July 15-17, 2013
Breakout Sessions are organized in the following tracks, but you are welcomed to go to sessions of interest to you in tracks other than the one you choose.
*Coming Soon* Breakout Session Detailed Schedule
Breakout Session Descriptions
Worship Leader
“Keepers of the Song” led by Joseph Martin
“Choral Techniques from the Real World ” – led by Pepper Choplin
A collection of down to earth ideas to help the typical church choir sing with passion and with a quality sound.
“Vocal Training for the Individual Singer” -led by Pepper Choplin
We'll explore the basics of good singing and learn ways to improve tone, resonance, breath control, etc. We'll sing as a class and allow volunteers to come up and receive a mini voice lesson.
“Thinking Outside the Loft” – led by Joseph Martin.
“Staying Alive: Why the Conventional Wisdom about Traditional Churches Is Wrong, Dialogue on Traditional Churches” – led by Mark Wingfield.
“Staying Alive II: Can Traditional Churches Be Creative?” – led by Mark Wingfield
“Music Technology for the Small Church: Using Available Software to Record Accompaniment if You are the Only Musician” – led by Devin Hocutt
“Top Anthems for the Small Church Choir” – led by David Archer
How do you find good music for churches without a lot of choir members? We will show and sing through musical gems that will help your small choir sparkle.
“Handbell Music Reading Session” – led by Blake Long
“Worship Services for the Church year” – led by Clif Harris
Learn to use the church year and Lectionary to plan worship services. We will explore ideas for telling the story of God's redemptive work in the world with worship experiences in all church settings.
Pastor Track
“Recovery of the Soul” – led by Mac Wallace
“Recovery of the Soul 2” – led by Mac Wallace
"Recovery of the Soul 3"-led by Mac Wallace
“Staying Alive: Why the Conventional Wisdom about Traditional Churches Is Wrong, Dialogue on Traditional Churches” – led by Mark Wingfield
“Staying Alive II: Can Traditional Churches Be Creative?” – led by Mark Wingfield
“Worship Services for the Church year” – led by Clif Harris
Learn to use the church year and Lectionary to plan worship services. We will explore ideas for telling the story of God's redemptive work in the world with worship experiences in all church settings.
Children’s Choir Track
“Stage Left or Stage Fright!”– led by Lynn Gordon
Have you ever wanted to do a children's musical but were afraid to tackle it? This session will help those of you who only have one children's choir and it's made of every child in the church!
"Resources for Children's Choir"--led by Lynn Gordon
Curriculum and collections, both new, and tried and true from various denominational sources.
“Music Games for Children's Choir” – led by Ran Whitley
“Orff Instruments”– led by Ran Whitley
This session will offer an introduction for the Karl Orff approach of teaching music to children in the church context. This class will be highly active and experiential. Come dressed to move around.
Accompanist/Organist/Pianist Track
“Organ Worship Service Music that Inspires!” – led by Danny Hester
This session will feature organ music that is appropriate for regular weekly services, weddings, funerals, and special services. It will also include hymn enhancements and free-style improvisational singing.
“Organ Registration” – led by Danny Hester
“Piano Literature” – led by Joseph Martin
“Music Technology for the Small Church: Using Available Software to Record Accompaniment if You are the Only Musician” – led by Devin Hocutt
Youth Choir Track
“Here, Ministry Begins and Ends – Beauty” – led by Randy Edwards
As worship leaders we have music as a primary tool-but not only music. There is also nature, art, science, dance, craftsmanship, athleticism, activism, friendship, compassion, philanthropy, mission endeavors, and acts of kindness. All these arenas and more hold displays of beauty for observant eyes of all ages.
“Flashpoints of Passion” – led by Randy Edwards
Those who have a fire in their bones to see choral music stay vibrant will engage significantly with their students, becoming inspirations, friends, mentors, and unofficial guidance counselors. The rewards for passionate leadership are eternally enormous. You are invited to share the dream and do the work!
“Adolescence: Brains under Construction” – led by Randy Edwards
The frontal lobes of the brain do not fully develop until sometime between ages 21 and 25. When youth choir directors “do the simple math” on that fact, we realize that the youth choir kids we direct are still years away from being able to function as mature adults. They look mature. They can sound grown-up. They might even have impressive qualities that appear “beyond their years.” But their brains are still under construction, growing, developing, changing. We need to pay careful attention to that!
“Doubling Back” – led by Randy Edwards
Although youth choir ministry must never become simply “repetitive motion,” it is still important for directors to be just as effective at beginning new seasons as we are putting together the season-ending tours. Our call is to teach and re-teach, to inspire and re-inspire, to motivate and re-motivate the students we serve. The key to this process is the depth and quality of the relationships we develop with our students. Let’s talk about that.
“The End Game – Compassion” – led by Randy Edwards
There is no greater calling than to unveil in students' lives the treasure-trove of compassion within them. Every rehearsal we hold, every measure we sing, every text we memorize, and every life we touch can reveal to them and foster in them compassion and love of Christ.