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A1 and B1 Organ: Hymn Playing & Service Repertoire David Dahl
(two identical sessions, morning and afternoon)
Topic I (first 90 minutes): Hymn playing: one of our most important contributions to worship. Fundamentals of competent, creative hymn playing, including registration, variety in use of manuals and pedal, and with some simple improvisations for use as hymn introductions. Participants should come prepared to play two hymns (ideally as both manuals only as well as with pedal). Selections may be made from Worship and/or With One Voice. No prior experience with improvisation is required.
Topic II (second 90 minutes): Service repertoire: Participants should come prepared to play two selected pieces (hymn-based or non-hymn-based) approximately 3-6 minutes in length, suitable for prelude, offertory, postlude use, either manuals only and/or with pedal. Matters of performance practice, registration and basic organ technique will be shared in an informal class setting.
A2 Choral: Advanced Choral Conducting Richard Nace
B2 Choral: Beginning Choral Conducting Richard Nace
(two sessions; morning intermediate/advanced, afternoon beginning)
Discovering that grace and faith are key ingredients for conductors of church choirs. What movements inspire the singers to feel their own voice grow through trust and faith? How can we as conductors show grace and invite our singers to explore a deeper level of vocal expression through breath connection and vocal freedom with our hands. As conductors we need to help our choirs express their faith as they enhance the worship service not only with their voice but their spirit.
This will be a hands-on session, after some opening explanations, of gestures that invite and those that don't. Working with the gifts that each conductor already brings to the rehearsal, we will explore ways to go deeper in gestures that help singers reach a stronger connection to their breath, resonance, and musical expression.
A3 and B3 Drumming: African and Latin Percussion Lacey Brown
(two identical sessions, morning and afternoon)
Lacey Brown will be teaching two master classes on hand drumming and auxiliary percussion. She will cover technique and style of Latin percussion and African drumming and will provide tools for using percussion in worship.
A4 Contemporary: Creating a Praise Band Mark Glaeser
So, you're an organist and your task is to assemble a band to lead contemporary worship. Where do you begin? What instruments should I recruit first and what do I do with them when I get them? This session will explore everything from getting started to sound system and equipment needs, to set-up suggestions, to techniques for arranging contemporary music. With the help of a live drummer, a bass and a piano player, the class will experiment with "registering" a praise band, much as an organist might register a piece for the organ.
B4 Contemporary: Repertoire and Performance Mark Glaeser
So, you know all the hymns in LW, ELW, WOV, and more, but you have no idea where to go for contemporary music appropriate for Lutheran worship. We will hear, sing and play suggestions for liturgies, hymns/praise songs, musical offerings and more. An overview of resources printed and electronic will be shared.
A5 Handbells 101 Scott Barker
B5 Handbells 201 Scott Barker
(two sessions; morning beginning, afternoon intermediate/advanced)
Have bells in the closet and want to use them? Come learn some techniques as well as uses for handbells in everything from full choirs to small ensembles to uses for just a few bells as a part of your other programs. Sessions will cover technique, repertoire, and minor repairs. Come ready to ring!
D1 ELCA: Building the Liturgy from the Inside Out Scott Weidler
The service of Holy Communion in Evangelical Lutheran Worship has many options. The intent is to provide the basic framework with a logical, solid pattern that has stood the test of time and connected worshipers throughout the centuries. At the same time, flexibility is allowed, even encouraged, providing room for ample, creative contextualization. This session will help worship planners construct a process for worship planning that begins with central things rather than a more common, linear approach.
D2 LC-MS: Worship Leadership - Engaging People in the Worship Space and the Song
This workshop will deal with how our worship engages people and how they are engaged by their interaction with God and each other. Music is an important part of that interaction and can be the key to worship that is lively and deeply meaningful. Come and learn more.
D3 ELCA: Journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Scott Weidler
The services for Lent and the Three Days in Evangelical Lutheran Worship are the result of current ecumenical thinking, grounded in the ancient practice of the early church. To fully understand and implement them with informed creativity can be invigorating, yet demanding. In many ways, the current rites challenge many of our beloved traditions and musical choices. Participants will spend considerable time singing and imagining a renewed vision for music during the center of the Christian year.
D4 LC-MS: Navigating through the Emotional and Real Complexities of
Contemporary Worship and Traditional
The challenge and blessing of contemporary music will be explored in its fullness. How do we use contemporary song in a ‘blended’ service and how does theology of this song effect our congregations. Music and the content of our worship should be considered in light of the Holy Scriptures, the church year, the lectionary, the Sacraments, law/gospel balance, confessional/doctrinal thought, redemption and forgiveness in Christ, and the use of Trinitarian language. Come and learn more.
