. Your best tune, the best life-giving music you will ever make, may sound like a long overdue apology, a generous helping of forgiveness, a $100 bill given to a stranger, volunteer work at the Salvation Army, or a Christmas card to one who was sure you had forgotten him or her long ago.

If you have a song, won't you please sing it? If all you can do is hum, whistle, or belt out an, old love song from the flappers generation, maybe, just maybe, God can transform it into a hymn clothed in the shekinah of His love.

Sacred Harp singing

2011-02-21T23:32:00.002+08:00

Sacred Harp singing is much more than an interesting repertoire of early American three and four part a cappella folk music. It is a living tradition that treads an unbroken path prior to the Civil War and whose music can be directly traced as a distinct musical thread back beyond the American Revolution, through to rural England, back to Reformation psalmody and beyond to Renaissance polyphony.

In the JOY of the Lord we are strong!

2011-02-02T10:10:00.002+08:00

Here's a worthy reminder from Charles Spurgeon, England's best known preacher for the second half of the 19th century. Still rings true today for all of us who are in ministry.

"Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving Him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looks at the heart, and if He sees that we serve Him from force, and not because we love Him, He will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong."

Bob Kauflin reflects...

2011-01-07T10:04:00.003+08:00

AGAPELLA's been inspired by many musicians, and in our repertoire are some songs by that marvellous vocal band GLAD. One of their original members is Bob Kauflin, a gifted songwriter and worship leader. He has a blog WORSHIP MATTERS in which he often posts his thoughts on music and worship. A couple of days ago he shared his reflections on turning 55, and on his mission and ministry. Powerful stuff!
Read it here:-
http://www.worshipmatters.com/2010/01/07/reflections-on-turning-55/

Greeting 2011

2010-12-31T15:12:00.002+08:00

A Christmas Parable

2010-12-15T00:29:00.001+08:00

“ONCE UPON A TIME there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn’t believe all that stuff about Incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did. “I am truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. “But I simply cannot understand this claim that God becomes man. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

On Christmas Eve his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them. “I’d feel like a hypocrite,” he explained. “I’d rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you.”

Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. “If we must have Christmas,” he thought, “it’s nice to have a white one.” He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another.

He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his livingroom window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the storm. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through his window. “I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,” he thought. “But how can I help them?” Then he remembered the barn where the children’s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter.

He put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in. “Food will lure them in,” he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - except into the warm lighted barn.

“They find me a strange and terrifying creature,” he said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety. . . .”

Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silent for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I do understand,” he whispered. “Now I see why You had to do it.” ”

- written by Louis Cassels

Agapella Strikes Jackpot at RWS!

2010-12-06T20:30:00.005+08:00

Agapella takes on the fruit machines this Christmas!

It'll be a different sort of ringing as far as we're concerned, and unlike those one arm bandits, you're guaranteed a win with us and the carols of Christmas!

Spread the word about our ring-a-ling-a-ling at RWS this December!

These 2 pics taken at the 14 Dec gig @ RWS...

And these were taken at the 21 Dec gig:

Agapella@Christmas@Katong!

2010-12-02T22:49:00.002+08:00

Come celebrate with us!7.30PM, Christmas Eve 2010
FREE ADMISSION!

Qui cantat, bis orat

2010-09-13T16:22:00.003+08:00

Whoever sings prays twice–some thoughts on music and prayer

by Pamela Dolan
14 August 2010

Have you ever been busy with some activity, unaware that you were doing anything other than the thing itself, only to have someone point out to you that you were also humming–probably the same tune over and over? Happens to me all the time. I used to work in a bookstore, and inventory time was always prime humming season for me. There’s just something about repetitive activity that turns me into a music-making machine... Read the whole article

Big apple & a speckled egg

2010-08-16T13:10:00.004+08:00

AGAPELLA doesn't know how to spell "goodbye"!

We had a send-off last weekend for our beloved soprano Lily Ng, who is taking a leave of absence to pursue further studies in NYC. Lily last performed with us at the "What Really Matters" seminar this past Saturday, an outreach event for young people organised by the Centre For Fathering, at which Heartbeat's Mike Cope and Landon Saunders were the speakers.

We will miss Lily's gentle and prayerful presence as well as her precious contribution to Agapella. But it's "farewell for a while", and not "goodbye"!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (II Corinthians 13:14)

A cappella on internet radio!

2010-07-20T16:58:00.002+08:00

In case you are feeling starved for awesome, uplifting a cappella music, why not check out one of our fave internet radio websites at Acappella.org. Just click on the banner above and it will take you there!

AGAPELLA @ What Really Matters, 14 August 2010

2010-07-20T16:24:00.003+08:00

Email whatreallymattersSG@gmail or call 8251 6494
for tickets before they are all gone!

Post show pics:

Moving on to greener pastures

2010-04-21T11:42:00.006+08:00

Last Sunday, Agapella bid a (week early) fond farewell to one of our members, Don Buo, who was one of the members to join Agapella after September 2009 auditions. The Filipino tenor is returning to his homeland, the Philippines, to serve in ministry there.

Don has been a wonderful, spiritual member from the get-go, and has blessed Agapella greatly with his vocals and cheerful attitude. And who can forget the number of times we've seen him with earphones plugged in, dilligently memorising his songs? Don has lent his vocals to one of Agapella's newest songs, Who Am I, originally sung by the Christian group Casting Crowns. This song, among others, has blessed many people in Agapella's latest performance for the St. Andrews' Autism Fundraising at the Shangri-La Island Ballroom that was held on Friday, 16 April.

Don will leave us on the 1st of May, but until then, we cherish every moment with a dear brother that has richly blest us throughout this season. No matter whether for a season or for seasons, God always brings people to bring out the best in us. We will miss you Don, but we wish you all the best, and not "goodbye" but "until next time"!

AGAPELLA@Cherith Baptist Church

2010-04-02T23:35:00.007+08:00

Agapella is honoured to have been invited to perform at Cherith Baptist Church (89 Serangoon Garden Way) for this year's Good Friday.

This year, in line with the theme of the service, "The Day God Died", Agapella rendered breathtaking performances of both crowd-pleasers like Amazing Love, When God Ran and We Are the Reason (sans 'silent night'), as well as the heart-wrenching Via Dolorosa and Who Am I. In addition, this performance also showcased our very own sound engineer, Daniel Loh, in his debut number with Who Am I, singing a duet alongside Aaron. We are indeed blessed with multitalents!

This being our first time performing the song Who Am I, popularised by the Christian band Casting Crowns, we were apprehensive about singing it. This was not alleviated by the fact that our original soloist, Don, had fallen ill and was unable to perform at Cherith Baptist. However, after much tweaking and human relations (persuading's not an easy task!), we managed to get Daniel Loh to step up to the plate. All glory to God for His provision and guidance!

Following Agapella's performance, there was a sermon preached by speaker Rev. Lam, who shared about how Jesus came to die upon the cross, and of His love for us. The sermon left many of us touched by the extent of God's love for us, that He would allow His only begotten Son to die a sinner's death to give us a righteous man's life. We ended off the service with the song Now Unto Him, as a final closure to this year's Good Friday.

Following today's successful performance, we look forward to many more opportunities to showcase God's glory and love to all of you again! Agapella wishes you a happy Easter, and a heartfelt God Bless.

Pocky Index Status: 111

2010-03-16T11:00:00.002+08:00

We have not blogged about our Pocky intake for a good long while - over a year! - so here's the skinny - literally, as the most recent pockynoshing has been on hosogiri (thin-cut) Pretz:

Hosogiri Apple Pretz
Hosogiri Cheddar Cheese Pretz
Hosogiri Tomato Pretz
Marble Pocky Chocolat Framboise
Marble Pocky Mix Berry
Kiwifruit Pocky
Purple Sweet Potato Pretz
Apple Yoghurt Tsubu-Tsubu Pocky

Hurry up and get over here, limited edition Spring Flavours!

A Retreat for His Advancement

2010-02-28T22:34:00.014+08:00

The previous two retreats were in Bintan and Cameron Highlands. This year, we decided we'd do a 'staycation' and packed off to the northeast corner of Singapore, making Changi Village Hotel home for 3 days. The retreat was intended to concretise the vision and plans for Agapella in 2010 upon seeking God's direction.

Just before check-out today, the retreat wrapped with a 'vocal masterclass' by Marianne. Praise God the retreat turned out to be smooth, relaxing and purposeful. It began on Friday with really catching up on one another's lives and learning what lay ahead for each member in their individual lives. The open and warm sharing was truly testament that God had planned for each member to be accountable to the other in upholding one another in prayer. It was simply good to be altogether again after our last gig early last month. There was just so much catching up to do!

It was good to blend our voices again in worship, in refreshing ourselves physically and spiritually and revising some of our repertoire. That's not to say Agapelleans don't know how to have fun...

...and lots of food to go around!

Though exciting plans await Agapella in 2010, sorry to say that some of these are under wraps, but we'll be sure to announce breaking news at a more appropriate time. But of more immediate attention, Agapella will be busy shaping up for Easter.

If you'd like to enquire about having Agapella be part of your event, please do not hesitate to email us.

But we know that God's been there even before Agapella gets to the milestones of 2010. As surely as the sun rises from the east and sets in the west, we know our God is faithful and whose name will be praised from the rising of the sun to the going down.

Agapella @ AKA A Cappella VI

2010-01-09T11:32:00.019+08:00

Agapella had a blast last night as the opening act for AKA A Cappella VI. After an 8-year hiatus, we, Singapore's largest Christian a cappella group (and the only such registered group here) were privileged to open the revived concert.

