Winter has been quite busy – full of ministry.  Training the High School Worship Ensemble at Valley Christian High School has been a positive influence on the 1300 students they lead in worship during the weekly chapels.  They even came to Redwood Chapel to lead worship one Sunday and did a fantastic job.  I’m so proud of them.

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Weekly leading worship at Redwood Chapel has been such a blessing.  Earlier this month, I held the second Upreach Worship Gathering which went very well:  Singing His Praise, Sharing His Love, and Blessing His Name.

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I am continuing to teach guitar in San Jose, Los Altos, and Mount Hermon.  This month, I have added two new students who are eager to use their talents for Christ.  One thing conveniently added is that lessons and purchases through Heartfelt Music Ministry can now be made by Debit or Credit cards.

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BASS Bay Area Church Workers Convention

March 2 & 3 (Fri & Sat), Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley (19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546).  I will be teaching three workshops on Worship Infusion, Dynamic Guitar in Worship, and Worship Band Interactive.  The conference is huge and a blast for all, so you’ve got to try and make it at least one day!  More info at: http://bassconvention.org/Index.cfm

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Workshop on Improving Performance

March 11 (Sun), 2:30pm-3:30pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on Improving Performance.  I will take you through dynamic performance practices to improve your performance in front of others. Using your skill, personality, leadership, communication, and relational abilities, you will improve in confidence and quality performance practices.  These workshops will culminate in recitals in May.  $20.00 per workshop.  SMI students are free.

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Other Coming Events

In April, I’ll be doing a concert with Bob Bennett in Atascadero (4/13) and leading worship for South Hills Men’s Retreat at Mission Springs (4/27-29).  In May, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Del Mar in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (5/26).  In June, I’ll be performing at Spirit West Coast Monterey in the Hope Christian Bookstore booth (6/23).  I will also be setting up concert and training workshops for the coming months, so stay tuned!

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Continue to pray for Heartfelt Music Ministry, for me and my family.  You are an important part of giving this ministry a high impact influence on the Bay Area and beyond.  Thank you so much for your support!

We wish you a very…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

…and a…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Teaching music at Valley Christian Schools, leading worship at Redwood Chapel Community Church, and teaching private guitar through Heartfelt Music Ministry has been such a blessing this fall.   I prayed at the end of last summer that God would place me in “high impact” ministries to continue to train and encourage His people and build His kingdom.  He answered my prayer!  I feel so fortunate to do what I enjoy and see others use their gifts for God’s glory.

November had some added ministry with leading music for Mount Hermon’s Family Thanksgiving Retreat.  December culminated with a beautiful evening at Redwood Chapel called Festival of Carols (I played guitar), a series of concerts with Valley Christian School’s Conservatory of the Arts groups at the California Theater downtown San Jose, and completed my first semester at VCS just yesterday.  2012 will have some nice things to look forward to:  Performing a series of concerts in January & February (more info to come); leading workshops at the BASS convention in March;  in April, I’ll be joining Bob Bennett for a concert in Atascadero as well as lead workshops for M0unt Hermon’s Christian Songwriter’s Conference.

I hope you get a break to relax over Christmas and New Years.  May God’s incarnation make a significant impact on you this year as you make room for Jesus in your heart like never before.  2012 is almost here!  ~ Reggie & the HMM Board

I hope you are doing well and leaning on God’s deep love for you.  This month has been filled with coaching, teaching, and leading for me.  I’m also thankful that the ministry goes beyond who I see day to day.  Here’s some encouraging quotes:

“I just wanted to thank you for singing my girls to sleep every night.  Truly you have come full circle, Matthew and I grew up with your music and now so are our girls.  They love your music and during nap time I heard Ches singing “Ain’t Nobody”.  Thanks for sharing your gift, this family truly appreciates it.”  ~ Corrie

“Hi Reggie.  It’s so exciting to see all that you’re doing for the Kingdom.  I listened to a few of your videos and your voice has not changed, but boy do you ever rock that guitar even better than you did at 16 (and you were fabulous then!).  I’m so pleased to say I know you, Reggie.”  ~ Rebecca

Last Sunday, the Upreach Worship Night with me and the band Cede went very well.  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede joined together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and encouraging stories.   The next event begins Thanksgiving day at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center:

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.  Hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving weekend!

