Author: Elaine Osborne
Located in: Vancouver, Canada
Submitted: October 05, 2010
Tell us a little about yourself. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Elaine Osborne wrote and performed the acclaimed musical creation entitled The Singing Bible.
With the help of 10 time Juno nominated co-producer David Slagter Hayes, Elaine wrote virtually all lyrics and music, arranged all fifty one songs, performed virtually all instruments, and performed the lead vocals. Elaine took two full years to research, write, arrange, perform and co-produce The Singing Bible.
With the addition of the vocal talents of Ron Raible and a fantastic and vibrant children's choir, this product is a fully produced and beautiful work on 4 CDs or cassettes, published by Focus on the Family.
Trained at the VCC School of Music in Vancouver, Canada, Elaine was raised by parents who were both renowned choir directors and soloists in England and the Vancouver area. Growing up in a musical family, with an extensive history of performing in musicals and both community and church children's and adult choirs, Elaine put her heart and soul into creating this fully produced musical product which helps children and their parents to learn both the overview of the Bible, and highlights specific passages that help foster a love for God and the Christian faith.
Elaine is in the process of creating new musical works, and when not singing and playing guitar can be found enjoying a good cup of coffee, or hiking in the wilderness and exploring her new hobby of gold panning.
What was your motivation behind this project? My desire was to help parents to teach their children the overview of the Bible, and tie all of the individual stories together in in a way that inspired a love for God and their Christian faith. I also wanted to have a fun way to memorize important parts of the Bible, and as well to give exposure to different styles of music in a way that children can enjoy.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope it inspires and encourages parents and children with the words and music, and assists in helping listeners of all ages to understand the overall story arc of the Bible.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I spent two years, more than full time, prayerfully researching, writing, arranging, performing and working with the co-producer David Slagter Hayes, the male lead Ron Raible, and the fantastic children's choir, and we were all so inspired during the process. I'm so thankful for this team of talented and dedicated individuals. I appreciate each of them and am thankful for their care and efforts. It was so much fun in the studio. Ron Raible, the male lead, is so fun, and I made sure that each of the children in the choir had a part that was just "their" voice alone, so they could look back and see how their individual voice mixed in to be part of a greater work. I think we all need to feel that we are individually important, while at the same time we're just a part of something greater, and that each part, great and small, is important and needed.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I listen to a wide variety of music. I love music from around the world, folk music is beautiful and all places and times in history have the same themes of love and community. I'm really inspired by that. I have just gone through a jag where I read classic authors like Jane Austin and William Shakespeare, and I enjoy classical artists like Renoir.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: It was a complete pleasure to create this project. I am so thrilled to read so many complimentary reviews, and to hear from parents and kids who have learned and been inspired by The Singing Bible. I am grateful to be a part of listener's families in this way, and that they've allowed me to come into their homes and bring music and words that inspire a love of God.