It was most apt a Christian group opened the concert since a cappella music has its roots in the chapel. The evening was also Agapella's first time sharing a concert stage with other a cappella groups. We were naturally thrilled with the opportunity.

Needless to say, we were in it to glorify God and got our hearts and our physical selves prepared for the spotlight. Decking ourselves inside out, we got costumes, make-up (tks Nam), bottled water (tks moo-moos), manuka honey (tks Aaronam) and muffins (tks Chris). Nam and her excellent craftsmanship got all the gals sparkling with glitter, and smokin' hot with rocker-chick black eye shadow, mascara and stick-on eye lashes! The dudes? Well, let's say the dudes were just 'matted' up. Jam however blew us away with a 4-stage hairstyling process, with the help of a hair dryer that had a volumiser function! Cool! Need one too!

Agapella rendered the following pieces at the concert: Pachebel's "Canon In D", Avalon's "Testify to Love", "Follow That Star" and "I Will Follow Him".

The finale saw Brenda representing Agapella and teaming up with one rep each from the other performing a cappella groups for an original composition by Vocaluptuous' John Lee entitled, Harmony. All praise to Him for the opportunity to testify for Him at Victoria Theatre at AKA A Cappella VI!

What a start to 2010!

(More photos from AKA A Cappella VI soon! Do revisit!)

There's a Song in the Air!

2009-12-30T22:22:00.007+08:00

A year ago on New Year's eve, Agapella still hadn't thought out how 2009 would be. In fact, this year had been one that we set forth into with little direction, vague ideas and much anxiety - not a very safe place to begin. Agapella began the year without a musical director and very quickly, God moved a couple of fearless females to step up because He'd given them musical training and a keener grasp of music in general. Where gaps started to show, other members would step in and plug it. God was the glue of the group, not any one member.

Agapella Reflections on 2009:
- Only God knew we'd stage two sold-out evenings of concerts in July at the NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre! (above)
- Only He foresaw we'd have five more members by year's end.
- No one but Him would have paved the way for us to carol in the Singapore Botanic Gardens the weekend before Christmas.
- It was also this same God who tested our faith when the clouds rolled in that weekend and perfectly timed them to blow over the lawns in front of the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage when it was 'show' time.

What a mighty God we serve and sing of! All glory to Him!

On the eve of another year, we have some hazy ideas, we have some things on the 'to do' list, but we're not going to fret because we can plan all we can, but God is ultimately in the director's chair and calling the shots. We're not sitting idle for we know the guy up there ain't!

There's much to be done in 2010 and we pray God will allow us more opportunities to touch many more lives, the way He has these last 7 years.

When you have a God Who's such an awesome God, there's always a song in the air!

May God grant you a harmonious New Year!
~ love from all @ AGAPELLA

Christ was Love

2009-12-25T03:10:00.002+08:00

This December, I vow to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I will have to cut back on nonessential obligations, extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. I do not want to find myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, is in kindergarten this year. It is an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he has been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Program.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of his show. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I arrived 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas”. I didn’t expect anything other than fun songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son’s class rose to sing, Christmas Love”, I was slightly taken back by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, all adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row, center stage, held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas”, a child would hold up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy”, and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,
“Christmas Love”.

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her, a small quiet girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down, totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”. The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high,
the message read loud and clear:

“CHRIST WAS LOVE”.

And, I believe, He still is…….

By Candy Chand

The Christmas Bell

2009-12-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

Santa's Secret Wish

2009-12-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes,
Looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise,
And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."
He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear,
"How do you do it, year after year?

"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.
How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys
You have plenty for all of the world's girls and boys?
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?"
But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"
He told the small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder, and wise.

"The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.
Some homes are broken, and children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?

"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives, toys aren't enough.
So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And pray with them that they'll be given the joy
Of the sprit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.

If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there
Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.
It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some and to give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed.
For God has a way of meeting each need.

"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.
In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could ever give away.
The sack never empties of love, or of joys
'Cause inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.

"And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you.
It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the center of lights, and of love. It's your heart.
And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with the gifts 'neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," Said Santa, "don't go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered
"I will"

Launching into Christmas 2009

2009-12-13T14:17:00.006+08:00

It's the seventh Christmas for Agapella, but for five members this weekend, it marks their inaugural Christmas season with our group.

We kicked into full gear this Christmas season at Bethesda Serangoon church yesterday evening with half an hour of carols that we shared with a gathering of close to two hundred. The graciousness displayed by members of the church was palpable, warmingd our hearts and voices.

Seated at the back of the hall on the second floor of the family church, Daniel (Loke) leaned over and in a hushed tone amidst the backdrop of carols in the background, said it finally felt like Christmas. To which I replied, "Yes, all the lights in Orchard Road don't quite give you that same spirit of Christmas".

Regardless of whether you've been celebrating the Christ of Christmas many years over or for the first time this year, we pray you'll see things with a fresh perspective, and I won't be surprised it'll be a 180-degree turn from how you've always viewed the season.

Alas, a Saviour has been born!

Agapella Goes Green @ the Botanics This Christmas!

2009-11-11T12:28:00.005+08:00

Don't miss Agapella's Christmas Concert at the
Singapore Botanic Gardens this December!

Roll out your picnic mat and get the picnic basket ready as you soak in the carols of Christmas at sunset on the lawns fronting the
Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage!

Lift every voice and sing

2009-11-04T10:11:00.001+08:00

One of Agapella's newest members is from the Church of Christ tradition, where worship is conducted a cappella. What a privilege for our minsitry to be blessed with this new dimension! This also nudged me to research various perspectives on worship. The article I found below is interesting and instructive...

The Ascending Voice 2007, a four-day international symposium of sacred a cappella music touted by organizers as the first-ever international gathering focused on the study, celebration and performance of a cappella worship music — drew an estimated 400 to 500 scholars, theologians, musicologists and singers.

The program mixed scholarly presentations on topics such as “A Comparison of Singing Among Crow and Cheyenne Indian Christians of Montana and Euro-American Mennonites of Indiana” with more practical sessions with themes such as “A Hymn of Praise, a Joyful Noise or the Song of Fools? Evaluating Contemporary Christian Hymns from a Musical Standpoint.”

Performances ranged from Gregorian chant and classic hymns to shape-note harmony and contemporary gospel. Singing groups from Pepperdine, Harding and Lipscomb universities — all associated with Churches of Christ — joined a Spanish-speaking choir from Medellin, Columbia, in performing hymns newly written for a cappella congregational singing.

“As far as I know, no one has ever assembled Christians of such diverse backgrounds before,” said Frederica Matthewes-Green, an author and speaker who is the “Khouria,” or spiritual mother, of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Baltimore. “It was exhilarating to meet with other believers and worship in song in so many varying styles.”

For Denny Kruse, a member of the Rocketdyne Road Church of Christ in Neosho, Mo., the symposium provided an emotional reminder of why a cappella singing has survived 2,000-plus years of church history.

“In a time when some in our fellowship seem to be running from our tradition of congregational a cappella singing, the Pepperdine symposium embraced it as our strength and warmed our hearts in powerful ways through scholarly presentations and especially the singing itself,” Kruse said. “I, for one, am hoping to take a glowing ember home with me and rekindle a passion for the beauty and power of a cappella singing in our area congregations.”

The symposium represented the brainchild of Darryl Tippens, provost of Pepperdine and a lifelong Church of Christ member.

Tippens grew up in southwestern Oklahoma among Mennonites who sang, like he did, without instruments.

Through his personal experience and reading about other Christian groups, Tippens knew Churches of Christ were far from alone in the use of a cappella music.

“So, the idea began to form in me,” he said. “What if we heard from one another?”

Tippens, with help from Pepperdine music professor N. Lincoln Hanks, endeavored to bring together groups that use no instruments, along with others that maintain a cappella services, even if the groups are not exclusively noninstrumental.

“It’s not a tiny little group in one corner of the world that has this idea,” Tippens said of a cappella singing. ‘It’s a worldwide phenomenon.”

'BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL’ WAY OF SINGING

Before the symposium, 20-year-old Karen Mannino of Spokane, Wash., had no idea that some Christians believe in a cappella singing only.

Mannino performed at the symposium with the Gonzaga University Gregorian Schola, an ensemble whose members sing chant and Renaissance polyphony at the Catholic university’s weekly Gregorian chant Mass.

She said she left the symposium with “a renewed love for the simple songs of prayer and praise that speak, in their very simplicity, to the deepest levels of our souls.”

“I’m a violinist as well as a singer so I can never put an exclusive value on a cappella as the only music suitable for worship,” she said. “But there is something very special and powerful about the unaccompanied human voice lifted up to God. I would like to celebrate that kind of worship.”
Tippens said he hoped the symposium would inspire churches to look at congregational singing with fresh eyes.

“I think we have too long emphasized the fact that everyone else is doing church music wrong,” he said. “We have said far too little on what’s right — beautiful, powerful and spiritually formative — about a cappella singing.”

From The Christian Chronicle

The Ant and the Contact Lens

2009-10-15T20:13:00.005+08:00

This is a true story (that has nothing to do with me even though the person mentioned bears my name), that talks about how no matter what you come across, no matter how pointless or useless it may be, you have to just persevere and believe in our great God to use us greatly in His wider picture.

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."

She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

...and there was TWENTY!

2009-10-05T12:23:00.011+08:00

Agapella just got a shot in the arm!

We're not talking vaccinations, but a boost of a different sort. Most evidently, we've grown numerically from just over a dozen to 20 members. After a month of prayer and seeking the Lord's direction, Agapella decided to expand, roping in 7 new vocalists (Brenda, Daniel Loke, Don, Grace, Josiah, Lily and Nina) and a new sound engineer, Daniel Loh. Look and listen out for the new faces and voices of Agapella later this year.

