|
Workshops
In addition to the workshops, everyone
is encouraged to participate in either the Conference Choir with David
Neiweem or the Conference Bell Choir with Karen James. Biographies of the
workshop leaders are available on the
Presenters page.
Monday, July 30 Workshop Session 1 1:00-2:15 pm
Organ Masterclass – Dr. Jo Deen
Blaine Davis
(continues on Tuesday)
Play your favorite prelude, offertory, or postlude for the group. There
will be conversations on hymn playing, anthem accompaniments, and organ
registrations. Hear the latest publications in organ repertoire for the
church year.
Please indicate the composition you
would like to play when you register.
Choral Conducting Masterclass – Dr. David Neiweem (continues on Tuesday)
Participants are invited to conduct a
piece for the class for critique of conducting technique and
interpretation. Please indicate the piece you would like to conduct when
you register and be prepared to provide 25 copies of your piece for the
class to use.
Creative Use of Handbells in Worship – Beverly Simpson and Maggi Tucker
Handbells can do so much more for the
worship service than provide music for preludes and offertories.
Discover many useful and effective ways in which the unique qualities of handbells can lend just the right touch to introductions, interludes,
readings, worship events. Make bells an integral part of your church's
worship experience. Come and learn from two long-time church musicians
experienced in handbell directing and composing.
Composers’ Forum – Dr. Timothy Brown (continues on Tuesday)
Composers of all levels are invited to
submit a composition to be critiqued by the class. Please send scores
for analysis by
June 1, 2012 to: Dr. Timothy Brown, P.O. Box 24496, Denver, CO 80224.
Participants will need to supply copies of their compositions to the
class. You will be contacted by email to let you know how many copies to
bring.
Make a Joyful Noise: Drumming in Worship – Susan Strand
The history of drumming will be reviewed briefly and then workshop
participants will discuss the use of drums in worship and in meditation.
They will then explore the various types of drums and rhythm instruments
that can be used in a worship service. The philosophy of uniting a group
of people, some of whom have never played a drum, some who cannot read
music, and some of whom are youngsters who just want to “bang on the
drum all day,” will be discussed. Workshop participants will then be
taught several rhythms that they can take back to their churches to use
in establishing their own drum groups. While the African tradition
involves learning drumming rhythms by listening to them being played
from birth to adulthood, written notations of the rhythms taught in the
workshop will be provided to each participant. A few drums will be
available, along with numerous rhythm instruments. Participants are
encouraged to bring their own drums if they have them. Previous drumming
experience is not required.
Monday,
July 30
Workshop Session 2
2:30-3:45 pm
Introduction to Solo Ringing – Karen
James
Master solo ringing teacher Karen James will
share all the basic information to help you begin your solo
ringing career: table
set-up, techniques, repertoire resources, equipment, rehearsal
techniques, accompanists, and presentation. Not just for solo ringers,
as all of these techniques can also be used within the company of a full
group.
Exploring Spirituals – Joe Utterback
This workshop will explore the variety of styles and rhythms in American
spirituals. Dr. Joe will reference such texts as Songs of Zion and the
Harry Burleigh Collection. As part of this short journey through the
world of spirituals, Joe will play examples of the selections he
discusses.
The Church Musician as Theologian and
Spiritual Guide – Rev. Bruce Epperly
Church musicians often serve as theological and spiritual resources for
choir members and congregations. In this workshop, participants will
explore: 1) their role as theologians and theological resources, 2)
spiritual practices for church musicians, choirs, and congregations, and
3) the relationship between theology and worship styles and
congregational hymns.
Notation Software – Timothy Brown and
Anne Hamilton
This workshop is a brief introduction to Finale music notation software
for the church musician. Have you wanted to write your own introit?
Transpose a descant for a Bb trumpet? Perhaps you've written new verses
for a public domain hymn tune, or a new tune for public domain words?
Finale can give you professional-looking results.
Pre-school Children’s Choirs –
Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis
Excite young children and their families with music in the church.
Ideas for children’s rehearsals will include singing, rhythm
instruments, and motion activities. Wear comfortable clothes for this
session.
Monday, July 30 Reading Session 3 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Handbell Music: Accessible and Worthy –
Karen James
Karen James will draw on 30 years of experience to select several new
and classic pieces for us to read through in this session. The emphasis
will be on pieces that will enhance worship and can be learned and
offered well by most choirs with a reasonable amount of rehearsal.
2 Part and SAB for Adult Choirs – Anne
Hamilton
Tuesday, July 31 Workshop Session 4 1:00 -2:15 pm
Organ Masterclass (continued from
Monday)
Choral Conducting Masterclass
(continued from Monday)
Directing Handbells – Karen James
How does
directing handbells differ from conducting other groups? Since most of
our ringers come to a handbell group without any previous instruction on
how to play this instrument, we directors must constantly be teaching how
to produce the best sound possible from our bells and ringers. We’ll
explore various ways of coaching new and veteran ringers to make beautiful
music together.
Composers’ Forum (continued from
Monday)
Anthems for the Small Church Choir –
Peter & Mary Alice Amidon
This is a participatory singing workshop of SATB anthems, both a
cappella and with piano accompaniment, that were collected, composed
and arranged by the Amidons and that are ideal for the small church
choir. Many of these anthems were originally composed or arranged by the
Amidons for their small choir at the Guilford Community Church, UCC in
Guilford, Vermont and are now being sung by church and community
choruses throughout the country. The Amidons’ anthems, often rooted in
songs and hymns from the oral tradition, are accessible to a wide range
of singers.
Tuesday, July 31 Workshop Session 5 2:30-3:45 pm
Handbell Techniques – Karen James
There are many
techniques used in handbell music beyond the straight ringing/damping
technique. When executed properly, these techniques add color and variety
to the music. Participants will learn how to musically execute the shake,
pluck, thumb damp, hand damp, brush damp, let vibrate, martellato,
martellato lift, echo, swing, gyro, vibrato, ring touch, and to weave!.
Ringers will be introduced to the "Three S's": Stance, Seat and Stroke,
and will focus on developing a relaxed ringing style to help control the
bell and ring dynamically.
Vocal Techniques for Choir Rehearsals
– Dr. David Neiweem
Developing an Eclectic Repertoire for
Congregational Singing – Dr. Daryl Hollinger
This workshop will examine the vision and practice of using a variety of
song styles in worship. Participants will experience simple techniques
for enlivening congregational singing in the following styles: Chant,
Renaissance and Baroque Dance, Early American, African American, Gospel,
Folk, Latino, African, Asian, Contemplative, and Contemporary Music.
Hospice Singing: Songs for Hospice and
Healing – Peter & Mary Alice Amidon
This is a participatory singing workshop of sacred and secular a
cappella SATB songs for bringing comfort, joy, and even a kind of
healing to families and their loved ones who are on their final
journey. The Amidons are both members and Peter is a founding member
and co-music director of Hallowell, an a cappella SATB chorus
that has inspired the founding of many other a cappella SATB
hospice singing groups in Vermont, New England and beyond, most of whom
are singing many of the Amidons’ choral arrangements as part of their
core repertoire.
Tuesday, July 31 Reading Session 6 4:00 – 5:00 pm
SATB: New and Exciting – James
Winfield
Music for Children’s Choirs – Maggi Tucker
Back to the top
|
.jpg)