Donations
Current Predicament
Each year the National School of Music receives increased requests for scholarships
and financial help. As a result, it is impossible to meet all the requests for financial
assistance. It would be wonderful if we could grant every request that we receive
from deserving students who need financial assistance to attend one of the three
schools, but we cannot do it without you.
What You Can Do
The National School of Music’s goal is to build up a fund that will be able to finance
any scholarships needed. It is to this end that we are requesting your financial
support of the National School of Music in memory of M. Lynwood Smith. We humbly
request that you consider giving a gift to the National School of Music in any amount
you feel appropriate, especially if you feel there is a need to better our praise
in song throughout our brotherhood. Any amount you choose to give will be most appreciated.
If you would like to donate to the scholarship program in memory of M. Lynwood Smith,
please send your contribution to:
The National School of Music
12025 Turkey Road
Jacksonville, FL 32221
*please note* Donations are NOT tax deductible. We have elected to forego the tax
exempt process at this time. Make sure you specify in memory of M. Lynwood Smith
so we will be able to let you know how you were able to sponsor a student.
M Lynwood Smith has done so much for the church and the brotherhood with his love
of the church and his love of gospel music. The many songs he has written will be
sung by folks all over the world for generations to come.
Lynwood, who was a music songwriter in his own right, was in a class all by himself
when it came to writing lyrics. He had a way of painting a picture with his words,
which was evident, not only in his lyric writing, but in his preaching as well.
Many of the most prolific music song writers of yesterday and today would continually
send manuscripts to Lynwood for lyrics. There really was no one else like him.
Brother Carl Johnson once said “Lynwood was a great lyricist, and that estimate
is shared by many of the greatest songwriters in the modern history of Gospel Music.”
As Brother Rick Martin also said, “Lynwood had the ability to take a piece of music
and put words of comfort, warning and praise to it to make a beautiful song.”
Lynwood wrote well over seven hundred songs and published some 26 song books. He
produced five Lamplighter albums of gospel singing, and promoted gospel music in
general wherever he could. Many of us took him for granted but he was on a first
name basis with many of the outstanding gospel singers, song writers, and publishers
of our time.
As Brother Don King said; “among the Gospel music industry, Lynwood was recognized
as one of the finest lyricists ever. He had an amazing ability to wed even the accents
of words to the music itself so that as the music was sung it seemed natural for
those words to be where they were.”
Concerning Lynwood’s songs, Brother Kevin Presley said, “His hundreds of song lyrics
were more than a rhyme. They were the outpouring of his heart and a statement of
his life’s experiences; a reflection of a life in tune with God.” Brother Johnny
Elmore once said, “In Lynwood’s songs he often spoke of sunset, heaven, and home
and I think he really longed for his “real home.” Lynwood was born in Brookhaven,
MS and remained there throughout his life. When he was traveling on the road, usually
by Greyhound Bus, holding the many gospel meetings he would hold each year, many
times he would long to get back to his modest country surroundings and the home
he loved so much where he was reared. Lynwood loved gospel songs and gospel singing
and he attended several normal singing schools. Lynwood has always been an inspiration
to many a young person to increase their abilities to sing songs of praise to God.
In times past, Lynwood has sponsored many young people to attend various music schools,
including the National School of Music. He did what he could to encourage people
to learn “how” to read music and lead songs instead of merely being “taught” a song.
As he has said before, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a
man to fish and he will eat for a life time.” And then he would apply that to learning
music in order to better a person’s ability to increase his or her knowledge and
ability in music.
Here is what some of the preachers and church leaders are saying about the National
School of Music and the Scholarship Fund
Lynwood was always concerned about our singing. I hope we will continue to
make our singing one of our priorities. We should do everything possible to
make our singing the best that it can be. Parents need to teach their children
the importance of singing. We have capable men among us, who can and do teach
singing schools. Phillip Prince holds many singing schools, and if you have
the opportunity to go to one of these, or send your children, you should do so.
Lynwood's songs have meant a lot to us over the years. We have sung them
when praising our God and our Lord Jesus Christ. They have been sung at the
funerals of our loved ones, and have lifted our hearts and spirits. The tremendous
impact of the workds and music of our Man of Song will not be known until that day:
When sable shades are lifting and far away drifting and rosy light shall brighten
the skies; when morning light is blending, with shadows now ending; the sleeping
saints of God shall rise. Oh happy day of gladness then gone the night of
sadness, I know it cannot be far away; 'Twill be a wondrous meeting, and
dear loved ones greeting, 'Twill be a glad homecoming day.