With the significant increase in size and the biggest single intake, it necessitated a bigger rehearsal space. Agapella is amazed and grateful how God provides in His perfect timing when the need arises. Even though we didn't think of the repercussions of growing the size of the group (where we'd rehearse), God thought of it for us and directed Aaron to the 'promised land'. He added to our numbers, He's led us to a space we could use, and we know He'll continue to lead us along, despite how sharp and blind those corners may be.

We're all excited about how God will shape the future of Agapella and continue to use Agapella to proclaim His name. May the music He gives us to sing be our passport to reaching out to the lost and searching.

The Reason We Sing!

2009-09-12T14:53:00.006+08:00

Click on the pic or this link to see a clip of Agapella singing this song at our recent concert!

And read the CreateLeVoyage review of our concert here!

AUDITIONS in SEPTEMBER 2009!

2009-08-05T00:09:00.020+08:00

Agapella is seeking to EXPAND and it's got nothing to do with overdosing on Pockys! (Glico should really sponsor our shows the fact that we're giving them so many free plugs in and out of concert halls!)

We'll be holding auditions through the month of September.

Agapella is essentially a Christian ministry with a vision in outreach and a heart for evangelism through music and the creative Arts. If you share our purpose, have singing experience and feel you'd like to be part of Agapella, we want to hear from YOU!

Just drop us at email at agapella(at)gmail(dot)com and tell us:
(i) The vocal part that you sing
(ii) Your past and present singing experience

We look forward to hearing from you by Fri, 14th Aug 2009. And once we do, we'll buzz you to let you know when we'll be seeing you.

Auditions will likely be held on a Sunday afternoon (between 3pm and 7pm), which is typically when Agapella meets for rehearsals.

Hear from you soon! Oh and tell your musically-gifted friends about this!!!

We need more wonderful people in the group to fill up the seats!

Oh and if you didn't know, Agapella's on Facebook! Join us as a member today!

we want to thank...

2009-07-12T22:14:00.002+08:00

nobody nobody but CHU!!! for coming to our 7th birthday concerts, yaaayyyy!!!!

Sneak Peeks

2009-07-07T14:30:00.020+08:00

It's all systems go when curtains rise in three days. Things are nicely falling in place. Needless to say, we're thrilled our concert sold out more than two weeks ahead of opening night. So if you have SEVEN @ 8 concert tickets in hand, you can actually make a quick buck by selling it on the black market. But why would you want to miss out on a spectacular musical fiesta?! Plus we're pulling out all the stops to make your evening at the theatre a thoroughly enjoyable one.

We understand many of you weren't able to get tickets. A painful lesson for leaving it too late huh? But we still love you and your plans to come. Next time, don't procrastinate. ;o)

So here we are getting suited up, we've gotten our bling bling and heels and we're about good to go.

Here are some 'partially exposed' photos of members of Agapella and what they'll be decked up in for the concert. Total exposure this Friday & Saturday!

Looking forward to seeing you soon at the concert!

Agapella's gonna get bigger!

2009-06-30T17:22:00.001+08:00

As you know, Agapella is a ministry. Our heart is to share God's truth and love whereever we go… and a cappella music is a great way of doing that!

We’ve been so blessed by your encouragement, support, prayers and partnership over the past 7 years. We now want to invite you to consider joining Agapella as we expand the ministry and go to new places, meet new people, sing new songs and do new things!

If the Lord is leading you to consider a cappella ministry with us, we want to hear from you! (And if you still have no idea what we do, come hear and meet us at our anniversary concert on 10, 11 July). And send us an email too: agapella(at)gmail(dot)com. We’re excited to see where God is leading us next!

So You Think WE Can Dance?

2009-06-26T22:44:00.007+08:00

Dance can cause instant paralysis...especially if you've never been comfortable with body movements and physical expressions beyond a smile and a wave. But come July and for two nights only, you bet Agapella will be putting her best feet forward.

"Errr...left or right first ah?"

Thanks to Namiko and Jameson, the group's been learning steps that would make the amateur dancer giddy, muddled and begging for a foot reflexology. But we just want to thank God for the 'movers' among us who get us jiggin' and jivin'. We truly have our work cut out for us, and we ain't talkin' about just singin' anymore!

"Anyone has a plaster for my blister?!"

With a little bit more coaching and a whole lot more prayer, this traditionally 'non-dancy' group will be showing you some slick moves you've never before seen in past Agapella gigs.

"So YOU think WE can dance?"

Come find out on the footloose nights of 10th & 11th July at "SEVEN @ 8"!

Agapella On The Airwaves!

2009-06-23T13:39:00.009+08:00

Thanks for tracking Agapella's progress as SEVEN@8 comes into view...just over 2 weeks away! The all important question: "Have you gotten your tickets?!" We'd ask you that question even if tickets weren't moving, but in this instance, we're asking you the question because THEY ARE and we still want you to get decent seats.

Waste no more time; click on SISTIC (hyperlinked here for your convenience) to book your seats now!

CATCH AGAPELLA ON RADIO THIS WEEK!

938LIVE >>> Thursday, 25th June, 10.45am - 11am in "The Living Room", hosted by Pamela Ho. (Repeat b'cast from 10.40pm - 11pm that same evening)

Gold 90FM >>> Friday, 26th June, between 7pm & 7.30pm on "The HomeStretch" hosted by Denise Tan and Tim Oh.

You might also have heard mention of our concert on Symphony 92.4FM.

Here's a photo taken during our recording with Gold 90FM over the past weekend.

The Countdown to "SEVEN@8"

2009-06-15T20:22:00.030+08:00

Agapella is in the thick of things with rehearsals doubled. Everyone's just excited about staging one BIG show next month (10th & 11th July) and we really want you to enjoy the music God's enabled us to make. Bought your tickets yet? Good seats going fast! The planning phase has given way to execution.

Just for the record and so you know we haven't been sitting on our bums and twiddling our fingers, here are some shots from our site visit to the Lee Foundation Theatre at NAFA and our first technical meeting over Indonesian fare. Who says we can't work over food?!

Publicity is also in full swing.
Here're some avenues that have plugged our gig for us:
- TODAY
- TimeOut Singapore
- The A Cappella Society
- A Cappella SOUNDS
- CreateleVoyage
- Symphony 92.4FM
Akan Datang:
- Channel NewsAsia
- Gold 90FM

AGAPELLA Presents..."SEVEN @ 8"

2009-05-25T21:20:00.007+08:00

Agapella's Youtube video of its rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D has been viewed more than 20,000 times and has attracted rave reviews from around the world for its smooth blend of harmonies. Yet the home grown contemporary a cappella group has never performed the song in public... until now. Be among the first to hear them perform this song and many other contemporary numbers spanning a plethora of genres, all this in a two-night only musical fiesta on 10th & 11th July 2009!

In celebration of their 7th anniversary, Agapella presents their biggest concert yet, Seven @ 8. The group will serve up fan favourites like "I Will Follow Him" (popularised by the movie, Sister Act) and "Testify To Love", on top of brand new arrangements. Among the new numbers, don't miss the re-written lyrics to the tune of the classic "Good 'Ol A Cappella". The concert will be a delight for the entire family with Agapella's own unique brand of music and tight harmonies, together with a zany dash of theatre for a toe-tappin' good time!

Agapella's debut album, "Follow That Star" was released in 2007 to much acclaim. The album will be made available for sale at the concert. Don't forget to stick around for the post-concert refreshments (included in the ticket price) and hang out with the members of Singapore's coolest vocal band!

Agapella presents... Seven @ 8: the birthday concert
10th & 11th July 2009 (Fri & Sat), 8pm
NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre
NAFA Campus 3
151, Bencoolen Street
Tickets at * $7 (excluding ticketing fee), on sale now at all SISTIC ticketing outlets,
online at http://www.sistic.com/ or call the ticketing hotline at 6348-5555.
* Every 5 tickets purchased in a single receipt will be entitled a complimentary copy of the album, “Follow That Star”. Please present receipt at the door on the evening of the performance for redemption.

Gig-Hunting Season's Started!

2009-03-26T22:04:00.008+08:00

A note was blown and Agapella was off! Our 2009 season has officially begun!

We were invited to perform to a gathering of about 300 at the
Focus on The Family partnership dinner at the Meritus Mandarin ballroom last week.
More than just being the kickstarter for the year, it was a first in many other ways:
(i) we had a new pitch or the person who blows our starting note on the pitch pipe
(ii) we didn't have our regular sound engineer with us
(iii) we were doing songs with the absence of two former rock-solid members
(Sherm & Ave, we miss you lots - as if they didn't know!)

But thank God for His grace and sustenance. We pulled it off only because it was a gig we had entrusted Him on high to pull us through. There will be many more such moments for us to tap on His grace so we may bless those whom He'll bring us to cross paths with this year.

Agapella's next gig will be happening during Passion Week at a local church
in the southwest of the island.

Visit our homepage for more details!

2009...Here We Come!

2009-02-24T22:52:00.012+08:00

God continues to show His grace, mercy and faithfulness to Agapella year in and year out. And last year was no different. We can't say we were without our rocky moments. We only know what balms and plasters are about and what healing and protective properties they have when we get bumps, bruises and open wounds. Likewise, we witnessed God's power and reassuring guidance that He'd carry Agapella through.

So we're safely through 2008 and into 2009. Pardon us for how sloppy we've been in posting our first entry of 2009 on our blog. You see...there've been some issues we'd been praying about ironing out and it's slowly coming together. The group's undergone a little bit of a re-organisation with the departure of two of our members whom we'll miss dearly (we're not ruling out their return to the group some day, God willing). That means some 'switcheroos' to cover the gaps in our music pieces.

