God is doing a new thing!

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.“Isaiah 43:18-19

What a message of hope! How healing and reassuring! Some people spend too much time dwelling on the past and not enough time looking ahead to what God is doing right now and in the future.  God says, “Don’t you see it? I’m doing something new for you! What I’m doing is giving you an amazing way through troubled times, a flourishing experience through the wastelands.” I’ve gone through some really tough times such as the death of my parents at a young age, physical infirmities, work challenges, and almost losing my home. But through it all, God has been so loving and merciful. He continues to take the worst situations and turn them into something good (Romans 8:28). Stay close to Him, don’t dwell on the past, and know that He is making all things new – “The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17b).

The Scoop with Reggie & Heartfelt Music

This month has been very full and very fulfilling too! Last weekend on Saturday, I hosted the first fundraising lunch for Child Evangelism Fellowship Northern California Silicon Valley. A significantly productive ministry reaching 20 million children a year in 200 countries. Then on Sunday, I taught group guitar lessons at River of Life Christian Church in Santa Clara. This Sunday, I’ll be leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church at 10:00am. I’m wrapping up the year at Valley Christian School this month and Graduation for the students is Saturday, May 27 (see below). I’m also wrapping up my private lessons before summer with a Recital in Los Altos at Bridges Community Church Monday, May 22, at 7:00pm. I hope you can join me for my summer concert at Gilroy Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 4, 6:30pm (see below). You can even join us for dinner at 5:30pm before the concert. Help get the word out by downloading the Gilroy Concert Flier and sharing with others.

Pro Tools & Sibelius User Certification

This June, you can become an Avid Certified User in Pro Tools or Sibelius though the week long courses at VCS. Pro Tools was made by engineers out of a need to replicate fancy studio equipment in software form, Pro Tools has revolutionized the modern day studio, not only making the music production process more simple, but also at the cost of pocket change compared to what it would previously cost to get a decent recording! Producers and Engineers record and mix with it. Songwriters and Composers create with it. It is an environment in which you make magic happen!

End of the Year with Valley Christian Schools

VCS is wrapping up the school year this month (May 27) and it has been a fantastic experience! Teaching guitar, worship leading, and music technology is both challenging and fulfilling. There are over 40 guitarists in my classes with Intro to Guitar & Bass, Guitar 2, and Guitar 3. The guitar 2 & 3 classes went busking (street performing) in downtown Santa Cruz last week. The picture above is from last Wednesday’s high school chapel. The Worship Teams have been doing a great job! The most challenging has been the new Music Technology course since it’s more advanced than before. Pray we finish strong!

Get Pro Tools or Sibelius User Certification

Would you like to get better at recording music or writing music? Valley Christian Schools, as an Avid Learning Partner, is offering training to become an Avid Certified User in either Pro Tools or Sibelius. I am an Avid Certified Instructor and will be teaching both courses. The Sibelius User Certification Course will be the week of Tuesday, May 30, through Friday, June 2, 9:00am-5:00am daily. The Pro Tools User Certification Course will be the week of Monday, June 5, through Friday, June 9, 9:00am-5:00pm daily. Both courses are intensive and will give you the professional edge to rise above the competition.

Gilroy Concert Sunday June 4

At Gilroy Presbyterian Church, Sunday, June 4, 6:30pm, I’ll be sharing new songs as well as favorites using loops and advanced guitar techniques. You will be encouraged through inspiring stories with beautiful guitar and vocal tapestry. This concert is free. The people of Gilroy Presbyterian Church are providing a free dinner at 5:30pm. The concert will be at 6:30pm. I’ve enjoyed eight months of ministry with GPC and have thoroughly enjoyed leading the band and choir as well as working with the leadership. This concert will be a culmination of enriched ministry with these beautiful people. Come join us!

Coming Events

May 14 (Sun)
Leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The service begins at 10:00am.

May 28 (Sun)
Leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The service begins at 10:00am.

May 30-June 2 (Tue-Fri)
Sibelius Certified User training at Valley Christian Schools, 100 Skyway Drive, San Jose, CA, 95111. 9-5 Daily.

June 4 (Sun)
Giving a concert at Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The Concert begins at 6:30pm.

June 5-9 (Mon-Fri)
Pro Tools Certified User training at Valley Christian Schools, 100 Skyway Drive, San Jose, CA, 95111. 9-5 Daily.

