Workshops
Workshops will be offered at four different times during the conference:
Workshop I (Monday, 11:00-11:45 a.m.)
Workshop II (Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 a.m.)
Workshop III (Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 p.m.)
Workshop IV (Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 p.m.)
Workshop titles are listed below in alphabetical order. In addition to workshops, four 90-minute in-depth learning sessions will provide opportunities for more concentrated study.
Cantatas in Context – Michael D. Costello
The cantatas of J. S. Bach are an incredible witness to the Christian faith and a valuable contribution to the proclamation of the Word. Yet, with limited time and financial resources these tremendous works are often left behind. During this workshop we will consider how Bach’s sacred cantatas can be used in Christian worship in the 21st century. We will explore methods for finding, rehearsing, and performing selections from cantatas (or even entire cantatas) in worship.
Monday, 11:00-11:45 [Brown and Gold]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Suite 200]
To Infinity and Beyond: Soaring Through Retirement – Todd Carrico
This presentation seeks to identify the unique challenges many church musicians face in retirement. Suggestions, resources and strategies for creating and maintaining a passionate, productive, and uplifting life will be offered. These years can present deep issues relating to worthiness, mental health, leadership and purpose. As we journey through this chapter of our lives, we seek to end each day in a place of gratitude and fulfillment.
Monday, 11:00-11:45 [Alumni]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Victory Bell]
Leading Paperless Music in Worship – Ana Hernández
What tunes, tips, and practices help to expand and deepen the participation of the assembly without disrupting the liturgical flow? How do we invite improvisation and deep listening in worship?
Monday, 11:00-11:45 [Victory Bell]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Alumni]
Meaningful Music: Selecting Classical Piano Repertoire for Worship – Nicole Lee
How do you select piano music for different parts of the Worship service? During this workshop, we will explore many pieces in the Classical Piano repertoire which can provide purpose and meaning throughout the seasons of the church year, enhancing the worship experience.
Monday, 11:00-11:45 [Ballrooms]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Ballrooms]
Musings about MuseScore – Joel Stoppenhagen
Notation and engraving have a profound effect on how music is read and performed by choirs, instrumentalists, and congregations. In this workshop, we will discuss the practical uses of the newly-updated free notation software MuseScore for church musicians and how you can set up stylistic parameters to achieve beautiful results. Even if you use other notation programs like Finale or Sibelius, you will find some useful tips and tricks here. Topics covered will include setting up choral scores, creating readable parts for instrumentalists, notating simplified chant and Anglican chant, transferring graphics to worship folders, and much more.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Victory Bell]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Helge Rehearsal Room]
Nurturing the Congregation’s Voice from the Organ Bench: Tips, Tricks, and Your Stories – Julie Grindle
This workshop will focus on the organ and how it supports congregational song. Come with your questions and your stories, as we review some fundamentals, and think creatively about supporting congregational and choral singing from the bench.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Bauer – in VU Center for the Arts]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Bauer – in VU Center for the Arts]
Peek Inside the LSM Worship “Laboratory” – LSM Faculty
How does LSM plan some 40 liturgies across four weeks? How does a large worship team think through myriad choices about songs, texts, stylistic diversity, training of worship leaders, and more for an intergenerational teaching community with diverse experiences of faith and music? How is the received wisdom of the church’s music balanced with contemporary needs and expressions? Those interested in such questions—and all who are curious to know more about how LSM works—are invited to attend a daily meeting of the LSM worship staff. Like an “open rehearsal,” this “open meeting” allows conference attendees to glimpse some of the inner workings of the “laboratory” model of worship at LSM. If time allows, worship staff will also be available for conversation and discussion.
Monday, 10:00-10:45 [Helge Multipurpose Room]
Tuesday, 10:00-10:45 [Helge Multipurpose Room]
Raising Our Voices: Nurturing Children to Fully Participate in the Worshiping Community – Ruth Sall
From acolytes to lay readers, liturgical dancers to greeters and ushers, children and youth can be an integral part of the worship life of a congregation. Creative engagement of children through leadership opportunities and age-appropriate roles lifts their voice in the congregation and offers everyone new opportunities to experience God reflected through them.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Suite 200]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Brown and Gold]
The Role of the Choir: Then, Now, and Future – Alexa Doebele
The role of the choir during Lutheran worship has continued to evolve over time. This session will examine what role the choir served at the beginning of the Reformation, the evolution of that role to where we are now, and avenues in which the choir might serve the Church in the future.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Brown and Gold]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Suite 200]
Seen and Unseen: The Visual Arts in Worship – Linda Witte Henke and Sara Nordling
The presentation will explore some of the diverse ways that visual artists can partner with pastors and musicians to enhance proclamation of the Word and enrich the assembly’s worship. The presentation will be complemented by rich images and will include opportunities for participants to pose questions and share experiences about the incorporation of visual art in their own worship settings.
This presentation is possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Center for Church Music.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Alumni]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Alumni]
This Far by Faith at 25 – Barry Bobb and John Nunes
The publication of This Far by Faith in 1999 was a historic moment—the first African American Lutheran liturgical and hymnal resource in the USA. Though it drew from two millennia of Christian tradition, it was the culmination of ten years of intensive, energetic, and thoughtful deliberation. As a result, it has stood the test of time, valuably and viably contributing to the worship of all Lutherans. Two of the many participants in the development of This Far by Faith reflect on the significance of its publication and its enduring legacy.
Wednesday, 1:15-2:00 [Ballrooms]
Wednesday, 4:00-4:45 [Ballrooms]
Understanding Copyrights – Mark Lawson
This session will deal with the many and various issues surrounding the use of copyrighted materials, how to properly get permission for use and reporting use.
Monday, 11:00-11:45 [Heritage]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Brown and Gold]
Using Percussion in Worship – David Eyler
This session will focus on the many and varied uses of percussion instruments in the ever changing traditional and contemporary worship service. Many resources will be offered and useful playing techniques demonstrated.
Monday, 11:10-11:55 [Bauer – in VU Center for the Arts]
Tuesday, 9:00-9:45 [Bauer – in VU Center for the Arts]