Some of the most visible people in your church are the members of your worship band. They are typically on stage as much as your pastor! What is their role as a leader in the worship gathering and what is your role in preparing them to lead? Let’s talk about it in the Worship Band = Worship Leader session.
Learning to Be “Bilingual”: Establishing Communication between Pastors and Music Leaders
Join us for the closing worship gathering at Alleluia 2021. Led by Dr. Randall Bradley and students from Baylor’s School of Music. Pastor, Les Hollon, preacher.
As adult leaders, many of us end up confused or frustrated with how different today’s young people are than when we were their age. How do we help young people lead? This session will offer practical advice of understanding and empowering young people.
A technology session presented at the 2021 virtual Alleluia Conference by members of the Sweetwater team.
When it comes to a church’s worship services, “change” is likely to be one of people’s least favorite words. This session will provide strategies for leading changes in worship style without a fight.
This open Q & A session allows the participants to tap the combined 80+ years of handbell ringing and handbell leadership by these two presenters.
Our research reveals today’s young people are drawn to churches that take Jesus’ message seriously. This session will unpack what that means and the implications for how we select songs, plan our liturgy, and consider holistic faith formation for all generations.
One of the challenges for any church musician is the need to have new music ready every week, with limited rehearsal time in the midst of busy lives and other responsibilities. There is never enough time! This workshop will offer tips and tricks to make your practice more efficient, less stressful, and more enjoyable.
A technology session presented at the 2021 virtual Alleluia Conference by members of the Sweetwater team.
When leading through difficult times, it is important to have time-tested practices to which we can turn. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested all of us in ways in which our old maps have not sufficed. Having also dealt with the death of my wife during the same time period, these practices have become even more important.
More than ever before, the contemporary worship accompanist must be familiar with a wide variety of styles. In this session, Brad will introduce you to ten accompaniment “archetypes” that you need to know!
Using several pieces of handbell literature as examples, the presenters will demonstrate possibilities for increased musicality with what we offer to our congregations and audiences. We will focus on score study, creative use of handbell techniques, and unique musicality topics related to our instrument.
A composing workshop combining inspiration with aspiration. The session will cover creating and crafting choral and instrumental resources for the worshipping church.
Intergenerational worship is a popular trend today. Which means it’s always a good idea…right? Not so fast. In this session, learn more about the dark side of intergenerational worship and best practices for doing it well.
How do you make the most of the precious rehearsal minutes you have with your handbell group? We’ll discuss thorough planning before the rehearsal, efficient execution of the plan with strong leadership during the rehearsal, and analysis after the rehearsal. We will also discuss how to approach problem solving for some of the more difficult passages using Level 1-3 music.
How do you make the most of the precious rehearsal minutes you have with your handbell group? We’ll discuss thorough planning before the rehearsal, efficient execution of the plan with strong leadership during the rehearsal, and analysis after the rehearsal. We will also discuss how to approach problem solving for some of the more difficult passages using Level 3-5 music.
As musicians, we have training and experience in what it takes to make improvements on our main instrument/voice. While there were classes to guide skills development on that from public education through college and perhaps beyond, there was not the same emphasis available on how to develop the handbell or any other type of ensemble.
Are you thinking of getting involved with handbells, and not sure where to start? This class will explore the equipment needed, ringing fundamentals, damping, handbell exercises, assignments, and beginning handbell techniques.
If you can’t hear the right things, you probably won’t play the right things either! In the Band Sound Check session, we’ll talk about the different options for monitoring and what each band member needs to hear in order to play well with the rest of their team.
The average church in the US is shrinking and aging. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are hundreds, or even thousands, that are thriving in their ministry with younger generations. Discover what these growing churches do – and how they worship – different
The focus in this session is on the teaching strategies for every known one-bell handbell technique, starting with the proper ringing stroke. This session is appropriate for both beginning handbell ringers/directors as well as those who may need a refresher on some of the more obscure techniques.
Authors and composers of congregational music have given us rich expressions with which to shape and renew our faith and help us form connections with God and with each other. But our congregations will only get the message if they pay attention to the texts they sing! In this workshop we’ll discuss how best to help our worshiping communities sing this poetry with appreciation, artistry, and enthusiasm.
This session will explore the intricacies of playing with skill, thrill, and frill. Join Molly for this session on appropriately and tastefully accompanying from the keyboard.
This session will explore techniques used by more experienced handbell ringers. Some of the subjects we’ll discuss include low bass bells, multiple-bell techniques, bell passing, weaving, and if time, several of the more ‘rare’ handbell techniques.
Join doctoral students Jon Snyder and Breck McGough as they present their research related to choirs and choral music.
The clinician will share programming ideas that build community, including use of themes, artistic collaborations, visual elements, video projects and intergenerational invitations.
