Declaring His Name 2019

Declaring His Name is a youth choral festival held on November 1-2, 2019. This year will be the 9th annual choral festival.

Declaring His Name is a weekend event where your youth choir, home school group, Christian school choir, or an individual young person may come and lift up their voices in song. It provides a fun opportunity to learn with other young people the delight of making music and how to sing unto our God in an organized choir. This event is for 7th grade through young adult (college age or 20’s) persons who love to declare God’s Name through the art of Music!

We are gearing up for a fantastic time of praising God in song and fellowshipping with believers. This year’s theme is The Blessed Hope. After rehearsing together on Friday night and Saturday, the event culminates with the young people providing a sacred concert—Saturday, 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Milltown, WI. All are invited to this worship service! Watch last year’s concert at: www.milltownbaptist.org/sermons-archive/dhn2018

Registration Times and Housing

Singers arrive Friday evening. Registration will be from 6:00-6:25 p.m. Overnight housing will be available Friday evening for the singers.

Check out a testimonial video highlighting the unique features of Declaring His Name.

Registration Forms

Looking for additional registration forms, check out:

Guest Conductor: Dr. David Ledgerwood, affectionately called Dr. Ledge by students, is a long-standing and cherished music educator. He has taught at Maranatha Baptist University since 1986. He is currently the Chair of the Department of Music and directs the Chamber Singers choir. In his earlier days before teaching in Christian circles, Dr. Ledgerwood was a pianist in an Air Force Field Band. He was led to the Lord by Michael James who had taught at Pillsbury and Maranatha. Dr. Ledgerwood received a master’s degree in sacred music at Pensacola under the Garlocks plus a second master’s degree in music theory and composition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, Ledgerwood earned his DMA in Music Education from Boston University. “Dr. Ledgerwood is fervent in serving God, passionate about music, humble in spirit, and delightful in personality. He truly cares about the success of his students. Not only during my time at MBU, but before and after I was a student at Maranatha, Dr. Ledgerwood took time to answer my questions and to help make me successful. I am so excited that Dr. Ledgerwood is coming to direct at Declaring His Name.” Jared Mielke

A neat quote by Dr. Ledgerwood: “Determine to learn everything you can and apply yourself.
Try to keep a biblical perspective of yourself and your art (sometimes that’s hard to do). Try to be humble and realize you don’t know everything (it won’t take long to learn this.) Continue to learn and grow– it’s a wonderful privilege. The idea of being able to continue to learn – that’s one of the blessings God has given us as humans.”

Director: Jared Mielke received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Maranatha Baptist University and Master of Arts in Church Music from Maranatha Baptist Seminary. Jared operates kNOW Music Studio and is a well rounded musician. He has studied piano for 18 years, and organ for 13 years. He has also received training in conducting at both the undergrad and graduate level. He is passionate in helping other people enjoy praising God in music.

Accompanist: Joy Mielke received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sacred Piano from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She serves as a pastor’s wife & has taught piano for over 37 years. Joy loves to share God’s gift of music with others. It has been a real joy to have her play the piano every year since Declaring His Name started in 2011. 

Participants’ Dress Code

     – Ladies may come modestly casual. No tight or low “scooping” shirts, inappropriate writing on shirts, tight pants, or ripped jeans. To wear with their polo for the sacred concert, they must bring a nice long, loose fitting skirt* (without any printing on it or front slits) and close toed dress shoes (no flip flops or tennis shoes).

*Skirt options include: jean, navy, or black

     – Men may come modestly casual. No tight shirts, tight or ripped jeans, or inappropriate writing on shirts. Men must bring dressy khaki pants and dress shoes (no tennis shoes) to wear with their polo for the concert.

     – Brown dress shoes for the concert are preferable for ladies and men but are not required.

Rehearsing and Recordings

All participants are responsible to have their music well prepared. This means already knowing their parts well before coming! A recommended commitment of 20-30 minutes a day for 3-4 days a week is suggested. This preparation is essential. We look forward to your attendance!

Here are recordings to help with learning the songs and to hear how they go.

Amanda Lendt, who is bringing a group of singers, graciously recorded rehearsal tracks for several of the songs. Check them out at: https://mega.nz/#F!jzBmwaJQ!QuUdAxlBNiygcTgYqi-R1A

I could not find a recording with ladies singing, but here is John Levitt’s arrangement of “Deep River.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEcPCan2uVM

Here are various rehearsal tracks for “There’s Something Better than Going to Heaven.”