We just lay out a basic guide for teachers to follow. They can use colors as they want. The one thing that we stress and require is that they do talk about light and how light is mentioned in the Bible. Especially that Jesus is the light of life. In all I see that color and music do go together in many ways. As I was a concert artist I learned to 'Paint a musical picture" of the song I was performing. We can see how God gives us a fantastic example.

 As the sun opens a new day the symphony of life begins in song. Just get up and listen to the birds bring forth the song of creation in the morning as the sun reaches out from the heavens to touch creation.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

God created us in His image. Just imagine how the eye works? Now compare it to a camera?  Wow need I say more?

Light   Color   Music   tools of creation that have a impact upon each of our lives. That is why we use them together in our programs to make a difference through the eyes of children and youth to how they view the world. Without light there is no life. The scripture for our Youth program is:

 Music? And color?

Psychologically, colors change humans’ moods and performance. It is said that nurse wear the colors light blue and pink because it relaxes their patients. Another color that relaxes people is the color green. “…red hues increase bodily tension and stimulate the autonomic nervous system…” Wikipedia. Red also increases heart rate and breathing. It is proven that people fight more often in yellow rooms and babies cry more in yellow rooms. “Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.” Color of Psychology, David Johnson. Fast food restaurants often use the colors red and yellow because they make you hungrier, waste more money and make you loose track to time. Colors affect people more than they are aware of, and even though colors are not a huge part of life, they too have their own significance. What does the Bible say about light? Below, I have given some of what I believe to be the most important uses of this word in scripture. Let's look at the beginning

The first specific creative act of God, in Genesis 1 (all scriptural links are to the , is the creation of light. Since the exact interpretation of Genesis 1 is in some doubt, I cannot say that the first creative act was God's creation of light. That is, it is possible that Genesis 1:1-2 is a summary statement, with specifics given in what follows, and that, thus, God's first creative act was the creation of light. It is also possible that the earth was already present when God created light, because Genesis 1:1-2 describe the creation of the earth first. We don't know. In either case, the creation of light was very significant. No wonder that James 1:17 describes God as the "Father of lights."

After the flood, God promised never to destroy the earth again, and He chose a rainbow, a phenomenon caused by light passing through water, to signify this.

During the Exodus, God showed Himself to the Israelites (at night, at least) as a light-giving pillar of fire, light enough to travel by.

In Exodus 25, and elsewhere, the Israelites were commanded to prepare light in the Tabernacle, as part of their worship of God.

In 2 Samuel 22, David said: "For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and my God lightens my darkness." (verse 29) Perhaps this is the first time that God's presence and communication with humans is compared to light. In Psalm 27:1, first part, David wrote that
"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?"

Job refers to the day when he was born, and wishes that it had never happened (chapter 3) saying that he wishes it had been condemned to darkness. Darkness and evil, and light and good, are often linked, in the Bible.

Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path," comparing God's word to light. 1 John 1 is one of the places in the New Testament where God's revelation to humans is compared to light.

In Isaiah 9, Isaiah, apparently speaking of the coming of the Messiah, compares this event to the appearance of a great light. (This passage is quoted in Matthew 4:12-16.)

Jesus, in Matthew 5:14-16, compares the God-honoring life of his followers to light.

In John 1:1-13, the revelation of God in Christ Jesus is compared to light. John 3:16-21 says that that revelation of light has brought judgment. In John 8:12, Jesus describes Himself as the light of the world.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 says that Jesus "dwells in unapproachable light. . ."

As the first chapter in the Bible refers to light, so does the last, Revelation 22:1-5, which says that the only light necessary in heaven is God, Himself.

 Most of us respond to the simple pleasures to be had from light and sound, whether naturally occurring - the sight of a sunset and the song of a bird - or man-made - a familiar painting or a favourite song. Their sensations give a personal delight that creative people have always understood. Painting and music-making employ color and sound as their basic tools, and an infinite variety of expressive results comes of these simple means - from the colors and forms of the visual arts and the pitches and rhythms of music. Some artists re-evaluate the way these elements are used; Schoenberg's music and the painting of Mondrian were achieved by stringent explorations of the basics. Such fresh approaches to color or music can occasionally re-invent the art form, refigure the aesthetic landscape and cause ripples in the world at large.
   The expressive powers of light and sound are not the sole province of the fine artist. Color and music are often harnessed for more general purposes - they can, and have been used as means to the ends of religion, politics, commerce, recreation and therapy. The end-purposes will affect their creative use, sometimes suppressing all variation for the sake a uniform, recognisable product. A company, for instance, will specify particular colors to duplicate its logo; a national anthem sounds much the same, trills and all, each time it is played. The desired results are achieved by the proscriptive use of music and color and artistic scope is circumscribed by the need for mechanical reproduction.