Watch, Listen, and Share

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Come See Reggie in Concert

Reggie will be doing a concert at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos Sunday, March 5th, at 7:00pm in the main auditorium. He’ll be sharing new songs and some of his select songs that transcend time. Through his passionate music and stories, he refreshingly encourages others to an active faith, revitalizes joy, inspires transparency, renews hope and draws us to a loving relationship with God. Whether it’s in a concert, teaching music, leading worship or sharing from God’s Word, Reggie puts a focus on the priority of knowing God through Jesus Christ. With a balance of skillful guitar & vocal artistry, human experience and spiritual truth, he lives out the verse from Psalm 33:3, “Sing to the Lord a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy!” Please, come and invite family and friends! See below to download a flier to spread the word.

Los Altos Concert

You will be encouraged through inspiring stories with beautiful guitar and vocal tapestry. At Bridges, Reggie will be sharing new songs as well as favorites using loops and advanced guitar techniques. If you would like to get the concert flier to help get the word out, click on the photo above and you can download a PDF of the flier.

January in Review

In January, I led two training workshops for the guitarists at River of Life Christian Church in Santa Clara. I led worship at four services with River Valley Church in Grants Pass, Oregon, and dicussed Worship Infusion with their musicians. I led worship at Gilroy Presbyterian Church and will be leading worship at their the first Sunday in February directing their choir as well.

Music Products

For positive and encouraging music, consider Reggie’s encouraging music. Three albums are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby: Heartfelt Celebration, Here & Now, and Instrumental Guitar-Volume I. Four other albums, his music book, free songs, and a worship report are available at Gumroad.com. Physical CDs can be purchased through CD Baby.

Coming Events

February 5 & 19 (Sun)
Leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The service begins at 10:00am.

March 3-4 (Sun)
Leading training workshops and worship during the General Sessions of the BASS Convention, Redwood Chapel Community Church, 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA

March 5 (Sun)
Giving a concert at Bridges Community Church, 625 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos Hills, CA

Social Media Involvement

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

In Everything Give Thanks

Heartfelt Music and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you get time to give thanks for the many blessings god graciously brings our way. “Rejoice always, pray continually, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

As you think about gifts for loved ones, consider my encouraging music. Three of my albums are available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby: Heartfelt Celebration, Here & Now, and Instrumental Guitar-Volume I. Four other albums, my music book, free songs, and a worship report are available at Gumroad.com. Physical CDs can be purchased through CD Baby.

Guitar Training Workshop

I led a training workshop for the guitarists at River of Life Church in Santa Clara. Their ministry is refreshingly relevant and influential.

Support Us Through AmazonSmile

If you buy anything at Amazon through smile.amazon.com, amazon will donate part of what you pay to Heartfelt Music.

Upcoming Events

November 27 (Sun)
Leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The service begins at 10:00am.

December 4 & 18 (Sun)
Leading worship with Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020. The service begins at 10:00am. I will be directing the choir both Sundays.

Social Media Involvement

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Double the Impact

Heartfelt Music is re-launching in August to double its impact and re-focus its mission: Leading others toward excellence in artistry and intimacy with God. I’ll be giving a solo concert to share the vision on Sunday, August 21, 7:00pm, at San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. We are inviting old friends, new friends, fellow musicians and music students, fellow educators and worship leaders…okay pretty much everybody! It will be a fun time to celebrate Heartfelt Music with quality music, stories, singing together, and looking to a greater impact in the future. In anticipation of this event, we’ve re-published the album Heartfelt Celebration on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby, and over 100 other outlets. Physical CDs and all of my music products will be available at the concert. I would love to see you there!

.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. Pray we will be able to touch more peoples lives and encourage them in Christ.

Stay in Touch

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Heartfelt Celebration on iTunes, Spotify…

Because Heartfelt Music is re-launching in August, we have re-published the album Heartfelt Celebration on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby, and over 100 other outlets for digital distribution. You can also get physical CDs at CD Baby, our website, or at the concert August 21 in San Jose. We will also have the two music books Heartfelt Praise and A Compilation of Compositions available at the concert.

Avid Instructor Certification for Sibelius

In June, I became an Avid Certified Instructor in Pro Tools. This month, I’ll be heading to Los Angeles for final training to become an Avid Certified Instructor for Sibelius as well. This means I can offer classes for those who would like to get serious about learning music recording and writing. You would be able to become an Avid Certified User, a great advantage in the music business and in personal development.

