Individual class registration is not required. Pick which classes you wish to attend, and show up. Workshop registration is encouraged as it helps us to appropriately plan for the numbers of people and the range of interests.
Classes listed are subject to change. Information will be added here as it becomes available.
General Interest
XYZ Through Music – Power of Music with Seniors (Nancy Bair)
Xtend Years of Zest to your life through music! Learn how to keep the seniors in your life active and engaged with the power of music through hands-on demonstrations.
The Secret Antidote to the “I Hate Practicing Piano” Syndrome (Joseph Hoffman)
Kids naturally like music, so why do they hate practicing so much? A lot of it has to do with HOW we approach music lessons and practicing. In this session, Joseph Hoffman will draw upon his years of research and practical experience with directing his own music school of 300+ students to share his secrets for motivating kids to not only practice but to ENJOY it, too!
Power Practice Skills (Annette Upton)
Are you ready to supercharge your practice sessions? Do you want to accomplish more in less preparation time? What if you could actually enjoy rehearsing? Join us as we discuss key tools to for making the most of your precious practice time.
The Healing Power of Music (Ann Christensen)
“[Music] from the heart to the heart” L. van Beethoven
In this class, violinist Ann Christensen, assisted by her brother, Chris Christensen on the guitar, will demonstrate the power and relevance of live music in bringing the Spirit to any situation, by enhancing peace and joy, faith and forgiveness. No matter your level of accomplishment as a singer or instrumentalist, you will be encouraged to employ this unique and powerful righteous force to heal and strengthen relationships.
Music Chair Boot Camp: Music Matters! (Eric McKirdy)
Music matters! Especially in our wards and stakes. This class will focus on how to magnify your calling as a ward or stake music chairman. We will discuss who makes up your music staff, and key into ideas for how to provide opportunities to involve more members and non-members in our music programs. We will rehearse how we can use music to strengthen testimonies, develop talents, and unify our ward and stake families. As music chairman, you play an important role in blessing lives–yours and others. Music matters after all!
Organ/Accompaniment
Playing Challenging Pedal Parts (Don Cook)
For a beginning organist, playing the pedals at all is challenging. For a more experienced organist, some hymns and pieces offer more challenging pedal parts than others. We will cover some of the basics that could help anybody’s feet to find the right keys, and will figure out some of the most challenging pedal parts in the hymnbook.
Hymn Playing that Makes a Difference (Don Cook)
A church service lasts about one hour. That’s not much time for an organist to help set the stage for what will be the most worshipful hour of the week for many who attend. The way we accompany the hymns can contribute mightily to the spirit of the event. This class will offer a few keys to doing just that.
Prelude and Postlude Registration (Don Cook)
Every organ has some magic hidden in its many stop possibilities, but the best stop combinations don’t happen by chance. There is “method to the magic,” and the methods are no secret. When you leave this class, no matter your level of experience, you should be better prepared to find great stop combinations for your preludes and postludes.
Organ Classes For Youth (Kymberly Payne)
- Introducing the Organ! A Tour of the “King of Instruments”
The organ has been called “The King of Instruments,” but it is an instrument that many consider boring and outdated. This class will give youth and young adults a comprehensive tour of the organ “King of Instruments” to demonstrate the versatility and power of the organ! - Pedal Playing for Youth: Learning pedal technique through familiar melodies
Many pianists consider playing the pedals the most intimidating part of learning the organ. In this class, we will learn how to tackle the pedals (even with short legs!) and have fun along the way while learning pedal technique through familiar melodies. - On the Bench: Things YOU can do at the Organ TODAY!
The organ is a complex instrument, and approaching it can feel overwhelming. We will bust that myth in just one session! During this special class for youth, we will discover music that we can play successfully on the organ TODAY! There will be time for each attendee to be on the bench and play something on the organ.
Improve your Piano Accompanying Skills (Julie Higgins)
Join Julie for a fun and informative session about accompanying on the piano for Church services.
Choral
Choral Reading (Laurey Lee)
We have so many wonderful pieces of choral music to preview and sing this year! Twenty songs in all! There are hymn arrangements, original music, and sacred songs for every occasion from a variety of sources. Hopefully you will find lots of new ideas and be inspired to lift your choirs to a higher level. This is a two-hour class.
Basic Hymn Conducting (Deanna Peabody)
Learn how to conduct hymns. Learn basic beat patterns, cut offs and pick up notes. Practice with a group and have a chance to conduct the group in singing a hymn accompanied by the piano.
Choir Rehearsal Technique: Emotion, Technique, Unity – How to Get it All! (Dr. David Thomas and Members of the Portland Choir and Orchestra)
Dr. Thomas and the PCO Adult Choir will engage in a “normal” rehearsal; at least for the first few minutes…comments from class members will direct what happens next. You are welcome to simply observe but we also invite you to throw your voice into the class conversation and influence the flow of this rehearsal. You will not be conducting, rather adding comments, asking questions, and giving feedback on how the rehearsal is progressing. We expect that all of us will come away with new ideas for effective rehearsal management as we work together in this unique class setting.
Conducting Master Class: Learning By Doing! (Dr. David Thomas and Members of the Portland Choir & Orchestra)
Observe 3 workshop attendees as they work on polishing hymns in choir performance, using the PCO Adult Choir for demonstration. Alternatively titled “Show What You Mean and Mean What You Show”, this class will offer specific guidance on refining the conductor’s physical gestures to more effectively encourage the desired singing from the choir.
Primary/Nursery
Are You Listening? The Power of Engaging Children’s Attention so that You Can Bear Testimony During Primary Singing Time (Sharla Dance)
In this class we will experience a hands on Singing Time example using this year’s songs, and ways to prepare the children to be “engaged and listening” in order to hear your testimony. (Some of the ways may surprise you!) We will also discuss how to choose activities to best fit the song because of what the “essence” of a song is.
I’m a Big Girl Now! The Power of Age Appropriate Activities to Capture Children’s Attention During Primary Singing Time (Sharla Dance)
In this class we will experience more hands on Singing Time examples using this year’s songs, and talk about and experience what is and isn’t appropriate for different ages (which, by the way, contributes to how children will act during Singing Time). We will also discuss what to do if you have both Younger and Older children mixed together.
What’s Next? The Power of Variety Versus the Need for Repetition in Primary Singing Time. (Sharla Dance)
In this class we will experience a wide range of different activities to teach a song that support the many varied ways our children learn (think Multiple Intelligences). Get ready to move and do! We will examine powerful principles that make for success teaching a song. We will actively move, tap, pop, click, shake, jingle, swish, and puzzle out! Come ready to experience a wide range of activities for this year’s songs.