Once Upon a Tree

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The Song Lives On. I asked at a choral clinic whether the directors wanted a "resurrection" song in a musical. The response was half and half. A musical of this sort is almost always presented before Easter Day. Some traditions would not think of singing a resurrection song before Easter Sunday. Other churches would not think of telling the story without Christ rising from the grave. This musical has been presented by choirs of 12 to I love the intimacy of presenting the work with piano accompaniment. The orchestra lends a whole different energy and power.

Last evening was the culmination of a really blessed spiritual and musical journey. At every rehearsal, someone pointed out a spiritual truth that God had revealed to them from listening to and studying the cantata. I feel as though we "experienced", along with Luke, the events that led up to the crucifixion and resurrection of our blessed Savior. Without a doubt, it was the finest cantata that we have ever done.

Once Upon a Tree

It really touched the listeners and the singers alike. The idea of telling the story from Luke's perspective is brilliant. I am so impressed with all of the original music that you put together for this work. It was amazing to watch and hear the choir internalize the message and then send it forth in great dramatic intrepretation. They all seemed to be caught up in the moment. There were tears from within the choir One asked me,"How can I sing with tears streaming down my cheek? Your marvelous gift of composition and the use of The Word lifted us all to a much higher Spiritual Level.

Of all the cantatas I've accompanied or sung over the years, none other has given me such satisfaction. You have created a most worthy choral work I especially appreciated the cohesiveness of the work as a whole; there is not one song that I wished were not there. The cantata is profound; congratulations seems not quite appropriate. Please accept my thanks for sharing your gift. The congregation truly felt the powerful words and music. Many were in tears. There are 16 in my choir and most had trouble walking back to the choir loft because they were shaking and weak in the knees The Pastor said he would like to repeat the Cantata in two years.

I want to congratulate you on a Cantata that has made me so proud to conduct. I have had more positive response with this musical work then any other Cantata I have done with this church choir. Many members of the church had tears in their eyes as we performed your work. When we sang the last word, the lights were raised and we received an ovation like none before. As I write this I can still feel the glory of telling the story through song last night so I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compelling words and your astounding music. It is obvious that you write your music with the heart of Jesus.

Many folks left church with tears in their eyes. Many of the choir members told me it was the most moving piece of Christian music they had ever heard. Elva Knavel, Archer, Florida. It's funny how you can a hear a story time and again, then hear it from a different perspective and have it strike you once more Your work has helped me rediscover the passion of passion week and bring alive the Easter story for me again. We all agreed that this cantata was a little more special, a little more inspiring than any others we had done in the past.

The general comments from our church family were that this was the most beautiful cantata ever. I believe you must have received a special inspiration from God's Spirit in your writing. Thank you for receiving and sharing it I have heard many many people both in the choir and in the congregation say this was the best, most moving cantata we have ever done. Our Adult Choir has never been so overwhelmed with God's presence as we were during our presentation of your cantata One lady came up and could hardly talk, she was so overcome with emotion.

My piano accompanist told me that this was the first Cantata that she has played where the power of God's love was such that she had tears in her eyes by the end of "The Song Lives On" and really had to concentrate to finish playing Another elderly lady came up to me and said that she has heard the "Easter" story many times and has always believed in Christ but it wasn't until this performance that "it all made sense.

It didn't matter what musical style they liked, they were all touched by the power of the message that you where able to capture when God led you in the Creation of this powerful Cantata. Thank you for the witness that you are giving the world through your compositions. I am writing to thank you for writing Once Upon a Tree.

My choir absolutely loved it: Church was especially well attended too, and it was very well received by all, lots of compliments all round. I wanted to thank you for writing this piece of music. It was received so well. The congregation was completely silent between pieces.

You know how you usually hear coughing and noise like a hospital. There was none of that. I have gushed more here: Jul 31, Serra rated it really liked it. A very cute read in which a leaf ponders about what his true aim is in life. I think that the basis of this novel is relatable; everyone in life asks what their aim is and at times can get frustrated when others have found their potential whereas they are left clueless.