Reggie Coates Celebration Concert

Come to my solo concert to kick off the fall on Sunday, August 21, 7:00pm, at San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. I will celebrate Heartfelt Music with quality music, stories, singing together, and looking to a greater impact in the future. I will be playing some new songs with guitar and vocal tapestry. For guitar enthusiasts, I’ll be use looping and multiple capos and guitars.

Coming Events

July 23 (Sat)

The Avid Certified Instructor’s Conference at USC, Los Angeles. Training to become an Avid Certified Sibelius Instructor.

July 31 (Sun)
Leading worship with San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The services begin at 10:00am. We have guest drummer Garrett Morris joining us.

August 21 (Sun)
Giving a Heartfelt Music celebration concert at San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The concert begins at 7:00pm.

Ramping Up

Summer is usually a time of “winding down,” but for me it’s more like “winding up.” After teaching for many years, some may think it’s time for things to be “wrapping up,” yet this Spring and Summer has been and will be more of a “ramping up” for me. I’m so thankful for the real-world education that Full Sail University gave me through the Master of Science degree program. The business plan for Heartfelt Music, developed over the last year, has equipped me to lead, manage, create, support, and motivate through Heartfelt Music like never before. In June, I’ll be trained to be an Avid Certified Instructor in Pro Tools (the leading recording software) and in July, I’ll finish training to be an Avid Certified Instructor in Sibelius (the leading music writing software). This will help Heartfelt Music expand its offerings in recording and writing out music. This will also help Valley Christian High School with their Music Technology class and a developing program to equip young performing artists. Thank you for your prayers! Your enthusiastic encouragement means so much to me.
  .

Spring Guitar Recitals in Los Altos

We held our 2016 Spring Guitar Recitals at Bridges Community Church last week. You can watch a two minute YouTube video to see who participated. They all were fantastic! There’s quite a variety of skill levels and age levels in my Los Altos crew. Michael came all the way over from Mount Hermon just to be able to be in it. It’s a joy teaching all of them and watching them improve.

Coming Events

Empowering People

This weekend, March 3-5, I’m leading worship with Peter Neumann for the BASS Convention at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley. I’ll be equipping others through teaching workshops throughout the weekend. There is a theme in all that I am doing right now through Heartfelt Music: Empowering others to be more effective. Whether it is in playing guitar, singing, songwriting, recording, leading music, or simply worshiping the living God, infusing others with confidence and skill enables them to reach their God-given potential. I’m teaching at Valley Christian School, working on a Masters Degree through Full Sail University, giving private guitar lessons, helping with the Mount Hermon Community, and leading worship every Sunday at various churches. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Pray that God would empower me to empower others in making significant changes our world, which desperately needs God’s touch.
.

The BASS Church Workers Training

March 3-5, Peter Neumann and I will be leading worship for the BASS Convension’s Friday and Saturday general sessions and teach training workshops throughout the weekend. I’ll be teaching Songwriting, Worship Leading, and Dynamic Guitar in Worship. There are over 300 workshops for every church worker. Come up and say hi after one of the general sessions.
.

Easter Sunrise Service at Mount Hermon

On Easter morning, there will be a Sunrise Service with Mount Hermon Christian Conference Director Mike Romberger speaking and I’ll be leading in worship. It begins at 6:30am with singing and praise. It has been offered to the public annually for over 60 years. Anyone who wishes to join in the community celebration of Christ’s resurrection is welcome to attend.
.

VCS Conservatory of the Arts goes to Hume Lake

Last weekend, 26 students and 4 adults from the Valley Christian High School Conservatory went to Hume Lake for their Winter Weekend. Many rededicated their lives to Christ. The weekend was both fun and fruitful!
.

Coming Events

March 3-5 (Thu-Sat)
Leading worship & workshops at the BASS Church Workers Convention, Redwood Chapel, 19300 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546.
.
March 6, 13, & 27 (Sun)
Leading worship with San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The service begins at 10:00am.
.
March 27 (Sun)
Leading worship at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center’s Sunrise Service, 37 Conference Dr, Mt Hermon, CA 95041. The service begins at 6:30am.
.

Fun Social Media Involvement

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Twenty-Sixteen Blessings

The Coates family had a very relaxing break for the holidays. Now I’m back in the fast lane with 15 private students, teaching at Vally Christian School, working on a Masters Degree through Full Sail University, helping with the Mount Hermon Community, and leading worship every Sunday at various churches. I’m excited! It feels like God has tailored everything just so I can do the very things I love. During the first weekend of March, I’ll be at the Bay Area Church Workers Conference (BASS) teaching workshops and leading worship with Peter Neumann Friday and Saturday. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Pray with me anticipating significant new developments for Heartfelt Music Ministry in 2016. May God richly bless you throughout this new year!