We know it'll be another exciting year because God allows for us to continue in His service, and we know He still has work for us for His kingdom's sake. Work's begun in ernest to add new songs to our repertoire. We're also working on our website to freshen her up. So it's makeover left, right and centre!

Where gigs are concered, we're gearing up for our first gig of 2009 next month at an NGO's fund-raising dinner. Following close behind would be a presentation during Passion week at a church that's invited us. We're also firming up a concert for youth scheduled for August. So things are taking shape as God opens more doors for us.

And even as we commit the new year to Him and have Him lead us by the hand, Agapella was mindful of God's grace through the year past, gathering for a thanksgiving dinner over seafood and desserts. Here are some photos for the record.

More Pictorial Goodness

2008-12-31T15:50:00.009+08:00

Sherman, feelin' it: Shih-Huei, having a private chuckle; Aaron, wondering who coiled the mike cable so haphazardly.

Meeting of the Agababies! Is Caitlyn asking Ezzie for a dance?

los tres tenors.

The div(a)erse faces of Amanda!

Who what when where why?

Do The Agapella Dance!

2008-12-29T17:26:00.008+08:00

Come on everybody, get down with the groove!

Join with Agapella as we bust out a move!

Snap your funky fingers and step to the beat!

But be careful because you don't want to trip and fracture something, as that could be quite unpleasant.

First you swing it to the left:

Then you swing it to the right:

Then you take a little nap:

And you toss and turn at night:

Then you sway it round the bend:

And you sway it back again!

Then you look down at the ground cos giddy oredi.

Pictorial goodness from the Esplanade, 2008

2008-12-29T16:53:00.008+08:00

Hey there everybody, here are some fabulous photos from our Esplanade gigs this year! Courtesy of Wilson, our official pastor/ phototaker/ board games supplier. :-)

Agapellumna TIna rejoined us for the Christmas season!

Stan likes to point at things.

Dorcas sings with hou tor fee ling.

"Wait a second - that wasn't a camel! That was Nam!"

Christmas Blessings to all our Agapellafrens!

2008-12-23T22:39:00.002+08:00

Stained glass in a church
Jerusalem, 22 November 2008

Agapella @ The Esplanade on 18th & 19th Dec

2008-12-17T18:26:00.002+08:00

Akan Datang @ the Durian

2008-12-14T16:37:00.007+08:00

Agapella can't wait to make music again in the hallways of the Esplanade. Catch us this week!
Thurs & Fri, 18th & 19th Dec,
7.15pm & 8.15pm
Esplanade Concourse

Let us transport you to the heart of Christmas with carols. The flyer's just about ready. Watch this space!

Meantime, how about joining Agapella on Facebook and invite your friends to Agapella's event at the Esplanade this week?!

And while you're spreading the word about our gigs, we're laying the cables, rigging up the lights and getting the sound board ready. And after much prayer and months of practice, it's time to sing Noel!

Esplanade....here we come!!! See you soon!

Oh and our Christmas album Follow That Star will be selling at a steal of just $10 per copy at our gigs! We know the economy isn't doing great, so it's your chance to pounce on the offer.

If you're one of the few people on planet earth who hasn't yet got our Christmas album "Follow That Star"...

2008-12-10T22:42:00.007+08:00

Here's a glowing review of the album in this month's Solid Rock magazine, published by New Creation Church. Thank you Pastor Gabriel; we're so glad you enjoyed the music! Thanks also to our Agapellafren Annabelle. Jesus is the reason for the season!

2008 Christmas Season Kick-off!

2008-12-10T22:35:00.002+08:00

We kicked off this year's Christmas season last weekend with a gig at the NUSS Guild House at Kent Ridge. Did you like how we did "The Little Drummer Boy", marching band actions and all? Bring your friends and family for the unique Agapella Christmas experience at the Esplanade in a weeks' time-- more details on our website! We're getting in the mood!

Averil's mini-album of worship songs!

2008-12-04T23:11:00.000+08:00

http://averilleong.blogspot.com

Christmas Season's Here!!!

2008-11-15T23:19:00.002+08:00

They say recession's here, but tonight, Agapella officially ushered Christmas 2008 with our participation in the Light-Up Ceremony of Orchard Road. It marked our first Christmas gig of 2008 with a string of others to follow. Do check out our gig calendar on our website for our other gigs, including two evening at the Esplanade Concourse, of which has been our regular haunt this time of the year for the last few years.

Tonight also marked the first time we unleashed a brand new version of 'Joy To The World' and our debut of 'Little Drummer Boy'. We hope to see you at our year-end performances and be able to share a little of the joy Christ has so richly and selflessly shared with us.

One moment in time

2008-10-23T13:30:00.003+08:00

Like, I am not excitable, oh man I can't believe you said that Stan like i'm soooo not excitable I'M NOT EXCITABLE!!!!!
*calms down*
Anyway, Agapella have achieved a historic achievement in their history; our 100th encountered flavour of Pocky has been consumed!

In the past month we have sampled:

Basil Pretz

Pumpkin Pretz

Mikan Pocky

Chocolate Cookie Crush Pocky

**100th**Butter Cookie Crush Pocky **100th**

Katayaki Pretz Cheddar Cheese

Dessert Pocky Monburan

Dessert Pocky Chocolate Cake

Shaping Up for Christmas

2008-10-07T15:10:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the quietness after one excitable member got into a frenzy in posting of our Pocky infatuation here.

We're getting into shape (vocally, not physically the way we're consuming pockys by the cartons!) for the Christmas season that kicks off next month for us. As with previous years, Agapella will be performing at both public and private gigs. Our performing schedule for the year-end season will be uploaded onto our website soon so please click on 'gigs' at http://www.agapella.net/

Watch this space for more news in due course! Meantime, we're all well. Congrats to Colin & Uma for the arrival of a bundle of joy late last month! Another Agapellet! Oh and yet another is in the workshop and we should take delivery of it early next year. Who says we've not been productive this year?!

Pocky Index Status at 95

2008-08-07T19:33:00.002+08:00

Recent new flavours sampled: Giant Strawberry Tsubu-Tsubu Pocky, Gokuboso (extra thin) Chocolate Pocky, Brazilian Pudding Pocky, Cacao Pretz, Honey Butter Pretz, Edamame Pretz, and Beer Pretz Spicy Chicken.

Come on peeps, we's almost at our Pocky Century!!!!

It's Fun to Sing @ the Y-M-C-A!

2008-07-14T22:31:00.006+08:00

Agapella's performed in many a places from homes to hotels, on sidewalks and streetcorners, in and around mazes (see previous entry) and from grand ballrooms to humble hallways of prisons. We've sung there, hummed that. But on 4th July, it was an intimate rooftop gig under the stars right down town! Pure chill, honest and unpretentious. ..not that the group can be otherwise. Ahem.

We wanna say thanks to the 200+ friends and friends of friends who thronged Blue Moo at the rooftop of YMCA Orchard. You were a fantastic audience that Friday night and we hope you were blessed because you came.

We've also realised that Facebook's a great way to disseminate news of our gigs, so if you haven't joined Agapella on FB, what are you waitin' for?! An invite? :o) Just do a search on our name and voila! We've got some hilarious photos of us posted in our album on FB. Check it out dudes/dudettes!

So see you online and at our upcoming gigs down the road. Agapella blessings to all!

AGAPELLA at the Singapore Arts Fest!

2008-07-07T12:12:00.005+08:00

Did you catch us at the Open Mic session on 31 May? We performed half a dozen songs in front of the Festival Maze at Raffles City, which is an installation specially commissioned by the Arts Council for the Festival. This fun and interactive art piece has the intriguing title DS{SPACE}MENTS, and was designed and built by one of our baritones, UCN!

We praise the Lord that the weather cleared up in time for us to sing. There were many passers-by of all nationalities who stopped to listen to us. God bless you-- hope you enjoyed the gig!

AGAPELLA Praise & Worship - 4th July!

2008-06-20T00:53:00.001+08:00

Pocky Index Status: now at 88 flavours

2008-06-02T22:29:00.001+08:00

Fresh additions: Decorer Pocky Chocolate Orange, Decorer Pocky Chocolate Banana, and Blueberry Tsubu-Tsubu Pocky.

We're gettin' near our Pocky century, peeps, keep them coming!

Pocky Index Status: now at 85 flavours

2008-05-05T18:30:00.001+08:00

Recent additions: Pretz Flat Style Melon Pan, Pretz Flat Style Bacon & Cheese, and Katayaki Shio Pretz.

Pocky Pretzel Power Pai Kia!

2008-04-05T13:46:00.002+08:00

Anata mo watashi mo Agapella

2008-04-01T22:06:00.008+08:00

The time has come for us to share with you about something that is very, very close to the heart of Agapella.

It is Pocky.

Seldom do we convene without it.

It is the other member of the group.

It is very, very important.

These are the Pocky Rules of Engagement:

1) Only that which is made by Glico shall qualify as Pocky.
2) The family of Pocky shall include all varieties of iced Pocky, un-iced Pretz, and giant incarnations thereof, produced in Japan or by Glico licencees outside Japan.
3) If any member should see a new, previously unsampled flavour of Pocky anywhere, and especially if they are abroad, they are bound by duty, honour, and the threat of having to organise the score library if they don’t, to purchase it for subsequent tasting, budget constraints notwithstanding.
4) Particularly well-received Pocky varieties may of course be purchased more than once.
5) Pocky-like non-Glico items may also be purchased for subsequent tasting, with the full recognition that they may be of dubious legitimacy or scandalous derivativeness, and thus open to receive disdain or outright rejection.
6) Pocky opened for sampling shall be passed around in an orderly and properly respectful manner, insofar as that is possible.
7) Donations of Pocky are gratefully accepted.

