The Portland Regional Music Workshop has been held annually for 28 years with the purpose of providing real, practical support to members of the LDS church serving in musical callings, as well as any other person who may one day hold a music calling. Workshops are designed to provide hands-on, relevant, and useful training. People who come to our workshops leave not just inspired, but instructed, motivated, and equipped with the tools for the job. The few hours you spend with us will enliven your service experience and enrich the lives of those you serve.
Each year, the workshop welcomes a special guest presenter, along with powerful and dynamic presenters from all over the western states and beyond. The workshop’s first special guest was Dr. A. Laurence Lyon, and in the years following, guest presenters have included Bonnie Goodliffe, Roger Hoffman, Dave Zabriskie, Jerold and JoAnn Ottley, Michael Ballam, Marvin Goldstein and Dan Carter, to name a few.
The weekend begins with an LDS Performers Concert on Friday night. This concert features local LDS musicians of all ages, performing a variety of music spanning instruments and ensembles of all kinds, and in a wide variety of genres including classical, jazz, folk, broadway, pop and more.
Workshop class sessions are presented on Saturday. Local and non-local guest presenters with specialized experience in all areas of church music present more than 20 classes designed to strengthen members serving in callings pertaining to primary and youth music, choral & congregational conducting, choral reading, ward & stake music chairmanship, organ playing, and Relief Society music. Other classes of interest include music theory, internet resources, opera, music therapy and composition.
The workshop is governed by a volunteer committee, some of whom have been part of the committee since the first workshop was presented. Support is provided primarily by the Beaverton Oregon Stake, with additional support from surrounding stakes. Participation in the workshop is always free to members.