.

This Weekend at Crossroads Bible Church

This Sunday, January 24, I’ll be leading worship with Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose. Services are at 9:00am (Traditional) and 10:45am (Modern). I’m looking forward to working with some of Jane Liddle’s awesome musicians.

.

The BASS Church Workers Training

March 3-5, Peter Neumann and I will be leading worship for the Friday and Saturday general sessions and teach training workshops throughout the weekend. Jane Liddle will be leading worship Thursday night. There are over 300 workshops for every church worker.

.

Spiritual Emphasis Week with VCS

This week is spiritual Emphasis Week at Valley Christian School. Please pray for transformed lives for the whole student body. There has been a steady maturing throughout the year. We hope this week makes a significant difference in the lives of each student.

.

Fun Social Media Involvement

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Merry Christmas!

The Heartfelt Music Ministry board and I wish you the best of holidays, a very Merry Christmas, and a meaningful New Year celebration! This past year has been filled with inspirational ministry opportunities and I’m looking forward to 2016 with even more ministry endeavors designed by God specifically for Heartfelt Music Ministry.

If you are thinking of gifts, I have a number of albums available for download at Gumroad.com and iTunes.com; plus physical CDs at cdbaby.com and our website at HeartfeltMusic.org (Gift certificates available). Look me up on Spotify.

Fun Social Media Involvement

Keep in touch and share your thoughts. Click on the icons below:

Support Heartfelt through any purchase on AmazonSmile

Many of you order products on Amazon. Amazon Smile is the same as Amazon only a percentage of what you buy goes toward Heartfelt Music Ministry. Most products purchased through Amazon can be purchased at the same discounted price through Amazon Smile, but you are also supporting us. CLICK HERE and try it out!

Financial Support

We would be honored and so grateful for you to choose us as your ministry/missions organization in giving an end-of-the-year gift or monthly financial support. Since we are a nonprofit 501(c)3 ministry, your tax-deductible gifts propel this ministry and open doors for us to give, local, national, and international support of other missions organizations. Thank you for your support!

Special Christmas Eve Service

Accenting the birth of Jesus, there will be a special Christmas Eve service on December 24th, 6:00pm, at San Jose Christian Reformed Church. I will be leading the music. We will be taking a look at the whole story of our history with a special look at Jesus’ birth. Culminate your Christmas advent with worship, singing carols, candle lighting and celebrating our Lord. He deserves all the glory, honor and praise!  You are welcome to join us.

Coming Events

December 13, 20, 27 (Sun), 10:00am
Leading worship with San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124.

December 24 (Thu), 6:00pm

Leading worship for a special Christmas Eve service with San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124.

Still Learning

I hope I never say, “I’ve learned enough, now I can stop.” In order to be a great teacher, I must be a passionate learner. Putting myself in the students shoes and putting a high value on my own continued education is important. I’m continuing in the Masters program at Full Sail University and learning tons. The three classes I have completed so far have been compelling, challenging, and inspirational (Mastery: Personal & Professional Development; Executive Leadership; and Project & Team Management). In July, I completed the Sibelius training in order to write out music digitally. I also attended the National Worship Leader Conference to sharpen my skills at worship leading. I haven’t arrived! I certainly believe the saying, “The more you come to know, the more you discover you don’t know!” Yet, this is a truly enjoyable journey as I become more and more equipped to help others on their journey.

Fall Guitar Lessons Begin

I will be continuing private guitar lessons this fall and would love to help you get further along on your journey. On Mondays, I will be teaching private lessons from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at Bridges Community Church in Los Altos starting August 24th. I will be teaching at Valley Christian High School on Thursday afternoons 3:00pm-6:00pm starting September 3rd. On Fridays, I will be teaching every other week from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at my home in Mount Hermon starting September 11th. Let me know if you want to start.

New Guitar Instrumental Album

I’m aiming to record a new instrumental album and hoping you will help in some way. I’ve started a crowd funding page at Indiegogo.com which has perks and further explanation of this project. I have one song on YouTube.com you can watch called Abundant Sunshine. When it comes out is when the funds come in. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! It will cost about $700 for the whole project. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a digital download of my album Instrumental Guitar – Volume 1. Those who donate $20 or more will receive a digital download and a signed CD of my new album Instrumental Guitar – Volume 2. Those who donate $30 or more will have their names printed on the inside of the CD cover. In addition, all perks stack, so any one of the higher donations will receive all the perks before it.  These are just a small way to say thank you for your involvement.

