Instruments of Worship

Send Casey a text!! It's been a great ride!  Thank you so much for listening!  Praise God for a great year!  Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook ! Check out more episodes on Buzzsprout and on Youtube !

Send Casey a text!! Do you need some encouragement as you head into this busy Christmas season? How do we navigate it well as Christian classical musicians? In today’s episode, we talk about how to worship the Lord by embracing all the extra musical opportunities this time of year brings. We’ll explore how to use our influence and our gifts for His glory, and reflect on the sweet truth that Jesus...

Send Casey a text!! As Christians in the classical music world, being a light for Jesus in a secular profession can feel challenging and confusing at times. That’s why I think you’ll love my conversation with Courtney Huffman Frye! You’ll come away encouraged by Scripture and equipped by her story to step boldly into the places God has called you.   Courtney is not only an accomplished soprano, bu...

Send Casey a text!! SURPRISE!! The Instruments of Worship Podcast is now offering two brand-new music tote bags! These bags are practical, beautiful, and designed to be a daily reminder of worship. The verse on the front is Psalm 33:3: “Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout."  My hope is that these bags encourage your heart with Truth when you need it mos...

Send Casey a text!! Handel’s Messiah is one of the most iconic and impactful works of music ever written. With lyrics drawn straight from Scripture and set to breathtakingly beautiful music, it’s no wonder this masterpiece continues to inspire generations. Today, I’m joined by Phil Witzig, who conducts and leads the Morton Community Chorus & Orchestra in their annual performance of Messiah. We...

Send Casey a text!! A musician’s life can look different from day to day, week to week, and even season to season. As Christian musicians, we may deeply desire to follow the Lord’s will, yet it’s not always clear what that looks like. What’s the next step, Lord? Where are You leading? That’s what we’re talking about today. Life is full of uncertainties — sometimes God clearly reveals His will, and...

Send Casey a text!! Have you heard that Johann Sebastian Bach was a devoted Christian but never really learned why people say that?  In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Rebekah Franklin to explore who Bach was—not just as a composer, but as a person of faith. Together, we uncover how Bach’s belief in God shaped his music and inspired him to create with excellence, even when his work wasn’t ful...

Send Casey a text!! Have you heard what Forrest Frank said that has everyone talking? In today’s episode, we take a closer look at the truths we can learn from his recent decision not to attend the Dove Awards. No matter what kind of musician you are, Forrest’s words invite us to examine our own hearts — the parts drawn toward self-exalting, recognition, and praise. As Christian musicians, our dee...

Send Casey a text!! In today’s episode, I had the joy of sitting down with my dear friend, Elsah Luan! Elsah is a violinist who is currently finishing up school, all while staying busy with a variety of creative projects. She runs thriving YouTube and Instagram pages that point people toward Jesus and encourage them to stay true to who God uniquely created them to be. Elsah inspires her audience t...

Send Casey a text!! In today’s culture, we are told that we decide who we are, we choose what things define us, we decide what gives us worth and significance.  We live our lives consumed in the quest for identity and worth, especially as classical musicians.  That quest, however, is a never ending slippery slope that will end up sliding you down to ruin.  But God.  God, in His love and grace, cre...

Send Casey a text!! As musicians, we can be so quick to forget our identity is found in being made in the image of God and being a child of the King.  We opt to substitute something so magnificent for something so fleeting... finding worth in our music.  Mia Kelso is an incredible violinist who has ventured from playing in the Dallas Symphony to fiddling at the Grand Ole Opry and beyond.  I had th...

Send Casey a text!! Today’s episode is going to piggy back off of last week’s episode called, “'Sneaky Jesus' in the Classroom with Dr. Kelly Hollingsworth."  If you haven’t listened to that one, I would highly encourage you to listen to it!  Briefly in my discussion with Dr. Hollingsworth, we talked about how as music teachers who are Christians, our teaching will be and should be...