Under these rules, Agapella have in the last five years amassed a collection of Pocky experiences. Some have been good. Some have been bad. Some have been transcendent. Some have been mercifully forgotten about. Some have moved us near to tears.

This is the list of the flavours we have encountered:

Almond Pocky
Almond Crush Chocolate Pocky
Almond Crush Double Chocolate Pocky
Baked Potato Pretz
Banana Pocky
Cheesecake Pocky
Choco-Banana Pocky
Choco-Orange Pocky
Chocolate Pocky
Curry Pretz
Coconut Chocolate Pocky
Corn Pretz
Crispy Pizza Pretz
Decorer Pocky Chocolate Mousse
Decorer Pocky Apple Custard
Decorer Pocky Lemon Fromage
Decorer Pocky Mont Blanc Mousse
Decorer Pocky Peach and Strawberry Mousse
Decorer Pocky Strawberry Gateau
Digestive Pretz
Excerich Chocolate Pocky
Fish Roe & Cheese Pretz
Five Black Pocky (black pine nut, black soybean, black sugar, black sesame seed, unpolished black rice)
Five Fruit Pocky (peach, apricot, jujube, plum, chestnut)
Fresh Butter Pretz
French Toast Pretz
Grilled Cheese Pretz
Honey Lemon Pretz
Honey Hotcakes Pocky
Honey Pomelo Pretz (Glico China)
Ika Shichimi (spicy squid) Pretz
Kinako (roasted soybean) Pocky
Koi Tomato Pretz
Kuro Goma (black sesame) Pocky
Kyoho Grape Giant Pocky
Larb (spicy chicken salad) Pretz (Glico Thailand)
Mango Pocky
Marble Pocky Mild & Bitter Chocolate
Marble Pocky Matcha Chocolate
Marble Pocky Rum Raisin
Marble Pocky Caramel Chocolate
Marron (chestnut) Tsubu Tsubu Pocky
Matcha Tsubu Tsubu Pocky
Meets Wine Baked Pretz Mozzarella
Meets Wine Baked Pretz Cheese Pizza
Melon Pocky
Mentaiko (pollock roe) Pretz
Mens Pocky
Milk Pocky
Mousse Pocky Blueberry
Mousse Pocky Extra Chocolate
Mousse Pocky Mango
Mousse Pocky Matcha Green Tea
Mousse Pocky Milk Chocolate
Murasaki Imo (purple sweet potato) Pocky
Nagano Grape Giant Pocky
Paripo Uma Peanut Butter Pocky
Pejoy Reverso Malt Chocolate (Glico China)
Pejoy Reverso Matcha (Glico China)
Pejoy Reverso Tiramisu (Glico China)
Pejoy Reverso Red Wine Chocolate (Glico China)
Peking Duck Pretz (Glico China)
Pineapple Cream Pocky
Poare Chocolate
Poare Banana Custard
Pocky G
Pocky G Berry
Pudding Pretz
Reverso Pocky Chocolate
Reverso Pocky Strawberry
Reverso Pocky White chocolate
Roast Pretz
Royal Milk Tea Pocky
Salty Shrimp Pretz
Strawberry Pocky
Strawberry Tsubu-Tsubu Pocky
Satsumaimo (sweet potato) and sesame seed Pretz
Tahitian Vanilla Pocky
Tomato Pretz
Wasabi Nori Pretz
Winter Pocky Limited Edition Bitter Chocolate with cocoa powder
Yubari Melon Giant Pocky

We know there are more that we have not yet tried.

We can feel them waiting for us, out there, on the shelves.

It is only a matter of time.

Agapella Auditions!

2008-03-14T23:33:00.003+08:00

Hi friends,

Do you have previous singing experience? Would you like to be part of an exciting Christian acappella ministry? Are you a Soprano?

If you've answered `YES' to all 3, then you may be who we're looking for:

Agapella is an independent Christian acappella ministry that is non-denominational. Our 14 co-ed members come for a variety of churches, but we all share the same passion for music and ministry. The music we perform is in the contemporary acappella style, which includes, jazz, pop, fast paced, choralic and even instrumental. All using the human voice. We've been around for more than 5 years and have performed in numerous occasions; from singing in the streets, to Global Day of Prayer, to singing in homes to performing for our nation's leaders, even on national radio 93.8FM, 93.3FM, 92.4FM and Channel News Asia. Last year we released our debut album "Follow That Star" to rave reviews in the Straits Times, Business Times and other publications the album sold over 5,000 copies and has reached over 15 countries. You can check us out at www.agapella.net and agapella.blogspot.com .

We're now seeking a:
- Soprano
- Past singing experience is a must
- Good ability to read music (Grade 5 and above preferred)
- Fun loving
- Outreach focused
and most importantly,
- Christian

Time commitment is 3 hrs/week for rehearsals + 2 hours/month for performances. Christmas time is a busy period, expect to have 1 gig a week.

If you think you are the right person, then call Jameson at 9769 7241 or email jsey@yahoo.com to set up a time for the audition or to find out more. Auditions will be held on Sunday 30th March only.

Blessings,
Agapella

Agapella @ Cherith Baptist This Easter!

2008-03-12T23:15:00.001+08:00

Living Each Day in the Good of the Gospel

2008-02-16T12:02:00.004+08:00

And there's more

2008-02-10T10:48:00.000+08:00

The Hills Are Alive!

2008-02-09T11:29:00.000+08:00

It was a mountain-top experience we wished could have lasted for all time, given the cool air, the warm fellowship, breath-taking scenery, glory of God's handicraft in nature and delightful meals. Back refreshed, recharged and ready to thrust ourselves towards our mission, Agapella is back in business for 2008! Here are snapshots of our time at Cameron Highlands (2nd - 5th Feb 2008).

Retreats and Advances

2008-02-06T13:46:00.000+08:00

Agapella have just returned from a retreat in the misty strawberried mountains of the Cameron Highlands! After four days of fellowship, worship, food, prayer, discussion, food, ministering to one another, board games, food, excursions, food, highway leapfrog, and, let's see...um, food, we have plenty to digest, in all senses of the word. We give thanks to God for His matchless leadership and deep wells of grace! More posts to come...

New Year Greetings (video) to Agapellafrens

2008-01-07T18:01:00.000+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BeJEIzMNT0

Blessed New Year!

2008-01-02T20:16:00.000+08:00

As we sail into 2008, Agapella would like to send joyous new year wishes and big MUAH MUAHs (flying kisses) to all our friends, families, fans and food suppliers!!! (Many of you fall simultaneously into more than one of those categories...) May this year bring you God's best!

Season's Greetings

2007-12-26T00:02:00.001+08:00

AGAPELLA on TV!

2007-12-25T23:38:00.000+08:00

ALL THROUGH DECEMBER we've had fantastic radio time on Symphony 92.4FM and 938LIVE ... seems everyone's singing along to "Follow That Star" or "Mary's Boy Child" on every street corner!

But yesterday, on Christmas Eve, AGAPELLA showed up on Channel News Asia's Prime Time Morning! Our fearless leader Sherman, vocal percussionist Jam and alto Uma managed to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed despite the early hour... bantering easily and showcasing our inimitable brand of wacky humour to viewers all across Asia. They even surprised host Suzanne Jung with a birthday song for her, done AGAPELLA-style (if you want to know how old she is, go ask her yourself).

pics courtesy of Chris Tan

CD Reviews in the Press

2007-12-24T00:15:00.000+08:00

TODAY Newspaper 20 December 2007

Christopher Lim
Fri, Dec 07, 2007

The Business Times (extract)

It's always nice to review a strong homegrown Christmas album. A capella group Agapella was formed in 2002, but only released their debut album this year.

Called Follow The Star, it's Christmas themed and features well-structured arrangements of classic songs as well as a few less well known tracks. It isn't easy to accurately imitate drums with just one's voice, but there are some convincing hi-hats on God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. O Holy Night also features some appealing harmonisation.

Non-traditional songs like What Can I Give Him and In The First Light also show off the Agapella's vocal prowess nicely. Besides excellent intonation, Agapella deserves praise for good diction, and doesn't suffer from the distracting sibilance that afflicts some local vocal groups.

The strangest track on the album is the last, titled Internal Affairs, which is a conversation between two foetuses inside their mothers' womb.

...

Our Christmas season so far...

2007-12-23T23:36:00.000+08:00

AGAPELLA IS IN THE MIDDLE of our busiest Christmas season ever! We'd already done gigs at Square 2 mall, Petra church and a special appearance at Camp A Cappella in November. December has been simply awesome-- starting with the Presbyterian Synod Youth Camp on the 7th. Nearly 300 teens gave us a fantastic reception at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School. We kicked off with a song we've just added to our Christmas repertoire this year-- Silent Night by Go Fish. We did a few other uptempo numbers, including an audience-participation If This World, and also Amanda let loose her inner diva with I Will Follow Him. Lots of the youth were singing along. It was great for us to see the passion that the youth have for following Jesus!

AGAPELLA at the PSYC 2007 (pic by Wilson Tan)

ON 16 DECEMBER AGAPELLA had one of our best gigs ever-- our Christmas concert hosted by Bethesda Katong church. It was a "homecoming" of sorts-- our very first Christmas concert, back in 2002, was also hosted by BKC. And this time it was full house-- many of our friends and family and church friends brought pre-believing friends along. It was an anointed service from start to end-- warm, intimate and full of laughter and great fellowship. AGAPELLA alumnus Wan Junyan shared the message of Christmas and several people made decisions for Jesus Christ that night. It was a truly memorable and joyful night! We praise God for the fantastic opportunity for ministry, and also thank BKC and all helpers and friends for the great hospitality.