This scholarship would be a fitting memorial to our Man of Song. Won't
you consider this worthy cause?
Rick Martin, Woodstock, GA 30189
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Let me say how much Phillip Prince and The National School of Music has meant to
the singing at Midway Church of Christ in Shreveport, LA. He has brought the
school to our congregation on several occasions, and each time the singing has gotten
better. We usually gain a new song leader each time. Recently, we sent
one of our young men to the singing school in Wichita Falls, TX. He came back
a changed singer. He is now able to lead singing well, and he grows in ability
from month to month.
We give the credit to Phillip and the teachers at National School of Music for the
progress our member has made. We shall ever be grateful to them. We
recommend that congregations send their young people to these schools from year
to year. Young people can put much enthusiasm in the singing when no one else
can.
Wayne Fussell, Shreveport, LA 71119
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Here is what some of the past students and parents are saying about the National
School of Music…
We cannot say enough good about the National Singing School. We sent our three
children this past summer (08), and each one of them said “it was the best thing
I have ever done!” What they learn in a span of 5 days is amazing, and what they
come home with is even more! They are with Christian friends 24/7 for 6-7 days,
while singing songs about Heaven the whole time. As a result of that week,
all three of our children were baptized the Monday after Singing School. It is worth
whatever you have to do to get your child to one of the schools.The Tates
Wichita Falls, Texas
The National Singing School is awesome. Whether you are six or sixty-six, it is
tailored to fit all needs, ages, voices, and levels of musical talent. The week
long school is equivalent to taking a 3 hour college semester course. The Christian
association is beyond measure. Do your best to attend and/or send your children
or someone else. You will reap so much. The Fanchers, Witchita Falls, Texas
The National School of Music is the most worthwhile thing you can be involved in
outside a gospel meeting. Our girls have been involved with the Texas school
since it began. Their confidence and ability has greatly improved. We
started coming the following years. Learning the notes/tones makes a huge
difference as you can look at a song that has wonderful words but you've wondered
how it sounds. As a result of the singing school, we can start singing it.
Being around fellow Christians and singing together on a daily basis uplifts our
spirits and the spirits of others. The singing at our congregation has improved
very much as well. This past year, we brought a brohter who LOVES to sing
and since coming to the school, his confidence has soared. We are so proud
of him. He pitches the songs himself and is learning new songs every day,
and this from a basically shy young man. But the National School of Music is
not just "for the youth". Some of us are a bit older and we enjoy the
fun as well as the challenge of learning at the National School of Music. Making
memories with your family by going to the National School of Music together is a
precious thing. Why not make your plans to join us at The National School of Music.
The Starks Brookston, Texas
We love the National School of Music! My kids have made some Christian friendships
they will have for life, they've gotten a lot of spiritual encouragement from
being there, by being with other Christians all week. Their singing abilities have
greatly improved as well. Our 10 year old can lead a song and carry a tune, our
14 yr old can hit the notes so much better, and our 20 yr old sings out now more
with confidence. Attending the National School of Music is the best money that you
can spend on your children. It is well worth it! Is there anything better than spending
all day, associating with Christians singing praises to God? What we take home with
us, we will benefit from it for the rest of our lives. The Jones Riverbank, California
What does the National School of Music mean to my family? My son and I both
attended the California singing school and found it to be a whirlwind of education
and association with other Christians. We felt the immense amount of time spent
studying music took advantage of the limited time we were there and maximized our
learning. We enjoyed visiting with the kids and adults who had come from far and
near. We hadn't expected to come away with such close friendships and we are
already signed up for next year and can't wait to go again! Bob & Kris Baker
Stockton, California I am pleased to recommend the National School of Music. Having
visited the School on several occasions, I believe Phillip does an outstanding job
of both teaching the mechanics of music and instilling a love for singing. The education
provided is of tremendous value, particularly to young people. Incredibly, the low
cost not only provides valuable music training and a chance to form lasting friendships,
it also includes meals and lodging for the duration of the School. It is, in essence,
a tremendous educational vacation that provides people of all ages with musical
skills that that will last a lifetime! Ivan & Gina Costa Manteca, California
The National School of Music is funded and operated solely as a private endeavor
by Phillip G. Prince and is in no way supported by Church funds.