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
Deeper Testimonies, Brighter Minds and Happier Families (Marilyn Dougall)
The goal of this class is for parents to learn musical tools and skills that will help them make each Sabbath Day a "delight" and a joy for their young families. Appropriate movement and music activities, which enhance brain function and development, will be taught, explained and incorporated, utilizing the new Church teaching resources.
Getting Them to the Bench (and Staying There!) (Joseph Hoffman)
We all want our children to have the enormous blessing of being able to play the piano, or any instrument, proficiently and joyfully. But why can it be so hard to get kids to want to practice? In this session, Joseph Hoffman will draw upon 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!
Music and the Restoration (Anni Scott)
This class combines world history, music history and church history, linking events and happenings to the restoration of the gospel.
Music Chairman—Let’s Do It! (Kay Card)
What’s in it for you? Or more importantly, what’s in it for those you serve in your wards and stakes? Come discover the ins and outs of being a music chair. Think about these questions. How can I help my ward/stake have spiritual musical experiences? What do all the changes within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mean in the area of music? Do I know enough and can I be the spark that begins the fire of music in my ward or stake?
Organ/Accompaniment
Pianist to Organist: Making the Transition (Neil Harmon)
This class will include basic organ techniques and will offer hints for a quick transition to the organ for those with piano experience.
Pulling Out the Stops (Neil Harmon)
A class to demystify the art of organ registration. Learn how to combine stops to achieve clarity, richness, and colorful tones.
Creating Hymn Preludes and Postludes at the Organ (Neil Harmon)
Dr. Harmon will share lessons he has learned from his wealth of experience as a composer and arranger.
Piano Accompanying: How to be a co-artist with your soloist (Julie Higgins)
Learn how to effectively and artistically accompany your vocal soloist on the piano. We will focus on basic elements of musicianship such as tempo and dynamics as well as more nuanced techniques such as weighting your hands, use of rubato and doing a proper caesura with your singer.
Choral
Choral Reading (Laurey Lee)
Come and preview music for your ward choir
Choral Music packets $20
We have so many wonderful pieces of choral music to preview and sing this year! There are hymn arrangements, original music pieces, and sacred songs for every occasion from a variety of sources. Hopefully you’ll discover some new favorites and be excited to share some new music with your choir. 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.
Fundamentals of Singing (Kristi Crusan)
Using the hymns of the church learn basic skills, often overlooked by most singers, that will improve the performance quality of any singer from beginning to advanced. Your ward choir will thank you!
Choir Rehearsal Technique: Emotion, Technique, Unity – How to Get it All (Dr. David Thomas)
Dr Thomas and members of the Portland Choir & Orchestra 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.
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
The Power of Engaging Children’s Attention so that You Can Bear Testimony During Primary Singing Time
(Sharla Dance)
What do you do as a teacher to meaningfully engage a child? How do you help children get ready to receive your testimony? In this class we will experience a few 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.
The Power of Age Appropriate Activities to Capture Children’s Attention During Primary Singing Time
(Sharla Dance)
Our brain craves variety, but needs repetition. That principle works perfectly as we teach the same song, but use a wide variety of activities to teach it! How do you introduce and teach a song in new ways all the time? 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.
The Power of Variety Versus the Need for Repetition in Primary Singing Time
(Sharla Dance)
A continuation of the last class, this class will experience more 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.