Christmas concert at BKC (pic byWilson Tan)

FOR THE THIRD CHRISTMAS RUNNING, AGAPELLA was invited to perform at the Esplanade. This year we did six half-hour sets at the concourse over two nights, on 20th and 21st December. We're reliably informed that we drew nearly a crowd of 700 for the very first set (the number going up to more than 1,000 if you count those who were just passing through). It was absolutely fabulous-- the energy was high, the mood was great and people were singing and clapping along. By popular demand we reprised the "12 Pains of Christmas" song. A shout out to our 5 year old fan Gerard who very professionally helped us count all 12 of the pains! And it was simply awesome to see so many of our friends and family there too. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves!

AGAPELLA at the Esplanade, 20-21 December 2007

Pics courtesy of Wilson Tan

LIME Magazine Review

2007-11-30T08:35:00.000+08:00

Album Review of "Follow That Star" by LIME (Dec issue)

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

WHO:
Singapore's biggest independent Christian contemporary a cappella vocal group made up of 14 members - that's enough to gang up on Slipknot! They've just released their debut album in the nick of time for Christmas.

WHAT:
Follow That Star is full of ho-ho-ho-some classic Christmas carols which have been freshly rearranged for this release. 'De King Is Born' is a Cuban-rhythm tempered track that stands out from the rest of the nifty jingles. Fans of the movie Sister Act will be delighted at the inclusion of 'I Will Follow Him'. We found ourselves dosing off to many of the tracks, but in a good way. This album is a wonderfully soothing listen for anyone looking to cuddle by the fireplace - unfortunately, most of us don't have one so a hot oven will have to do.

BOTTOM LINE:
Professionally produced and exquisitely sung, this album will make a perfect Christmas gifts for friends.

Straits Times review

2007-11-17T21:12:00.000+08:00

From the Straits Times' Life! music section, Friday 16 November 2007:

In De Stores Today!

2007-11-07T12:54:00.000+08:00

At last...it's out!!! AGAPELLA's maiden album "Follow That Star" is out now in major music stores! God's brought the recording, mixing and design and distribution phase to completion and now it's time to share the good stuff.

Everyone was over the moon when the CDs were wheeled out in boxes and all praise to our Heavenly Papa for letting all this happen.

We want to bless many with this Christmas recording and you can be that channel.

Trudge down to nearest music store (we're certain Gramophone stocks 'em!) to be the proud owner of a copy of this limited edition. You'll get it from us at $12.90 if you come hear us at any of our public gigs, plus we can oblige with autographs if you like them on the sleeves.

We love to see you at our Christmas gigs this month and next. See you soon!

He makes all things beautiful in His time

2007-09-24T00:01:00.000+08:00

For everything there is a time and a season. And it was with this assurance that Agapella embarked on our maiden journey to record our first album..14 of us, with 3 people to one part in some songs and then the occasional songs with one part per person.. the whole thing seemed like too daunting a task for people who just got together on weekends to piece a few tunes together to bless others. But since the opportunity to create the album so miraculously landed on our laps, how can we not take on this task with faith believing that the One who brought it to us would pull us through. Many moons and 13 songs + 1 skit + other irrational SFX later, I am happy to declare that we survived the ordeal, and you'll soon see something beautiful (so we'd like to think) that will hopefully minister to you and your loved ones this season..We're happy it's almost over. Come October, it should be fresh out of the oven and ready to be delivered to music stores and into the homes of those who enjoy our music (and some of their `fortunate friends' who may be getting it a Christmas gifts ;) Anyway, a big thank you to all of you who prayed us through this process. If you haven't already done that, now's a good time to start.. we need all the prayers we can get as we get into the next stage of gigging and marketing our album.. check out our site at www.agapella.net if you haven't.. and if you need a group of 14 for Christmas gigs, give us a call. Details on how to contact us and our performance schedule are on our website. This was a beautiful season for us..may it be for you too. God bless you...

Twinkle.

2007-08-24T16:57:00.000+08:00

Agapella IN August

2007-08-11T22:49:00.000+08:00

Agapella is currently putting its final musical touches to what promises to be a masterful compilation of Christmas carols to cosy up to and share with your loved ones at year's end. Our sound technicians are also shifting into higher gear in making the recording sound most polished - not that we aren't already. But it's like make-up, a little help won't hurt would it?!

We know you're wondering about the album title, but it'll remain embargoed till our media and marketing plan is ready. Thereafter, we'll be flooding the island with the news of our debut album which we trust will bless many.

If you'd like to enquire about Agapella on behalf of your church/group/organisation or consider having us as part of your Christmas event this December (especially with our CD targetted for release in Oct), it's not too early to make contact with us.

WE'RE OPEN FOR ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS!!!

Please email thenewsstan@gmail.com NOW for more information.

The Sound of Silence

2007-07-12T00:02:00.001+08:00

Thank you for visiting Agapella's blog. Forgive us for being largely 'silent' on the virtual front, but be rest assured Agapella has been the least bit silent on the vocal front, albeit behind the scenes. The journey towards producing our debut album began in earnest 4 months ago. Since then, almost every weekend's been set aside for practices on Saturday mornings and recordings that stretch from mid afternoon to late in the evening on Sundays. The long hours in the studio that we put in (some more than others, namely our vocal leaders, Sherman & Averil, whom we truly appreciate for their dedication and sacrifice) have been slightly behind schedule. But by God's grace, we know He Who began this good work through us will enable us to see it to completion. Two more songs to record and a new phase of publicity, promotions and marketing kicks in.

Individually, God has been blessing each member. Notable episodes of His bountiful providence and empowerment have been seen in the lives of Aaron (a successful launch of his 2nd publication - a collection of poems titled "Five Right Angles") and Namiko (completion of her paintings for her "Parables" exhibition that opens at the Esplanade on 23rd July, thereafter at Fost Gallery from 2nd Aug). We also marvel at God's hand of protection upon Jameson who walked away from a traffic accident with superficial scratches while his colleague just inches away is still in the intensive care unit at the hospital. The angels and the rest of Agapella also rejoiced last Sunday on the joyous occasion of Simone's baptism. Through this period, God has also been faithful in equipping Sherman with a new set of wheels, Chris with a new publication, Averil and her family with a new abode and Uma with a new job.

God continues to be real and close to Agapella. May He be to you as He has been to us.

Meantime, we covet your prayers as we continue to put in hours at the recording studio. May the name of our Almighty God be lifted high through this project!

The Lord Our Hope

2007-05-31T23:28:00.000+08:00

Agapella had the privilege to perform at the Singapore Anglican Community Services fund raising dinner on 25 May. It was a great time of music, testimony and fellowship with our co-workers for the Kingdom. May God bless the SACS ministry as it continues to reach out to those in need.

AGAPELLA @ The National Stadium on Sun, 27th June

2007-05-21T17:06:00.000+08:00

AGAPELLA looks forward to this Sunday with much eagerness in anticipation of our vocal support and participation at this year's Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) proceedings at the National Stadium. Now in its second year, GDOP attracted some 25,000 believers last year and seeks to surpass last year's mark. But mightier than sheer numbers is the power of prayer to a living God Who hears and answers; prayers for Repentence, Reconciliation and Restoration - the themes weaving across families, Church and nation.

Come join Agapella at the National Stadium this Sunday from 7pm for this powerful gathering. Agapella will be providing back-up vocals and harmonies to worship leader Clement Chow. Come, sing and pray with us for the nations!

Easter Greetings

2007-04-07T21:46:00.000+08:00

HE IS RISEN, by He Qi, "arguably China's most internationally sought

after contemporary Christian artist." (Far Eastern Economic Review)

www.heqiarts.com

West Side Story

2007-04-07T21:30:00.000+08:00

Since the year began we'd been praying for our baritone and ACJC alumnus Yu Hsien, as he prepared to lend his talent to the ACJC staging of Bernstein & Sondheim's "West Side Story". In addition to designing the set, Yu Hsien also faced the challenging task of singing, dancing and acting in the lead role Tony. In a totally sold-out matinee show this afternoon, we were so pleased to watch him and the formidable cast and crew pull off a great performance. Praise the Lord for the wonderful array of talents on display today! As for Yu Hsien, he's confessed to sometimes feeling nervous before a performance but he looks so at home on stage. Well done!

Milestone - AGAPELLA Begins Recording

2007-03-13T16:28:00.000+08:00

The Lord has done great things for us whereof, we are glad! Some have harboured a five-year-old vision and an ambition to one day work on a CD recording since Agapella came to be in 2002. And this past weekend, we physically took that first step towards realising a dream. Agapella set foot into Loft Studios for our first ever professional recording outside of "Shermattic" (i.e. Sherman's attic) last Saturday.

The excitement and chatter of plans to work on our debut album became more audible towards the latter half of last year. The earnestness and energy was evident. But what was equally evident was that it wasn't going to take a few bucks to keep the dream alive. Who would fund it? Do we have the financial resources? Were we able to commit to the intensity of rehearsals and recording sessions? Lots of aspirations coupled with lots of questions.