Truly Thankful, 

Reggie Coates
Executive Director,
Heartfelt Music Ministry

October Update

Fall is well underway and there has been significant transitions for me.  I concluded my Interim Worship Leader position at Open Door Church Mountain View at the end of August after a wonderful 8 months of ministry.  Yet, Heartfelt Music Ministry continues full speed ahead.  Last month, my boys and I led worship for Silver Spur Christian Conference Center’s Men’s Retreat and had a blast.  Great to see so many men’s lives changed in Christ!

Tomorrow, I’ll be teaching a guitar workshop on Alternate Tunings at Guitar Showcase in San Jose.  Next Saturday, I’ll be leading the Worship Infusion Conference with talented friends in Keyboard, Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, and Audio training.  In November, Cede and I will be in concert in Castro Valley at Redwood Chapel’s Family Worship Night.  Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be leading worship for Mount Hermon’s Family Retreat.   Plus, I continue to teach private lessons to 23 students in Los Altos, San Jose, Mount Hermon and Castro Valley.

I am now teaching music and worship in San Jose at the Conservatory of the Arts with Valley Christian Schools.  Most of my classes are at the High School (Worship Band, Music Technology, Private Guitar Lessons, and Worship Advisor), but I also teach the Cadet Band at the Middle School and a Fun Guitar Class at the Elementary School.  What an opportunity to mentor and nurture these young leaders.

I’m excited to start ministering at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley as their Director of Worship Ministries.  They have a rich history of good music and I’m glad to be a part of that.  Continuing in a weekly ministry will keep my worship leading skills honed and keep me accountable to folks who see me on a regular basis.  Their Sunday morning gathering is now called New Community with an emphasis on being Christ centered:  Reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out, because He reached down to us.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Guitar Workshop on Alternate Tunings

October 9 (Sun), 2:00pm-3:00pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on guitar alternate tunings.  We’ll cover Dropped-D, Double Dropped-D, Open G, DADGAD, and even look at DADDAD with a wild song I wrote called Morning Come Lately. The cost is only $10.00 which includes handouts (free for SMI students).

Worship Infusion Conference & Concert with Reggie

October 15 (Sat), 1:00pm-7:45pm, First Presbyterian Church in Richmond (3415 Barrett Ave., Richmond, CA 94805).  I will be leading workshops and teaching at the general sessions at this half day worship conference with First Presbyterian Church in Richmond.  I’ll open at 1:00pm with a General Session on Worship Infusion and there will be two breakout sessions with classes listed below.  Dinner is provided from 5:30pm-6:30pm, and I’ll be doing a concert at the end of the conference at 6:30pm.  The cost for the day is only $15.00 (go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/workshops/ to register).  The classes will be:

• Intro to Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Experienced Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Intro to Guitar in Worship – Austin Coates
• Experienced Guitar in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Drums in Worship – Joe Pacheco
• Singing in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Bass Guitar in Worship – Nils Johnson
• Audio Engineering in Worship – Greg Kopchinski

Family Worship Night with Reggie and Cede

November 20 (Sun), 6:00pm-7:15pm, Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley (19300 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA  94546).  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede are joining together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and stories to encourage you in your faith.  The night will center around the joy we experience in Christ.  Since the release of their new CD called New Beginnings, Cede continues to hold the #1 position at Reverb Nation.  Check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.

Last week, I had the privileged of leading the pre-schoolers in worship for Open Door Church Mountain View’s Vacation Bible School.  Every morning, about 40 of them would rotate through to get a story and “sing-a-long with Reggie.”  It was a blast and they were very sweet.

National Anthem at Infineon Raceway

Sunday, July 24th, proved to be a tremendous opportunity to encourage some of the Christians at the Infineon Raceway.  I led worship for the three Chapels in the morning and then played the National Anthem for the opening ceremonies.  Racers for Christ is an organization that any of the racers can join to show that they are Christians.  Their race cars bear a sticker that says “Racers for Christ.”  Chaplains who are a part of Racers for Christ realize these racers don’t get a regular Sunday morning church experience.

