About Us
Instruments of Praise has been serving home school families in the Greater Houston area since 1995. The bands and orchestras are known for their excellence in performance and are afforded a number of opportunities to minister each year. The more advanced groups have performed at home school graduations, nursing homes, malls, Old Town Spring Home for The Holidays, banquets, as well as their main performances at the Founders Baptist Church. Instruments of Praise band and orchestra students have been awarded medals at the prestigious T.P.S.M.E.A. regional competition.
In March, 2007, the Full Honor Orchestra won a blue ribbon medal in the regionals and will be competing the State Competition in May 2007. In 2006, one of the trumpet players in the Instruments of Praise full honor orchestra finished in 3rd place in the T.P.S.M.E.A. All-State competition! Instruments of Praise home school bands and orchestras meet at nine convenient locations all around the Greater Houston area. The locations are: Atascocita, Spring, Clear Lake, Sugarland, Tomball/Magnolia, Copperfield, Conroe and The Woodlands.
Paul Sommer
(Band & Orchestra Director)
Paul Sommer is the founder and band and orchestra director of Instruments of Praise! He considers it a privilege that God has given him the passion and the abundant energy to direct the ministry of Instruments of Praise! Since 1993, he has directed over 100 home-school and Christian school bands and orchestras in the Greater Houston area. His professional life and ministry includes teaching, performing, speaking and conducting at various churches and schools. He has a B.B.A. from Baruch College in New York. Throughout the years, his bands and orchestras and students have been recognized for their musical excellence and individual achievements and have received numerous awards. Mr. Sommer is a member of the Texas Private School Music Educator’s Association. Paul’s passion and love of teaching music is surpassed by his love of Jesus Christ and his family.
“Music is a vital part of any culture. Music appreciation is gained through studying, composing, listening and performing, and adds richness to our lives. The study of music is an important part of a complete education. It engages students in individual and group activity, develops creativity, problem solving and critical and evaluative skills. Music education helps students acquire talent in the production and performance of music, as well as an understanding of history and culture.”
George W. Bush, President of the United States
The Sommer Family
Paul and his lovely wife, Brenda have been married since June 1988 and have been blessed with four beautiful children, Jonathan, Jason, Jared and Brittany who have always been homeschooled. Paul is very appreciative of his wife’s efforts in handling many administrative tasks of Instruments of Praise.