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Interest sessions will be repeated so that you can attend as many as possible. You do not need to indicate your choices when you register. You can make your own schedule when you arrive. Workshop descriptions will be added as they come in.
New: When Words Shape the Music: Approaches to Text, Stress, and Range in Choral Writing (Innocent N. Okechukwu)
This informal presentation and demonstration explores my compositional approach to writing for choir, focusing on the relationship between text and musical gesture. In my work, the words themselves guide many musical decisions—particularly the placement of pitch, vocal range, and melodic contour. I will discuss how the natural stresses of language should influence whether a note is placed higher or lower, and how respecting textual prosody can significantly enhance clarity and expressiveness in choral music.
Too often, choral works are written without sufficient attention to the natural stresses of the text or the expressive possibilities of word painting. When this happens, the music can obscure rather than illuminate the meaning of the words. In contrast, my compositional process begins with careful attention to the rhythm, emphasis, and emotional weight of the text. By allowing these elements to shape melodic and harmonic decisions, the choir becomes a vehicle through which the text can speak more vividly.
The session will include score examples and brief demonstrations showing how textual stress can influence melodic direction, register, and phrasing. Through these examples, I will illustrate practical techniques composers can use to ensure that the musical setting reinforces rather than conflicts with the natural flow of language.
Although the presentation will take the form of an informal conversation with participants, it will provide practical insights for composers, conductors, and singers interested in the craft of text setting in choral music.
Contemporary Worship Trends and Tips (Janelle Rogers)
Reading Sessions and Choir Recruitment Ideas (Amy Blosser)
Ready, Set, Ring! (Jared Ogier)
You've got some bells and a handful of willing participants to try and ring them. Now what? Jarod Ogier will offer advice for planning rehearsals, choosing repertoire, starting new ringers and building them up with achievable metrics, and creating a culture of inclusion and growth based on sound musicianship and basic principles of ministry through music. We'll have equipment on hand to try out practice techniques and play through different types of music with an eye toward beginner and intermediate skill development and growth.
The Aging Voice: What Can Be Done to Slow This Down? (Dr. C. Andrew Blosser)
The aging voice is something that every church choir director will encounter. This session will address the inevitable and give exercises and strategies to help your aging singers sound their best.
Canadian Church Music (Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt)
Composition 101 for Church Musicians (Dr. Tim Sarsany)
Dr. Sarsany will explore arranging and compositional techniques that help create music that is both impactful and approachable for church choirs. In this session, he will showcase not only his own arrangements and compositions but also highlight works by other arrangers and composers that are particularly well suited for church settings. Additionally, Dr. Sarsany will discuss the use of descants and strategies for adapting music to fit the resources and needs of church musicians.
DEI and Justice (Rev. John Girard & Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler)
Old Tunes New Texts (Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler)
Your congregation loves those old tunes, but not that old theology! Be not afraid – there are resources available for just this situation. This interest session will help you track down new hymn texts that can be sung to those well-known melodies. You will also learn tips and tricks for writing new hymn texts yourself – a great way to make sure the hymn text lines up perfectly with the sermon or other service element.
Choral Music Reading Session
Thursday at 3:50 pm
Sight-Ringing: Reading New Music for Handbells (Jarod Ogier)
Thursday at 3:50 pm
Join our conference bell director, Jarod Ogier, for a relaxed read-through session of new handbell titles aimed at groups of all shapes and sizes. We'll discuss the unique details of each piece, read and ring together, and explore potential worship usage for each one. Jarod will also cover basic bell techniques that arise along the way and offer advice for problem solving in bell assignments, sharing, weaving, etc. It's a great way to learn more about the instruments and varied repertoire that is available in a low-key way.
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