Yes, I had my very first songwriting class this morning, and one of the exercises was on alliteration! Fun, fun. I can’t say that I’ll become a great songwriter, but I sure enjoyed the group class …. It was challenging and fast paced.

It seems I was not the only person who wasn’t able to sleep last night due to anticipation and excitement of the first day …. Throughout the day, many professed their inability to sleep. I was up at 5:00 am and ready to go …. Which would be 4:00 am in my own time zone! Whoa! What was I thinking?!!! I’m really feeling it tonight ….

The day started off with breakfast and Chapel. Chapel consisted of singing, prayer, and a few words of encouragement from Steve Hurst from Psalm 133. He spoke on how in verse one the word “dwell” in the Hebrew means sing. Applying that to our day he said that he wants us to think of our words as songs and what our songs are singing. After Chapel, I went to an introduction to my group piano class. Josh Singletary spoke during class, introducing everyone to the teachers and having us introduce ourselves to each other. Everyone that wanted to, could say their name, goals and where they were from. I was very impressed because some of the teachers wrote down the goals of the students that they would be teaching. When I walked into my private lesson with Josh Singletary, he knew exactly what I wanted to learn and dove right in! (I’ll get to that later!)

Songwriting 101

Next on the list was the songwriting class by Stephen Nix. We talked about AAPA, (Alliteration, Assonance and Passive Alliteration). I know, I’m still trying to figure it out too! It was a very fast paced class, with a lot of ideas and exercises I would never think of! After the songwriting group class, it was already time for lunch!

Me & Josh

The highlight of my day had to be my private piano lesson with Josh Singletary. You know Josh and his zany personality – he kept things lively, but I was surprised at his teaching style …. He really is a great teacher.

Private Lesson #1

Just from the group class in the morning he knew what I wanted to learn and not only taught me that, but more! I’ll relate a silly thing that happened during my lesson. I went to use the sustain pedal, and my foot slipped on the floor from my shoe. Josh told me to just take my shoe off, which I did. That worked fine, except when I had to stand while Josh sat at the piano to demonstrate a few things on the keys. I felt kinda like a flamingo with one shoe on and one shoe off!

Triumphant Quartet

This evenings concert in Dixon Hall featured Triumphant Quartet. What a delightful concert! They are so entertaining in so many ways. I love their emphasis on ministry, their sense of humor …. And of course their amazing piano player, Jeff Stice! Jeff played Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho – his arrangement is my favorite!!! I can see why Dianna absolutely adores this group and why they were voted favorite quartet of the year.

Forum Friends!

It was my pleasure to meet Mr. & Mrs. York, RogasingerforHim and Dianna tonight! I was able to grab a pic moments before the concert started. I was late arriving for the evening concert b/c Dustin kept us in performance class on overtime. LOL Anyway, Dianna won’t get a chance to leave tomorrow without a pic …. She’s so enjoyable to talk with.   Pray for safe traveling for these dear ones as we were having some intense thunderstorms coming through.

Sorry this is rather short, but it is late and sleep is calling ….