The Joyful Notes program encourages children and adults to make a joyful noise unto the Lord which is encouraged in Psalms 98:4. In Psalms 95:2 we are exhorted to "...come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him." Joyful Notes teaches people how to play the guitar. Psalms 33:2 "Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp." The approach that is utilized is to show individuals basic chord structures that can be played. This enables the person to play many hymns and songs of praise. The Joyful Notes program was started by congregation member, Andy Ortiz. It meets on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for one hour group lessons. A teen and adult session is meeting at 10:30 a.m. Please contact the church office for more information.
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Andy Ortiz Biographical Information
Through the years the Lord has blessed me with the gift of music. Starting at the age of 6 taking my first guitar lessons, I have always looked to have music be a very big part of my life. The Lord blessed me with the first opportunity to serve him musically in an all boys choir at the age of 6 and maintained that post to the age of 8. In high school I then focused on music, learning the Saxophone and Trumpet along with percussion. Continuing my studies in guitar and piano all through high school I received the New York All State Band Honors.
Throughout my high school years I served as a pianist and organist for four churches in the Springfield Gardens New York Area. Through the affiliations of the Brooklyn-Queens Roman Catholic Dioceses, I had filled as a guest pianist, organist or guitarist where needed on special worship events. I directed a children's choir for Christ The King Church in New York (of 53 kids) for several years.
Moving forward I studied for a two years at The College of Staten Island in New York and majored in Music Performance and Education. My love for Jazz brought me the opportunity to work as a studio musician for Hit Factory Recording Studio of New York, Otillia Recording Studio in Queens, New York. This then opened up the opportunity to become a Local 802 member (local musicians union of New York). I have been blessed to perform with some very noted Jazz musicians of our time. Continuing as a musician for hire I have played with many different Jazz Trios and Quartets and Ensembles, throughout the New York Jazz circuit.
Later switching genres I played as a support musician for a Beatle mania group and then later an Oldies Band catering to the Long Island New York Region. Performing as a solo Jazz artist for several years within the New York Region I have produced and recorded three secular Jazz and contemporary albums, which have had some success. But it was not until I surrendered to the Lord and became born again that the real success has started to happen.
The Lord blessed us with a great Christian family in New York (Plainedge Baptist Church). Where I had the great privilege to not only be a part of the 28-piece orchestra but to also assist in the ministry where I managed the administration of music selections, chart writing, rehearsals and performance. It was here that the Lord put on my heart to give freely what he has given me. He placed on my heart to complete a Praise and Worship CD. All of the music is free to download in hopes that it will touch someones heart so that it may be prepared to receive the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.
While in New York the Lord placed on my heart to start a program to teach children how to play the guitar for free. No strings, no surprises. It was met with great success. Now we have started the program here in Delaware and we are looking forward to what God is going to do with this ministry.
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