Reggie with Chaplains Bob and Jim

The chapels are very encouraging and the chaplains walk around all day praying for the racers and lifting them up.  It was such a blast to see individuals at the chapels and then see them in their racing gear getting into their cool cars.   Playing the National Anthem was a blast!  Being in the booth with the announcers and a curious little boy listening on, I did a kind of “Jimmy Hendrix” style of the Star Spangled Banner on electric guitar.

Matt Redman at NWLC

The 2011 National Worship Leader Conference in Kansas was a rich time of learning and worship.  Over 1500 worship leaders from all over the world gathered together to “fill their cup” with helpful lessons on music, worship, voice, guitar, theology, organizing & planning, and many other workshops over the five day event.  I attended some guitar classes and one on leading a Student Choir.  I had the privileged of teaching two workshops on Playing Bass Guitar in a Worship Band.  Each evening provided a variety of artists leading in song and worship such as Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Rebecca St. James, Brenton Brown, Kari Jobe,  Gungor and Tim Hughes.  There was relevant teaching each morning in the general sessions.  I was surprised to see some attendees who were old friends…had some good fellowship!

Student Choir workshop

Matt Redman at NWLC

Rebecca St. James at NWLC

Kari Jobe at NWLC

Reflecting on the Fourth of July, we can be thankful to God for freedom!  With less than two months left for summer, it’s good to plan it out and make sure the important things don’t slip by.  The following events are ones you will not want to miss.  Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive in God’s strength to lead others toward intimacy with God.

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Cede and Reggie in Concert This Friday, July 8, at 6:30pm

Cede is holding its second concert since the release of the new CD called New Beginnings.  It will be at Christ Community Church, 1000 S Park Victoria Dr Milpitas, CA 95035, at 6:30pm.  I will open up the concert with a 45 minute set, then the band will be playing hot tunes off the CD and some kickin’ praise songs like Trading My Sorrows and Ain’t Nobody.  I’m playing acoustic guitar with these 8 other skillful musicians.  Listen to the songs and check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.  Come join us Friday, July 8^th at 6:30pm (in the Coffee Shop venue).

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Guitar Camps Begin Saturday, July 9th

I will be holding four one day Guitar Camps this summer in my home, limited to a five participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  They are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Because they are limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  The curriculum is more intensive  in order to get a lot in, but the camps are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  The camps are held in beautiful Mount Hermon.  They include three hours of instruction, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD, 2011), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 9 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 13-Adult)
• July 16 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• July 23 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• August 13 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
• August 20 – Advanced Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
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Christian Guitarist Fellowship

The Christian Guitarist Fellowship is back.  Everyone is invited from beginners to advanced players, from rockers to alternative players, from acoustic to electric players, from teenagers to the ageless.  Come and meet guitarists from all over the Bay Area. Heartfelt Music Ministry is holding the Christian Guitarist Fellowship to help motivate you in your guitar playing and encourage you in Christ. There will be a short lesson for all levels; we will have breakout “jam” sessions where you pair off with those in their your skill level; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and we’ll discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area. It will be a fun fellowship and it’s free! Even those who have never played before, but want to learn to play the guitar are welcome. It will be at Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040, on Sunday, July 10^th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

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National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 24, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship for.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Christian racers are so grateful for the chapel fellowship and teaching during these events.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

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National Worship Leader Conference

I’ll be teaching some workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference, July 18-21, in Kansas.  Their emphasis this year is Engaging With God.  If any of you would like to go, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code COATES.  It is a wonderful time for renewal and inspiration with some of the world’s leading artists, teachers and worship leaders (Jack Hayford, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Rebecca St. James, to name a few). Go to the National Worship Leader Conference website for more details.

I hope your summer is off to a good start!  Catching some gardening, jogging, piano & bass playing in between ministry has been fun for me (as well as playing guitar).  I mostly enjoy and appreciate my family.  School is out and we get to be a little more spontaneous.  I’m ministering part time at Open Door Church in Mountain View through August which takes up most of my time right now.  Through Heartfelt Music, I’m investing in equipping students through lessons and coaching.  The following are some training events in which you may want to join me.