God in His time addressed some of our concerns in the most unlikely of circumstances. It was Christmas not too many months ago and it another God-given gig opportunity. One December night at the Biopolis, we were not alerted to the fact that we had a prominent business leader in the audience. After Agapella got off stage and tucked into dinner courtesy of our hosts, this man came up to us and told us how blessed he was by the songs and skits (yes, we have great actors among us too! PTL!). He shared that he'd help us fund an album if we were producing one. That, you could say got the ball rolling and we were all bowled over by God's amazing provision of that man, who roped two other compatriots of his to co-invest in the funding of the project. Why would two strangers want to part with hard-earned money on a group? And might we add that they've never heard of us nor heard us sing? Behind the missing pieces, we know God's at work. He never fails to amaze and provide at the right time and throught the right people.

Another piece fit the jigsaw. Late last year, Agapella got up close with M-Pact from the US at two of their gigs (one a paid concert) and with them was our very own Clement Chow. I never got to ask him what involvement he had with M-Pact but he was working with them during their concerts here. Next thing you know, Clement who's a recording artiste and performer in his own right, was spending precious time with us divulging the right practices and steps we have to take to get the project up and running. And voila! Agapella is in the thick of recording!

Most apt was the first song we've recorded - "What Can I Give Him?" Singly and collectively, we don't have much assets nor accomplishements to shout about. But what can we give him? We want to give him our heart through this project and even beyond its completion.

So come Christmas, we pray we'll have a nice spread of pieces for you to take away, all masterfully recorded and bottled in a CD.

They that wait upon the Lord

2007-01-28T19:22:00.000+08:00

...shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles... (Isa 40:31).

Praise the Lord indeed for the AGAPELLA retreat that took place in Bintan last weekend. It was a truly refreshing and fun time of worshipping, fellowshipping, singing and reflecting on God's goodness in this ministry that He established in August 2002. This year will be an exciting one in which we will see new goals and challenges. We dedicate ourselves to anew to God's leading as He opens doors and extends our territory to reach many with the love of Jesus. Thank you for praying for us!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T12:58:00.000+08:00

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" - 2 Cor 5:17

After the Esplanade gig...

2006-12-22T17:29:00.000+08:00

We thank God for a wonderful gig at the Esplanade Concourse on Wednesday! Despite the late start due to some technical issues, a few members who weren't feeling their best, and having to occasionally compete with the warning bell from the Theatre and Concert Hall, the audience enjoyed the carols and other pieces, and we too enjoyed the evening tremendously =) Thank you to the responsive audience, and to all the family and friends who came down specially to show their support and encouragement - we were so blessed to be able to share the Christmas story with all of you in song :) -dorcas

Agapella @ Esplanade Concourse

2006-12-20T12:12:00.000+08:00

You're invited to Agapella's final vocal outing till 2007!

Carolling at the Library@Orchard

2006-12-13T15:49:00.000+08:00

AGAPELLA Kicks Off the Christmas Season!

2006-12-08T11:21:00.000+08:00

The Christmas lights are up on Orchard Road and at Vivocity-- and as was the case last year, AGAPELLA has already started our seasonal gigs! We did a weekend Christmas performance at Makarios cafe at the National Library two weeks back, and we're also performing tonight at an Alpha course celebration dinner at the Biopolis. We're pretty excited to be unveiling a couple of new songs this festive season: a spine-tinglingly tender and aching version of "O Holy Night" and a sassy, loud, clap-along-everybody rendition of "I Will Follow Him" from the soundtrack of the movie Sister Act. So don't miss it!

Oh by the way-- if you come to the Bukit Batok CC residents' Christmas Celebration on Saturday 15 Dec, you will hear a great rendition of "Mary Did You Know"-- a beautiful song by Mark Lowry that perfectly sums up the wonder of Christ's birth. Here's a story from the Christianity Today website about the song, which I know you will enjoy. Hope to see you at our upcoming gigs. Have a blessed Christmas!

--

Story Behind the Song
Mark Lowry's "Mary Did You Know?"

Mark Lowry is best known as a singer and comedian who spent more than a decade as a regular fixture of Bill Gaither's vocal band. But years from now, when all is said and done, Lowry's most enduring legacy will probably be the beautiful little song that he wrote 18 years ago as a meditation for a Christmas program at his church.

In 1984, the leaders at Lowry's Nashville congregation asked him if he'd be willing to write a musical for Advent. He gladly agreed. Inspiration came as Lowry focused his heart and mind on the wonder of Christmas.

"I tried to picture Mary holding the baby Jesus on the first Christmas morning and wondered what she was thinking about that child," he says. "She knew he was special—the Virgin Birth was her first clue—but could she ever imagine all the things that he would do while he was here?"

Soon, Lowry came up with a series of questions that he would like to ask Mary: "Did she know he would walk on water? Raise the dead? Give sight to the blind?"

Lowry decided to use the questions as a monologue to be recited between the scenes of his musical. But the profundity of those questions lingered in his mind long after the church musical was done.

Six years later, harmonica virtuoso Buddy Greene supplied just the right music and "Mary, Did You Know?" was complete.

Since then, Lowry and Greene's tune has become a modern classic. It has been recorded by more than 30 different artists (besides Lowry), including Kenny Rogers, Kathleen Battle, and Reba McEntire.

"I hear from a lot of people who have sung it in the church choir for Christmas and Easter programs," says Lowry. "When I wrote it, I felt there was something special there, but I never imagined how wide-reaching it would become."

by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene © 1991 Word Music/Rufus Music/ascap. Used by permission.
Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader). November/December 2002, Vol. 40, No. 6, Page 18

Song Lyrics

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I-AM.

AGAPELLA @ Christmas 2006!

2006-12-04T16:51:00.000+08:00

Agapella stages
2 public concerts
this December.
C'mon down and
celebrate Christmas with us
as we unwrap a parcel of carols, complete with minimal choreography. (While we're not all natural-born movers, we're easy on the ears.)

JOIN US THIS CHRISTMAS!

AGAPELLA brings early Christmas cheer at Makarios Cafe, National Library (24, 25 November)

Starstruck

2006-11-24T12:30:00.000+08:00

Just a couple more photos of M-Pact (and evidence that we were there too actually talking to them..! ;)

With this and getting to meet Rockapella in person as well a week earlier, how wonderful to know that they are all genuine and down-to-earth people, brought together by the love of singing and the common purpose of making music together. Very much looking forward to Sunday's concert :)

M-Pact meets Agapella!

2006-11-23T12:48:00.000+08:00

Who would have thought we'd literally share the stage with M-Pact one day? That day was realised last night at the Singapore Art Cafe at the Library @ Esplanade. At the kind invitation of owner Jonathan How, Agapella leapt at the opportunity to share our brand of music with what was a warm audience, a crowd of no more than 40 people and the guys of M-Pact. Thanks to Sherm who had painstakingly transcribed "De King is Born Today" (an M-Pact piece!) many days ago, we were able to give back to group what they'd given to us. They were pretty amused and appreciative because they don't often get to hear their songs coming back at them, what with a female lead. I'm sure we did it decently enough because Uma (our cool diva of a soloist) came out of that piece unscathed and unharmed. [Disclaimer: We weren't restraining M-Pact from coming at her.]

We loved the four pieces they shared ahead of their concert this Sunday. Looking forward to it!

We hope you're also looking forward to Agapella's Christmas gigs. Details will be posted here soon, so make sure you come right back here!

~ Stanafella

Reunion!

2006-09-30T10:16:00.000+08:00

Cafe Vienna, 24 September

Blogging to Worship God

2006-09-26T08:19:00.000+08:00

Here's a thought-provoking reflection on how blogging can be an act of worship to our Lord. Bob Kauflin, as you know, was a writer and arranger for the awesome a cappella group GLAD, until a few years ago. He's now Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries and also ministers at the church led by Josh Harris.

Check out Boundless magazine at www.boundless.org

--
Blogging to Worship God
by Bob Kauflin

Why blog?

That's the question I asked myself back in November of 2005, when I began a weblog called Worship Matters, devoted to issues of music and worship. After leading worship for 30 years, I figured I'd made enough mistakes to keep me going for a couple hundred columns.

At that time, Technorati.com said there were 10 million other blogs in existence. I wasn't sure the world needed one more.

That was then. Technorati.com now claims to search over 50 million blogs. On top of that, the Washington Post recently reported that MySpace.com hosts over 100 million blogs. I have no doubt the number of blogs is going to continue to grow.

Why are blogs so incredibly popular? I can think of a few reasons. Sites like MySpace, TypePad, WordPress and Blogger have made starting a blog easy. And blogs are a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. My daughter and daughter-in-law live near us, but I still read their blogs that include personal reflections and pictures of the grandkids (always a plus).
I read a number of blogs daily. Al Mohler (albertmohler.com) gives me quick insightful and biblical commentary on the news. Justin Taylor (theologica.blogspot.com) provides helpful links to sites dealing with "Theology, Philosophy, Politics, and Culture." Some blogs make me laugh (purgatorio1.com), others help me think through issues biblically (challies.com).

More than anything, blogs have enabled us to communicate what's in our hearts and minds to anyone in the world who wants to listen. And you can do all of this sitting at home in front of your computer.

If you're reading this, there's a good possibility that you read blogs, comment on blogs, or write one of your own. If you never go near blogs, I wouldn't be too concerned. But for the rest of us, here are some things to keep in mind as we inhabit the blogosphere.

For Those Who Blog or Want To
Christians might blog on a variety of topics and for a number of reasons, but they share one common goal:
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)
If God wants us to eat and drink for his glory, He certainly wants us to blog for the same reason. That means God has something to say about our content, attitude, and motive in blogging.

It's not hard to find blogs that are filled with foul language, pornographic material, and useless information. But as Christians, we're commanded to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). That includes quite a bit. What it doesn't include is saying whatever I feel like saying, rehearsing how lousy I feel, wallowing in self-pity, or stirring up unnecessary controversy. God says we'll be held accountable for every word we speak — and blog.

