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
Organ / Accompaniment
Primary / Nursery
General Interest
Hymn Sing
Come join us from 8:30 to 9:00 in the chapel for the annual Hymn Sing! Several different organists will play different hymn for you as we all sing along. The added feature to this sing-along is on the last verse the organist plays what is known as a free organ arrangement, or last verse harmonization. The congregation sings in unison on the last verse as the organist plays a different harmonization of certain chords and uses a fuller registration after an interlude to the last verse. A more complete explanation of this can be found on Wikipedia under last verse harmonization. You will love it and will find how it boosts the confidence of the congregation to really sing out!
Organ / Accompaniment
Piano Accompaniment Master Class (Kathy Jensen)
Pre-selected volunteers will prepare in advance, and perform a piece to accompany – such as a vocal solo, small choral piece, or vocal duet. You could even learn a hymn or Primary song, and use the class participants as your choir. The instructor will address the performer as well as the other attendees, with comments to involve and inform everyone present. Please contact kathyjensen53@gmail.com if you’d like to be one of the volunteers. All ages welcome! Please bring an extra copy of your music.
Organ Registration (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.
Resources:
Organ 101 (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!
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.
Vocal Technique (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!
Digital Choral Reading (RuthAnne Day)
We’re trying something new this year, and will display the music on a screen for the reading so there are no choral packets to purchase. Links to all the music will be posted on this website shortly after the workshop. We have a diverse collection this year with several free downloads and some regular purchases. The collection includes hymn arrangements, original music, and at least one or two for Christmas and Easter, all appropriate for Sacrament meeting.
This is a one hour class.
Choral Conducting Master Class (Jennie Peterson 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.
Primary / Nursery
Teaching Primary music (Sharla Dance)
We will experience two singing times (using 2023 suggested songs), and talk about the principles, testimony, and research behind what we experienced. Then we will experience two different singing times with questions and discussion. This is a hands on, idea filled workshop with lots of movement, singing, and engagement 😁