Send Casey a text!! Do you ever wonder how you can show off Jesus to your students?  Today, we get to learn to do just that from the wonderful, Dr. Kelly Hollingsworth.  Known for her investment in students, her engaging teaching style, and love for the Lord, Dr. Hollingsworth will describe what she calls, "the art of teaching," in today's episode.  We will also discuss how she has...

Send Casey a text!! Having Biblical community to do life with is such a gift from the Lord, and most certainly for us as classical musicians!  In today's episode, I will share from my experience starting a Bible study at the Baylor School of Music, and tips on how to get one started where you are!  My hope is that after hearing today's episode, you will leave with a renewed sense of exci...

Send Casey a text!! To me, the Sight and Sound shows are one of the best examples of excellence in all types of art forms to the glory of God!  If you are not familiar with Sight and Sound Theaters, you need to check them out ASAP!  You will surely be encouraged by their boldness for Christ in the arts.  Today, I have the extreme privilege of talking with Haleigh Swansen, the Sight and Sound Conse...

Send Casey a text!! WELCOME BACK to Season 2 of the Instruments of Worship Podcast!!  I hope you have had a great summer.  My break from the podcast was very refreshing, but I'm really looking forward to what awaits this fall!  Today we kick off things by hearing about what the Lord reminded me this summer and then we take a dive into the importance of worship in our lives as musicians.   Dis...

Send Casey a text!! Check out today's quick episode for an update on the podcast!!  Happy Summer and I'll see you in the fall:) Thanks so much for listening! Make sure to check back every Monday for a new episode! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook ! Check out more episodes on Buzzsprout and on Youtube !

Send Casey a text!! Today we have the opportunity to talk to musician, motivational speaker, and Christian, George Dennehy!  You actually may have seen a video that has recently gone viral of him! This is a video of George singing and playing guitar, but he’s playing guitar with his feet because he was born without arms!  The Lord has been faithful to help Goerge overcome many obstacles and has ta...

Send Casey a text!! Today we have the opportunity to talk to Ava Shedd!  Ava recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and has recently started a podcast called Fertilize My Faith.  We both have a heart for sharing the love of Jesus so today we have a conversation on how we can do that as Christian classical musicians. Check out Ava's podcast, Fertilize My Fai...

Send Casey a text!! Today we have the immense privilege of getting to hear from the kindness and wisdom of Sarah Gentry!  Sarah has had an extensive violin career, but the Lord used her 2019 cancer diagnosis to teach her many things.  She is kind enough to invite us into that and share with us today. Check out these books that Sarah referenced in today's episode!  When People Are Big and God...

Send Casey a text!! Have you ever wanted to play on your church worship team, but have been intimidated or confused about reading chord charts?  For classical musicians trained to read notated music, the idea of improvising can be very scary and very well hold us back from using our musical gifts to serve our local church and worship the Lord.   After today's episode, I know you will feel mor...

Send Casey a text!! Nerves? Self doubt? Negative self talk? Fear of failure?  As a musician, it is very likely that these feelings are common for you.  In today’s episode, we are taking away key points from the book, “The Inner Game of Music” which helps with these types of issues. Although, I thought it would be interesting for me to come along behind these two intelligent authors and infuse thei...

Send Casey a text!! Happy Holy Week!  Today, we are going to take a look at the ever popular hymn, “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus,” as we remember the person and the event that changed the world.  Whether you’ve known Jesus almost your whole life or you don’t know Him at all, I hope you listen to this podcast, because there is good news for you today!  Check out this short devotional by John Pipe...

Send Casey a text!! Have you ever wondered what God thinks about the arts?  Today, we are going to get a glimpse into God's heart for the arts through looking at the creation of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-11).  This is important to know because the devil has distorted the arts in many ways, but God is in the business of redemption.  Will you be faithful to the Lord as an artist in a very god...

Send Casey a text!! When you play your instrument or perform, are you trying to be a servant or a star?  It's a convicting questions for any musician.  Today, we look at Jesus' example of servanthood as we break down how we might serve Him and others through our music.     Discussion Questions -- Try reflecting on your own or with a group:) Have you ever thought about this world as a cou...