Initial commit with notes about structure/purpose/principles.

README.md

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+# New Life Rehearsal Band
+
+## Purpose
+
+## Rehearsal and Performance Schedule
+
+NLRB has a dedicated rehearsal twice monthly in the first and third weeks of
+the month. This will tentatively by on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00pm, but the
+days and time may change to fit the schedules of band members.
+
+We will typically lead worship twice a month, once for a Wednesday evening
+service and once for a Sunday evening service. These will generally be in the
+latter half of the month, but not on the same week.
+
+The music we will play will be chosen at least a month in advance and we will
+spend the month practicing and rehearsing this selection. Parts for the singers
+and lead sheets for the musicians will be available as soon as the song
+selection is announced.
+
+Rehearsals will have a pre-set agenda. I don't want to waste your time being
+unorganized or unplanned. The other side of this coin is that we need to have
+our parts and music learned before rehearsal so that you are not wasting
+other's time.
+
+## Philosophy/Principles
+
+* Rehearsal is time for the band to learn to play together, not time for us to
+  individually learn the song.
+
+* We should be practicing the music regularly on our own time to learn and
+  master our part.
+
+### Band Leaders' Commitments
+
+* The set list is determined at the beginning of the month.
+* Correct reference material, music, and parts are available at the same time
+  the set list is announced.
+* Rehearsals are planned and have a pre-determined agenda.
+* Rehearsal time is used efficiently.
+
+### Band Member Commitments
+
+* Regular weekly practice (suggested 2 hours).
+  - Learning the material we will perform.
+  - Stretching our own abilities and growing as musicians.
+* Attendance at all scheduled rehearsals.
+

Rehearsal Band.txt

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+Rehearsal Band
+
+Commitments expected:
+
+* 2 hours weekly personal practice.
+* Regular (biweekly) practice with the full band.
+* Play twice a month: Wednesday, Sunday PM
+* Set list a month in advance.
+
+Practice Pattern:
+
+* Initial chords provided.
+* Each member of expected to listen and learn their own part from the reference material.
+* Each member should learn the context of their part relative to the music as a whole. "How does my part serve the music?"
+* Corporate practice should have a defined agenda.
+* Two phases to learning material:
+  - Learn pieces piecemeal. Focus deeply on each section.
+  - Highlights. Hit the intros, transitions, endings. Review rough parts.
+* Reasons for practice and commitment are given and justified. We practice because we want to, not because we have to.
+

music-thoughts.txt

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+Less separation between band and singers. We have a worship team.
+
+Preparation:
+
+- Have a predetermined repertoire.
+- Rotate songs in and out.
+- For every song
+    - music for all parts with detailed notes
+    - overarching song structure and feelings
+    - isolated part recordings (especially for singers)
+- Have periodic music clinics to learn new sings y entering the repertoire.
+- Make practice amenable to self-service.
+- Balance practice vs. sound-checks.
+- Dedicated practice should be only for polish and final fit.
+
+Delegation:
+
+- Multiple worship team leaders. Worship team leaders are responsible for directing the band and singers during worship.
+- New songs can be suggested by anybody. They would also be a great candidate to prepare the song for the repertoire.
+
+Principles:
+
+- Freedom in worship comes when we don't have to worry about the music.
+- Worship team leads worship. Our main goal is to facilitate the worship of others.
+- Excellence feeds inspiration.
+- Consistency breeds excellence and make room for improvisation.
+- Everyone is learning. Evey level should be able to contribute.
+- Each part has a purpose. Deviation from the part should still adhere to the part's purpose.
+- No part is more important than the whole.
+- After we have built the house, then we have room to embellish it.

rehearsal band - first steps.txt

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+Send out initial email tomorrow
+follow up Sunday
+device Thursday on songs 
+deadline for interest 1st Sunday in June
+determine band by 2nd/3rd Sunday in June
+first practice last week in June