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.
Primary / Nursery
General Interest
Ward Music Chair Training and Sharing (Kathleen Westhora)
Where do I begin? How do I best serve my ward or stake and help bring the spirit into the lives of church members? Come discover the ins and outs of being a music chair. Where can I find help to magnify my calling?
Folk Songs and Stories from our Church Heritage (Jeanine Orme)
Folk songs are part of our Church history. This class will be fun and interactive with fiddle tunes, stories and singing together.
Organ / Accompaniment
Coloring Time for Organists (Kevin Murset)
We will cover best practices for building effective stop combinations to use during hymn playing, and use that knowledge to help us think outside the (Swell) box for prelude and postlude performances. Also included are instructions and resources to improve your fundamental organ technique skill set.
Survival Course for the Pianist: Building Confidence in Organ Playing (Kevin Murset)
“I was just asked to play the organ, and I don’t know what to do with all of these buttons!”
By the end of this course, you will have the ability to navigate any organ console, and know what to do with it. We will discover what each button, knob, or switch does, and which technical skills will help build your confidence as an organist. Come prepared with questions, no matter how simple they may seem!
The Art of Accompaniment (Julie Higgins)
Learn how to accompany your vocal soloist effectively and artistically 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
How to Build a Successful Ward Choir (Marci Taylor)
Ward Choir director is the most fun calling! We will focus on key organization and communication ideas that help build a ward choir in addition to successful performance and rehearsal ideas. All questions are welcome.
Resources:
Basic Choral Conducting (Jennie Peterson)
In this class we will learn the very beginning concepts of choral conducting from beat patterns, to posture, to hand position, and more. If you would like to be comfortable leading the music for a congregation or other group, this is a good fit. We will work together to start a good foundation in choral conducting. Bring a willingness to participate and any questions you’d like to have answered.
Choral Conducting Master Class (David Thomas and Members of the Portland Choir and 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 encourage the desired singing more effectively from the choir.
Fundamentals of Singing (Kristy Crusan)
This class will focus on basic singing skills, often overlooked by most singers, that will improve the performance quality of any voice. Whether you are a beginning singer hoping to blend in a ward choir or a seasoned soloist, these essential techniques will help you improve your breath support, range, and tone while reducing vocal fatigue. Singers and choir directors alike will learn valuable tools as we explore the physiology of singing. Your voice will thank you!
Primary / Nursery
- 9:30-9:55 Help for New Primary Music Leaders & Pianists
- Presented by Tessa Olson
- 9:55-10:20 Do You Feel Stuck in a Rut as a Primary Chorister?
- Presented by Liann Crane
- 10:30-10:55 How to Teach Songs to Younger Children
- Presented by Lindsey Broderick
- 10:55-11:20 How to Challenge Older Children Who Know it All
- Presented by David Greaves
- 11:30-11:55 Using Body Movement to Teach Children Music
- Presented by Laura Morgan
- 11:55-12:25 Idea Share
- Led by Helen Woller