Why Power Point?

(Originally appeared in the LISFJ, May 2008 issue)

This page’s function will be to inform the community of little-known facts, to address concerns, and to answer questions. That way, we can all understand why we do things the way that we do. This quarter I’d like to discuss our new PowerPoint projector, and the reasons why we got it. To start, let’s go over the history of music here at Long Island Tres Dias.

When LITD started in the 1970s, Tres Dias International wanted to have a cohesive collection of songs that all the Tres Dias communities would use. This collection was known as the Green Book. With the exception of special music, only Green Book music could be played at Long Island Tres Dias functions. Later, in the 1990s, our community paid for a CCLI license so that we could use copyrighted music. This was primarily used for theme songs and for special music.

By 2001, when we inquired, we discovered that other Tres Dias communities no longer shared our restriction of non-Green-book music. They were using a variety of music that respected their inter-denominational background. That year our own community lifted the prohibition of non-Green-book music; we collected a group of more contemporary songs, and the Blue Book was born. Other music was allowed to be used at the musicians’ discretion, but LITD only provided those two books. It was around this time that musicians began to use Overhead Projectors on weekends. Overhead transparencies were a step forward, but sometimes the words weren’t easy to read. In addition, the box of Overheads and the projector were large and cumbersome.

By 2007, our Green books were in sad shape. (We had almost 450 copies, most of them without covers.) When we decided to purchase new copies, however, we were told that they were out of print: the copyrights had expired, the other Tres Dias communities were no longer using them, and they would not be reprinted.

Our solution: we purchased a portable laptop projector to display song lyrics onto a screen. This setup has several advantages: we are able to project clear, large, easy-to-read words; it only needs to be set up once in a weekend; it eliminates the need to purchase books; it is less for the musicians to carry; and it can incorporate Green Book songs, Blue Book songs, traditional hymns, and additional music. If it can be typed, it can be used—this setup allows the musicians greater variety of song usage. Furthermore, many songs were already typed from the old Tres Dias books.

Change is necessary, but change can also cause stress, and take time to adjust to. This is a new system for our musicians to learn. It take more preparation to set up a songfest, as a PowerPoint presentation needs pre-planning. Our musicians will need to be flexible enough to adjust to different music styles. Our musicians will also need help in learning to work out all the technological glitches: there is a learning curve.

What I’m asking from our community is gentleness and patience for our musicians. We need to encourage them as they go through this time of learning, and as they find balance. The spirit I would like to see is one of LOVE. We are a LOVE community. If hymns aren’t your thing, sing with gusto anyway--for the Lord and for your brothers and sisters who do love hymns. If choruses aren’t your thing, sing with gusto anyway--for the Lord and for your brothers and sister who do love choruses. Make an effort to be open. We all have favorites, but remember, "It’s not about us. It’s about Him." What matters is, "are the words God-glorifying?"

One final thought. The traditional hymns that we love are old now, but they were new once. They were written using the style of the popular music at the time: of songs sung in taverns and pubs. When they were first introduced into the churches, there was an uproar. People thought that they were too personal. They wanted to sing what they were familiar with… The Psalms are the hymn book of the Bible, but only the words were passed down, not the music sheets. Each generation could make its own music for these God-glorifying words.

In our community we have many generations represented. We have many different styles, traditions, preferences, aesthetics, and ways of being. That is part of the beauty of Tres Dias. Our symbol is the rainbow: many hues, many colors, all contributing to the glorification of God. Our beauty is in diversity. Our Tres Dias community needs to respect the differences between our members, and to represent that diversity to today’s generations.

Some thoughts for your consideration,
Secretariat