Online Lessons Available

Strumming and Finger Picking, Level 1.  The first guitar course in the Essential Guitar Worship Series at MusicDojo.com is designed to introduce students to the most common righ t-hand strumming and picking techniques used within contemporary worship music. This course will help you to gain facility with the flat pick and will introduce you to finger picking techniques.  This course is perfect for beginner guitarists who can comfortably play chords, but need to add consistency to their right hand strumming and picking.  This two week course began yesterday, June 13th and is open for enrollment until June 20th.  You can start anytime this week.  It’s $29.95 for 10 lessons.   Click here to find out more.

Guitar Camps this Summer

I will be holding five one day Guitar Camps this summer in my home, limited to a five participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because they are limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  The curriculum is more intensive  in order to get a lot in, but the camps are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  The camps are held in beautiful Mount Hermon.  They include three hours of instruction, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD, 2011), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• June 25 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• July 9 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 13-Adult)
• July 16 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• August 13 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
• August 20 – Advanced Guitar Camp (13-Adult)

Songwriting Camp this Summer

I will be holding a one day Songwriting Camp this summer in my home, limited to a 10 participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes four hours of instruction and sharing songs, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• August 27 – Songwriting Camp (13-Adult)

Christian Guitarist Fellowship

The Christian Guitarist Fellowship is back.  Everyone is invited from beginners to advanced players, from rockers to alternative players, from acoustic to electric players, from teenagers to the ageless.  Come and meet guitarists from all over the Bay Area. Heartfelt Music Ministry is holding the Christian Guitarist Fellowship to help motivate you in your guitar playing and encourage you in Christ. There will be a short lesson for 4 levels (beginning, Intermediate, Experienced, and Advanced); we will have 2 breakout “jam” sessions where guitarists pair off with those in your skill level and share with each other; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area. It will be a fun fellowship and it’s free! Even those who have never played before, but want to learn to play the guitar are welcome. It will be at Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040, on Sunday, July 10^th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 24, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship for.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

National Worship Leader Conference

I’ll be teaching some workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference, July 18-21, in Kansas.  There emphasis this year is Engaging With God.  If any of you would like to go, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code COATES.  It is a wonderful time for renewal and inspiration with some of the worlds leading artists, teachers and worship leaders (Jack Hayford, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Rebecca St. James, to name a few). Go to the National Worship Leader Conference website for more details.

Would You Consider Contributing?

We are very grateful for your support through prayer, attending events, and purchasing our products.  Some of you have been contributing monthly for years which is an important reason for our success in touching people’s lives.  We would greatly appreciate any financial contribution you could make at this time.  Go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/about/support/ to either donate a one-time gift or begin a monthly contribution.  Any amount would be appreciated.  The school guitar courses are out for the summer and so we have a need for special support.  Your tax deductible gifts help us effectively hit our target of leading others toward intimacy with God.

Cede and Reggie in Concert Friday, July 8, at 6:30pm

Cede is holding it’s second concert since the release of our new CD called New Beginnings.  It will be at Christ Community Church, 1000 S Park Victoria Dr Milpitas, CA 95035, at 6:30pm.  I will open up the concert with some worship songs, then the band will be playing hot tunes off the CD and some kickin’ praise songs like Trading My Sorrows and Ain’t Nobody.  I’m playing acoustic guitar with these 8 other phinominal studio musicians.  Listen to the songs and check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest .  Come join us Friday, July 8^th at 6:30pm, at their coffee shop venue.

Sunday, July 10, 2011, 2:30pm-4:30pm

Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA  94040

Calling all guitarists!   Come and meet guitarists from all over the Bay Area.  Heartfelt Music Ministry is holding the Christian Guitarist Fellowship to help motivate you in your guitar playing and encourage you in Christ.  There will be a short lesson for all levels; we will have breakout “jam” sessions where you pair off with those in your skill level and share with each other; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area.  It will be a fun fellowship and it’s free!  For more information, you can email Reggie Coates at [email protected]