The gospel is the center of our Christian faith, and its story has anchored worship for centuries across many different traditions. How do we structure worship services which…
Many church choirs are aging and lacking the ability to attract younger members. Based on a working model, this session will explore strategies that, in a local church context, are proving to be effective.
What do our emotions have to do with worship? Is healthy emotionalism even imaginable in our contexts, and if so, how do we help the people of God engage…
We live in a time when it is understood that we should play Bach and Buxtehude differently from Brahms and Bolcom. This will be a discussion and demonstration of the stylistic differences in organ literature and the performance practices of various styles.
A session focusing on the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of children’s choir leaders.
Dr. Gusukuma will present a variety of strategies for organized, engaging, efficient rehearsals utilizing conceptual teaching, conducting…
In this session, we will explore spects of technical preparations for varying styles of worship and the current challenges faced in transitioning between 2 different expressions on Sunday mornings.
Knowing how to recruit musicians for your praise band can sometimes be a daunting task. And once you get them on your team understanding how to keep them motivated to stay involved is an important part of your job as a…
A hands-on session and experience focusing on both the spiritual and musical nourishment of young singers.
Learn different practical techniques of improvisation of traditional hymns with examples of different styles and on the spot discussing of selected hymns.
Worship planning is all too often enslaved to the tyranny of the urgent. In this session, we will look at planning through the helpful metaphor of a “theological dietician,” exploring the…
One of the best ways to learn how to work with a praise band is to see a real life example. In this session we will walk through a live rehearsal with a band of church musicians preparing for…
More and more churches are switching to contemporary worship styles, and there’s no reason handbell musicians can’t participate. Come explore…
Thursday Worship Gathering led by Baylor Church Music Alum. Scott Davis.
Learn methods of creating your own arrangements and original compositions for advanced handbell choirs, from hymn settings to processionals and beyond.
Musicians have their own language and at times volunteers don’t understand the language a band uses to communicate. Sometimes we as leaders need refreshers or don’t know…
When we enter into gathered worship, we step into a battlefield where a spiritual war is taking place. How does Scripture tell us to arm ourselves? What are our chief weapons? How are…
When we gather for worship, do we really believe that God will be present in a unique way? In this session, we will…
Good technique provides a foundation for good musicianship. We’ll explore advanced techniques for both handbell ringers and conductors, and along the …
Many churches have given up on student choir and realized the error of their ways. They are seeking to go back and start their student choir ministry over from scratch. Some are stepping into new ministry positions and need to make…
Almost three years ago, at Highland Park UMC in Dallas, we created an All-Inclusive Choir and a service with the Special Needs Community. what we do, how we do it, and the Holy Spirit at work!
A hands-on session and experience focusing on sequential planning for and development of part singing skills.
J. S. Bach was one of the greatest church musicians in history. This session will be a discussion and demonstration of Bach’s art of “preluding” on a chorale tune. The approach will include a chronological journey through Bach’s chorale-based works.
Let’s explore a variety of fun resources, materials, games, and music for Grades 1-6 with an emphasis on music reading and singing skills.
A hands-on session and experience focusing on score study, rehearsal planning and rehearsal strategies.
When we step in front of a group of children, we become Herders of Cats. How to keep the Musician & Conductor inside us happy as…
In the pursuit of making excellent music, one can often overlook intangible elements of the music-making process. These elements often include shared experiences, goals, student/conductor interaction, and purposeful activities associated with the choral…
A hands-on session and experience focusing on engaging children in worship and children leading worship.
A continuation of “Plan the Work – Work the Plan” in which we’ll look at specific anthems and discover the keys to the beautiful singing that is locked inside each one.
Are you involved in or interested in music ministry to refugee, immigrant, unrepresented, or underserved children? Let’s gather and discuss experiences and ideas. We will look at the Children’s Freedom Choir in Nashville and other innovative initiatives.
Thursday Worship Gathering led by Baylor School of Music students.
Leaders of younger children’s choirs will explore the Fruit of the Spirit theme and attributes from Galatians 5:22-23 through engaging music, activities, and …
Beautiful singing isn’t easy, but with the right tools, your rehearsals can become the conduit through which praising God through song becomes an act of …
Have you ever felt tired or even exhausted after practicing the organ or playing a church service? Come and hear some ideas of ways to alleviate tension in playing. Renew your love for playing the organ!
A guide for producing a fun, musical, spiritual week of summer camp for children using Orff-Schulwerk as the guiding principal.
Leaders of older children’s choirs will explore the Fruit of the Spirit theme and attributes from Galatians 5:22-23 through engaging music, activities, and colorful resources. This session features Growing in Grace, a …
Are these two entities really in conflict with one another? Some say yes. Some say no. In this more interactive, discussion-based session, we will exchange ideas and…
We all agree that musical engagement should begin at an early age, but why does it matter so much? Join these children’s music leaders, advocates, and innovators as…
A session focusing on understanding the child voice and developmental experiences for singers of all shapes and sizes (speech-like singer…
This session is designed for musicians with little background or training in choral directing who find themselves leading a church choir. Questions…
With growing repertoire choices, countless resources, and major cultural shifts, church musicians are faced with many decisions that will impact the direction of their congregations…
A hands-on session and experience focusing on whole person and learning style awareness in working with children’s choir singers.
Learn the exact meaning of chord symbols from the most basic to the most complex and how to accurately and practically form them for playing.