If you're going to write a blog, write about something that matters. Unless you don't expect anyone to read what you're saying, ask yourself if what you're writing will serve your readers in any way. It might be funny or serious, your own reflections or thoughts from others. Your blog might simply point to resources, books, or music that has encouraged you. But the content should in some meaningful way bring glory to God.

Here are a few subjects that should be absent from our blogs:
Lies. Sitting in front of the keyboard, it's amazing how easily we type things that we aren't completely sure about, that we never would want to be held accountable to, or that are slightly modified to make us sound more persuasive. As those who follow the One Who is the Truth, we should avoid any kind of falsehood, exaggeration, or unsubstantiated claim.

Gossip. One of the most common blogging temptations is to spread information about people we've never spoken to directly. This isn't the same as referencing public knowledge for the sake of illustration, which can build discernment. But too often, we gossip simply to exalt our own ego. "Why was Katherine hanging out with Michael?" "How can my boss be so insensitive?" "I'd never say what Drew said." "What a loser."

Intimate details. I stumbled across some blogs a while back that read like uncensored diaries, full of crude language, sinful desires, and sexual disclosures. What holds true for our speech, holds true for our blogs:

"But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." (Eph. 5:3-4)

Another factor to consider in blogging is links. While it may look impressive or cool to have a long list of "Blogs I Read," keep in mind that you're recommending the content of those blogs. Unless you trust the source implicitly, you should only recommend blogs that follow the same standards you do.

God is also concerned about our attitude when we blog.

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Eph. 4:29)

I read a newspaper article not too long ago about a woman who wakes up every morning and begins her day by blogging her anger against conservatives. While most of us wouldn't go that far, I wonder how often we use blogs to sin in a way that doesn't seem quite so sinful.
"Corrupting talk" includes biting sarcasm, arrogant condescension, and harsh anger. We might rename them wit, experience, and justified venting.

It never seems very sinful when we're writing from our heart, striking a few keys and, pushing "post." No one's there to give us feedback and we're just happy we said what we wanted to say. That's why Christian bloggers need a generous dose of humility. The nature of blogging implies that I think I have something worth saying. That's misleading. The ability to post my thoughts on the Internet is no guarantee that I have any idea what I'm talking about.

Recently Tim Challies live-blogged the WorshipGod06 Conference we hosted. One commenter took issue with some of the things that reportedly took place at the conference and launched into an attack on me, Sovereign Grace Ministries, and charismatics in general. I'm happy to say that after a number of folks came to our defense, the original commenter saw his sin and wrote this:
"Please forgive this over-zealous brother who spoke too soon, and without thinking through all of this first ... and please pray that God would grant me wisdom and discernment in all things, so that I might not hurt another brother or sister with the kind of comments I posted earlier."
That was a turnaround that is rarely seen in the world of blogging and a clear demonstration of humility. But it's even better to consider our hearts before we open our mouths, remembering Solomon's counsel in Proverbs: "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Prov. 29:20).

Finally, we need to examine our motives for blogging. Sometimes my motives are godly, sometimes not. Often they're mixed.

When I started Worship Matters I was painfully aware of a desire to impress people. I had difficulty getting started and confessed in my second blog entry:

"Undoubtedly, pride has held me back. I don't simply want to write a blog on worship. I want to write THE blog on worship (it helps that there aren't very many out there to begin with). In my worst moments I'm hoping worshipmatters.com will be quoted, blogrolled, referenced, acclaimed, recognized, and well, worshiped. The fear that that WON'T happen, and that my blog will die after two weeks due to lack of interest, gives me pause.

"Ironic, isn't it? One of my motives for writing a blog on worshipping God seems to be gaining glory for myself. Come to think of it, one of my motives for almost everything I do seems to be gaining glory for myself."

Fortunately, God gives grace to overcome our sin. But if we don't acknowledge it, we'll never be able to repent from it. Here are some possible signs that I'm blogging for my own glory:
I start a blog because all my friends have one
I enjoy seeing my name in print, especially on someone else's blog
I'm crushed by criticism
I'm flippant in criticizing others
I check my visitor counter every hour
My emotional state is related to the number of people who visit my site

I'm sure you can think of others. God's words to us in James are relevant to blogging:
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic." (James 3:13-15)

The two motives we are called to fight here are bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Bitter jealousy is grieving that I don't have what someone else has — a cooler site design, more links, more comments, more visitors. It's when I only want God to be glorified through ME, and don't naturally rejoice when he chooses to use someone else.

Selfish ambition is similar to bitter jealousy, only more blatant. I want to be approved, applauded, admired. I want people to say kind things about me, whether or not I actually deserve it. I fear any kind of correction or feedback because it appears as though I've said or done something wrong. At root, selfish ambition is challenging God for the right to be worshiped. Sadly, it can motivate what we write.

God tells us that these sins are "earthly, unspiritual, and demonic." I have to admit, I typically don't think of my desire to be noticed in such radical, harsh terms. But then, I never see my sin like God does. As one Puritan said, "You see more defilement in my duties than I ever saw in any of my sins."

God's solution is simple, but impossible apart from the work of the Savior in our hearts. Be humble. Be wise. Be "pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17). That kind of blogging will bear fruit for eternity for the glory of Jesus Christ.

On Reading Blogs
When I first discovered blogs, I was amazed how much time people spent reading them. I still am. Yet, I've too often sat down to read a blog and been shocked to look up at the clock and see that two hours has passed.

For all that's good about blogs, there are some down sides. The majority of blogs promote transient, light, emotional, and unreflective communication. Unlike great authors, no blogger I know spends years figuring out what they're going to say on their blog. For the most part, blogs focus on what's new, fashionable, or controversial. They can encourage quick and mindless responses that only feed our tendency to value temporal, passing things.

Of course, blogs can be beneficial if we use them wisely, understanding that they're only one slice of the way God intends for us to relate to the world. And a small slice, at that.

Before I read a blog, it's always good to ask a few questions.
Is there a better way I should be spending my time?
Have I set a limit on how long I'm going to do this?
Do I plan to guard my heart as I read?
How much time do I spend each day reading blogs?

My 17-year-old daughter started a blog where she posts pictures she's taken. She sent out an e-mail to let people know about it, and a portion of it said:
"If you ever have any free time and you're wondering, "What in the world am I going to do now?" don't go to my blog. Have extended devotions, or read some good book on our Savior, or serve your family. And once you've done that, come and visit my blog."
That's great counsel.

The blogosphere is a mixed blessing. Used wisely we can benefit from the lives, insights, and creativity of others. Used without discernment, it can be a temptation and distraction for anyone who wants to please God.

Whether you read, write or ignore blogs, I pray that God gives you grace to do it all for the glory of our Savior.
--
Copyright © 2006 Sovereign Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001340.cfm

In the eye of the Beholder

2006-09-11T22:21:00.000+08:00

It has been many months since our founding sop Nammie shared her conviction that the Lord called her to paint for Him. Her very first solo exhibition in 2001 was a series of abstracts collectively called "My Life as an Artist in Context with the Will of God". So this past weekend, when Nammie heard that her portrait "Charisse" had been unanimously selected by a panel of international judges as the 25th UOB Painting of the Year, she immediately saw a testimony opportunity. She testified that God has been gracious in choosing this time to affirm His calling her to pursue art full time. His encouragement was in response to a season of working, praying, and waiting upon Him. We in Agapella who love her know that it has not been easy. But He is showing that her art career is in His hands, where it is safest. Indeed, in our lives and our ministry, we can look to the Lord to make us "complete in every good work to do His will, working in [us] that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever." (Hebrews 13:21)

Coming Soon To A TV Near You!

2006-08-15T22:51:00.000+08:00

The current television season's biggest breakout hit, SAVED is a thrilling new susptragidramedy series that examines all the great questions of life: who are we? why are we here? where do all my other socks go? Filmed in the luxurious tropical settings of Mount Faber View and Queensway, SAVED chronicles the adventures of a plucky group of survivors of an airplane crash on a mysterious island. Armed only with their wits, their courage, and some not particularly attractive inflight slipperettes, they band together to form an acappella group, knowing that in the face of an uncertain future, mysterious noises in the undergrowth, and a rapidly dwindling supply of chicken or beef, the one thing most crucial to their survival is - harmony.

NB: I do not know who the tall guy in the centre is, he wasn't there when I took the photo. And Averil is not in it as she is on duty inside the hatch pressing the button.

Our Next Gig

2006-08-11T07:57:00.000+08:00

Hear the inspirational speaker Nanz Chong-Komo, network with other Christians in the marketplace, and enjoy the songs brought to you by AGAPELLA. Oh, and bring your friends!

Life Together

2006-07-11T10:22:00.000+08:00

At my church's recent annual leadership conference, we were reflecting on issues relating to growth and commitment. As followers of Christ we are called to be faithful witnesses, "fishers of men", disciple-makers, and co-workers in extending God's kingdom. But a church, like any corporate body, is often a crucible of human relationships and all its variegated, dramatic conflict. It is not unheard of to experience problems-- ranging from a lack of vision, to clashes of ego or petty squabbling that might seem to frustrate our efforts and good intentions.

So how can we be obedient to our calling? One of my favourite Christian thinkers Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writes in Life Together:

“How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things? If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.”

AGAPELLA is in some ways a "mini-church", and I thank God that by His grace we have been blessed with a wonderful sense of fellowship and unity in our nearly 4 years together. But we are not to take it for granted, or congratulate ourselves for having "picked a good bunch of people". Rather we should remember that it is He who has called us to life together in this ministry, and who continues to give us everything we need to do His good work. - Aargafella