I loved the details of the words creating the image of the leaf falling down, a very well thought out detail. All in all, if I ever have a child it would be a delight to read this story to them.

The story is about a leaf trying to find his purpose and learning about birds and caterpillars. The leaf gets so wrapped up in the animals around it, it forgets to appreciate the world around it. When it finally does it learns its purpose. The story is absolutely uplifting and relatable, even though it is from the point of view of a leaf.

I think that with the illustrations this is going to an even more gorgeous book all around and I cannot wait to find it on the shelves.

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Jul 25, Deborah rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Once Upon a Tree is full of lovely reflection from the point of view of a leaf whose aim in life is to fly and its conversation with a bird. It is written in prose style, and longs to be a picture book. I was sent a copy with the pictures. It is poetic and philosophical in thought. It is reflective with speaking abilities given not only to a bird, but to the main character a leaf as well. The leaf knows it needs to fly, but expresses its fears and misgivings, unable, unwilling to let go of a tre Once Upon a Tree is full of lovely reflection from the point of view of a leaf whose aim in life is to fly and its conversation with a bird.

The leaf knows it needs to fly, but expresses its fears and misgivings, unable, unwilling to let go of a tree. This is a lovely picture book, which I would use for story times. This review reflects the draft galley I received from NetGalley, and a copy I received from the publicist. This book is great for school and public libraries, preschools, homeschools, nature and science centers, and for gift giving.

The leaf worries that it's missing out, and ends up angry that everyone else seems to have things figured out. It's important for children to realize that they will discover themselves when the time is right, and while it may seem everyone else has it all figured out, we all go through seasons of changes and rediscovery. Jan 08, Vivian rated it it was ok Shelves: In which a perfectly happy leaf becomes filled with self-doubt and frustration, and even fury when he compares himself herself?

All the while the seasons have been advancing and the leaf, who has failed to notice anything but what it lacks, suddenly realizes that "the sunlight and the air and I have a job to do right here together. Both the story and illustrations suggest this was self-published.

It feels a bit forced. Jul 24, Paul Franco rated it really liked it. Jun 26, Emyrose8 rated it really liked it. The story was good too, but sometimes seemed a little too sappy. Could lead to good discussions with younger kids.

Aug 08, Christine rated it really liked it. A beautiful story about a leaf discovering it's role in the whole. I loved the idea of this story. It was so beautifully written you could easily picture the ever-changing trees. I can't wait to see the illustrations that will accompany it. It was such a soothing, relaxing book. Great for bedtime reading with the little one. Jul 13, Lori rated it really liked it Shelves: I was given a draft for review. This creatively written story is about a leafs journey as he goes about finding his purpose.

I appreciate the concept as it educates children about nature. My draft did not include any illustrations. Jul 08, Richelle Zirkle rated it it was amazing. This is a sweet story about a leaf trying to find what it is meant to do as it watches those around it follow the feelings in their hearts.

once upon a tree

The illustrations in this title are beautiful. They have this soft quality that draws the reader in. What I love most about them and enjoyed discussing with our three year old was the array of emotions that the illustrations capture from joy to concern and so many others in between. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Annalie Plaetz rated it it was amazing Jul 09, Nov 19, Nicole rated it it was amazing. The leaf is happy being a leaf at the top of a tree until one day when he begins to question his purpose. A bird living in the tree learns to fly, and the leaf wonders if he should also fly. Soon a caterpillar arrives and cocoons itself, later turning into a beautiful butterfly.

Again the leaf wonders if he should fly. The bird and butterfly encourage the leaf to look within for the answers, and to trust and follow his feelings. Eventually the leaf decides to fly in his own way by letting go of the tree branch and floating gracefully into the autumn wind. The watercolor illustrations are soft and gently expressive, and convey a nurturing and encouraging warmth that flows beautifully with the story. The idea that everyone naturally has a unique purpose, and that this is revealed from within when we are ready, is a hopeful and deeply affirming message for children.

Munai rated it it was amazing Jan 06, Jeslyn Zhou rated it really liked it Apr 24,

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