Today marks the first month anniversary of Counterpoint Cafe’s existence. Thanks to everyone who’s read, commented, and sent me feedback in other ways. You’ve given me some good ideas of what’s on peoples’ minds, and I hope to incorporate them into future posts.

The top 5 posts from the first month:

• On Playing in Church, Part 2
• 5 Tips for Better Practicing
• Fighting the Blues, Part 1
• Considering Colleges, Part 1
• Worship Music Resource Roundup

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(Photo: koalazy monkey)

The title I chose for this blog was inspired by two of my favorite things in life: music and coffee.

First, the music part:

Counterpoint is one of those music theory classes that most music majors dread. Writing two melodies that sound good together and don’t violate the “rules” of theory is HARD. I took a quarter of it in grad school and quickly learned that my innate counterpoint talents are fairly nonexistent. It did help me to appreciate even more the rock-star counterpoint of J.S. Bach, whom most musicians consider the master in this area.

To me, the idea of counterpoint (definition 1b above is what I have in mind) offers a fitting analogy to how God works out our lives. Seemingly independent events somehow relate together in a grand composition. The counterpoint in each of our lives is simultaneously woven into an even deeper level of intricacy as God weaves together the history of the world. And at the end of life we’ll look back and marvel at how everything DID work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

The second part of the title — Cafe — is pretty self-explanatory. I’m from Seattle; I like coffee. Furthermore, some of my best thinking/meetings/study sessions have taken place in coffee shops. So in my mind, the cafe concept is one of community and ideas and friendship. Hopefully, this blog project can promote these things.

Confession: I am a fairweather blogger. I’ve kept personal blogs on-and-off for close to 10 years, starting when Blogger, Livejournal, and Xanga were your platform options and you could choose between ugly and boring for your blogskins. I’ve never really publicized my blogs before because they were pretty much for myself and, frankly, most people wouldn’t find them interesting.

So what makes Counterpoint Cafe different? For starters, my focus for this blog is more practical than personal. Sure, it will draw from my experiences. But my hope is that it will educate and inform more than just express. Over the years as a student and now a professional in the arts, I’ve benefited immensely from others’ advice and teaching, and I hope CC will help me pass the knowledge on.

Secondly, I hope that eventually CC can help foster community among Christian artists and art-lovers out there. What issues and questions as an artist are you facing? I’m sure you’re not the only one. Post a comment or send me a message, and we’ll see if we can’t work it into the conversation.

Next time: the story behind the name.