Visuals and manipulatives add lots of vitality to our rehearsals. Let’s discuss creative ideas to incorporate visuals (both hard copy and digital) and manipulatives that will add sparkle to your choir sessions and make learning fun and easy. (Target: mixed age groups)
This session will explore what we discovered during the “Lockdown” concerning the ministry of choirs and choral music in the life of the church.
YouthCUE’s ground-breaking new resource, CUEcoach provides exciting possibilities for providing students basic knowledge and training for their participation in student choir. Creator and teacher Dr. Jonathan Rodgers joins the discussion to provide insights into how to gain the best benefits from this new teaching concept.
Think beyond the rehearsal. Explore easy art integration strategies to help students become learners, problem solvers and artists. Mixed age groups explore a bible story for presentation using visual, kinestic and aural arts. (Target mixed age groups)
A technology session presented at the 2021 virtual Alleluia Conference by members of the Sweetwater team.
The session is an in-depth look at the history of the spiritual, performance practice, and the arrangers.
Should worship band members be able to read music? What kind of charts are most helpful for your worship band? What is the best way to give them all the details while avoiding page turns? We’ll answer these questions and more in the Teaching Your Worship Band a Song session.
Randy Edwards guides a panel of sharp and diverse teenagers as they engage in a rich conversation about their choral experiences. The content of this discussion will touch our heads as well as our hearts as we hear how young lives are changed and enriched for the better through the choral arts we directors provide them.
Singing voices may have been mostly dormant for the past 18 months. Let’s explore some engaging ways to help children rediscover beautiful and healthy voices as we reawaken the joy of singing. (Target: mixed age groups)
Take your piano arranging skills to the next level with this informative session. Topics will include creating beautiful keyboard textures, modulations, introductions, and endings.
This session is an invitation for us to consider the potential benefits of including the silent and powerful world of visual arts in worship.
Every worship organist has encountered needs to improvise: the offering or communion takes longer than anticipated, a fanfare is needed for a processional hymn, the bridal party is running behind, variety is needed for a multi-stanza hymn, the anthem was originally written for piano. This workshop will explore easy ways to begin and build upon your improvisation toolkit.
Simple tools, tips and tricks to help the youngest singers find their voice and build beautiful tone. Rhyming texts, silly stories and imagination run wild as we use all the senses for active learning. (Target Pre-K – younger elementary).
We’ll share strategies for easy-breezy, no-stress auditions, engaging and FUN rehearsals, and quick but memorable drama “add-ons” for your church anthem performances. We’ll also talk strategies for giving EVERY child a chance to shine.
As we emerge from lockdowns and quarantines, we are cautiously optimistic about the promise of a new normal. Let’s discuss how we can best support children in the process and bring renewed energy and perspectives to our children’s choir ministry. (Target: mixed age groups)
Keep on Singing: Short Stories, Tall Truths Curriculum [back to top] Growing in Grace is pleased to present its latest curriculum with all new songs and content. Learn about this theme year that offers digital/video resources adaptable for distance learning, all essential print materials for in-person teaching, and professionally printed poster kits. (Target: Ages Four and Five)
For many children, church choir rehearsal might be their only exposure to Scripture all week! Let’s talk about strategies to engage our young singers in Scripture, using rhythm games, audiation, music, and creative devotionals.
The clinician will share tips and tricks to foster beautiful tone, using canons and favorite pieces. Examples will be shared for the youngest (Pre-K/K) through elementary age and middle school. In addition, participants will learn how to build good choral habits with young singers, use spot practicing in rehearsal, and how to successfully ask for help. Finally, the clinician will address ways to help young singers “buy in” or take ownership of their repertoire and musical skills.
Using Bible stories and children’s literature sing, say, dance and play to channel students sense of curiosity while supporting your choir curriculum. (Target Pre-K – younger elementary).
The pandemic months have uncovered a number of knotty issues related to racial equality and social justice. In this session, Randy Edwards pulls together a distinguished group of panelists who will help us wade through the challenges and celebrate the joys of becoming a truly hospitable group of singers.
These games, activities, and strategies will make church choir productive and fun for our energetic elementary singers!
Growing in Grace is pleased to present its latest curriculum with all new songs and content. Learn about this theme year that offers digital/video resources adaptable for distance learning, all essential print materials for in-person teaching, and professionally printed poster kits. (Target: Grades 1-6)
The clinician will share ways to kinesthetically engage and inspire singers in a choral setting. Solfege techniques, kinesthetic movement, warm-ups, motivation and management techniques, word wall and brain break activities will be highlighted. Come move, sing, and be physically and mentally engaged as we explore the engaging choral classroom for the young at heart singer (regardless of age).