Valley Christian School Begins

The Valley Christian School year is starting back up next week. I’m excited to work with the worship teams, chapels, and guitar classes. This year I will have three guitar classes. There are three worship teams, one junior high and two high school. The worship teams will be doing events outside of the school as well. My Mission Statement for life is to lead others toward intimacy with God and Valley Christian School is the perfect platform to do that (I consider it an extension of Heartfelt Music Ministry). It is very fulfilling for me to see students succeed.

Coming Events

• August 16, 23, & 30 (Sun), 10:00pm
  Leading Worship at San Jose Christian Reformed Church, 5150 Camden Ave
  San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 266-4412.
• August 23 (Sun), 6:15pm-7:15pm
  Leading worship with band at Cityteam in San Jose for the men going through recovery, 2304 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131, (408) 232-5600.
• October 9-11 (Fri-Sun), Daily
  Leading worship at the Tonto Rim Christian Camp’s Men’s Retreat, 353 N. Baptist Camp Rd., Payson, Arizona 85541.

Get Involved

Keep in touch and share your thoughts on:

Turning Points

I truly believe God has a plan for our lives. Throughout our days, there are key moments or major “turning points” that change our course. One of my major turning points was right after junior college when I had to decide whether to major in Architecture, like my dad, or music, which was my passion. I chose music. I’m excited about the path God has directed me on. I feel overwhelmingly grateful and deeply responsible for where God has placed me right now. What are some turning points in your life? Can you see God’s hand at work in them? Let me encourage you to stay close to God and He will guide you. “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

I’m performing a concert this summer at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Campbell, June 14, at 7:00pm. I hope you can come! There is an interactive workshop the same day at 5:00pm called Worship Infusion to enhance your worship lifestyle.

Thank you for your interest in Heartfelt Music Ministry. Many good things are going on and your prayers make a significant difference in support and blessing. I appreciate you!

Worship Infusion Workshop and Concert

I’ll be leading a Worship Infusion workshop and performing an acoustic concert at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Campbell, Sunday, June 14. Everyone gets involved in discussing three prominent areas of worship: The Heart aspect of worship (passion & purpose); The Art aspect of worship (promptings & process); The Hard aspects of worship (people & politics). Come strengthen your worship with God and share what you’ve learned along the way. Register for the workshop HERE. After the workshop, I’ll be performing a concert and sharing encouraging stories. Visit my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/ReggieCoates/. The  workshop is $10.00-General, $5.00-Students, and the concert is free.

Masters Degree Highlights

I’m in my third week working on my Masters degree at Full Sail University. It is an intensive program that is both challenging and empowering. I’m really enjoying it! In the first week, we created a “Turning Point Video” (which you can see by clicking HERE) and began an excellent book by Robert Greene called “Mastery.” In the second week, I had to write an extensive research paper on someone who is a Master in their field. Can you guess who I chose? This week, I’ve integrated Instagram and Tumblr and will write out an in-depth review of my “calling.” The Tumblr account will be tracking with my Mastery Journey through Full Sail University. You’re welcome to follow along.

Phil Keaggy was Fantastic!

Valley Christian School brought Phil Keaggy in for a concert, training, and both the junior high and high school chapels in April. He was fantastic! Having someone of Phil’s skill level, genuine humility, and deep faith was inspiring (watch his “True Believers” video). The concert was well attended and I was excited to see many guitarists from the Christian Guitarist Conferences in which we had Phil nine out of the fifteen times as the Featured Artist. Some of the VCS students were able to spend an intimate training time with him playing his guitar and asking questions. Phil was so encouraging! Then, he performed for the 2000 VCS students during their chapels. They loved him!

Coming Events

June 14 (Sun), 5:00pm & 7:00pm

Teaching Worship Infusion workshop and performing a concert at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Campbell, 3151 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 377-8930.

June 22-26 (Mon-Fri), 9:00am daily

Leading worship and fun singing with band at Community Presbyterian Church for their Vacation Bible School, 222 West El Pintado, Danville, CA 94526 (925) 837-5525.

June 28 (Sun), 9:00am & 10:45am

Leading worship with band at Community Presbyterian Church for their Sanctuary services, 222 West El Pintado, Danville, CA 94526 (925) 837-5525.