   A more symbolic set of strictures are placed on the use of color and music in the name of religious belief, even where the particulars of a conviction can seem a nonsense in hindsight. When Pope Gregory decreed the colors of the rainbow that Noah saw were red and green only, limners were obliged to decorate manuscripts accordingly. Likewise, the musical note B was long neglected because our ancestors' spiritual advisers considered it barely respectable. Contemporary attitudes are more relaxed: the choice of sound or color is largely left to the discretion of the creator, as part of the individual's response to any cultural imperatives. Of course, there are circumstances where broader creative control is required. The integration of color and music, within a film or a piece of theatre, sees their roles refined - sometimes to the point that their presence (or lack of it) is subliminal, subtly augmenting a text or underscoring a mood.
   Attempts have been made to regulate the use of our senses even further, by stipulating relationships between color and music themselves. Most often, arrangements of this kind serve the most exulted purposes, endeavouring to paint a picture of heaven with light and color, and to describe it with musical notes. Perhaps the most pervasive doctrine of this kind emerged in the 17th century, when Sir Isaac Newton first analysed the coloured properties of sunlight. Newton felt obliged to divide the naturally-occurring spectrum into seven colors, one for each note of a musical scale. In this way, the phenomena of light and sound were united in the one mathematical matrix. His simple array has survived as a colour-music code, as well as a commonly-accepted way of describing the rainbow.

                                                         Color and Music

In our music program for the younger children we teach children the biblical colors. We let them paint their instruments in a creative way using colors that have reference in the Bible. 

 In the youth program we teach the youth about expression according to the colors. This is in the Drum circle.  We use large type notes that are the hard hits with the hand, and the smaller notes for the softer or light hits. Especially dealing with fears today children are faced with so many more than we of past generations. SO we want the youth to express how they feel. To simply " let go"  turn it over to God.  Also this is a way to allow youth to praise God on their own level.  A relationship with the Lord is one on one.  Below is a chart. The mix can be up to the youth. There could be 4 hard hits, 4 soft hits, any mixture or combination depending upon how the youth feels inside. This is a outlet for them to let go of their most inter feelings at that time. What they might have experienced that day, that week in their life.  As for meter, or time, they can play the rhythm in any form, fast, slow, fast/slow together any combination. We always like to start out by using a basic heart type beat pattern.

L R     L  R    L  R    L  R     Pattern of 2

Pattern of 4

By no means am I a expert on colors. But I have found that using Biblical colors for children to express themselve through music it simply works. When a child see's the sun shining through the clouds they think about God and the pureness of his light.  When they see green, they think about creation, when they see the rainbow of colors after a storm they think about the promise what a covenat is. When they relate to the heartbeat, they start to realize that God listens to each of their hearts, for worship is from the heart. It is a relationship of colors they see to the Bible and the meaning of that color. We just incorporate music with the colors. We want children to relate RED to the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice. Black for sin and death. In todays world the basic colors have simular meaning to the Biblical meanings.

WHAT COLORS REPRESENT IN THE WORLD TODAY>

Black

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

If a teacher asks a child what does the green note represent?  Or what does the white note represnet or red? . In todays world everywhere we are faced with colors. In advertising they target us using colors, are cars, our cloths, our homes.

Now about Music and Color with the children we only use rhythm instruments not melody instruments. We are looking for expression, for a child to reach out with just how they feel. Each child is different and they will respond to the color's in that way. The colors represent behavior patterns, how the children feel and how they can express that feeling. So green is symbolic of happiness.

GREEN

Garden of Eden, Plants

Gen. 1:11-13, 2:8, 15

Environment,Green is primarily associated with plant life. As a result we can view it as a symbol of natural growth and life. The exception is its use in Leviticus to denote disease. Happiness

If a child is exposed to a green color for example, we ask the child to relate to the meaning of that color and play their drum or rattle to express this color. We do the same with the other colors. This way we can incorporate the meaning of the color, and expression of it with music.  It amazes me how the children respond.   White is pure light and this we relate Jesus is the light of life. 

In playing a musical instrument, expression, is important. In trying to allow the children to play how they feel. Yes for example if I put up a red note for example you would be surprised on the response you will recieve by the child. Then a green note, or a yellow one. It is important to allow children to express and be creative. In dealing with color and music, the advanced definition by Newton and other's in todays world is far beyond what we are trying to realize.

 We want the children to relate to the Colors in the Bible that God created. Relating to the pureness of light to which is God and the other colors come from light. Without light there can be no color.

Say for example we ask the children to compose a simple song using the colors of green and red. Before they can create the song we explain and enforce the Biblical meaning of the color. [See Bible Colors] Example: using green create a song about being happy. This is done in the latter weeks of the classes when the children know about the notes.

C C  G  G  C  C  E  ...etc