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 examples from last year. The page will be updated with current class options by January 2025.
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!
Ward Music Chair (Jennie Peterson)
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?
Resources:
Organ / Accompaniment
Piano Accompaniment Master Class (Kathy Jensen)
The accompaniment class would like two to three volunteers to participate. Preparing in advance, the volunteer would perform an accompanied piece of their choosing. Bring your soloist or small choral group with you. If you would prefer the class participants to be your “choir”, bring a hymn or Primary song which you have prepared. You will receive instruction in front of the class for the benefit of all who attend. All ages welcome, and youth are highly encouraged to volunteer. To allow sufficient time, please contact Kathy Jensen if you’d like to be a participant or have questions. 503-312-6818 or kathyjensen53@gmail.com.
Resources:
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. The class will include a quick review of basic conducting.
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.
Technology and the Ward Choir (RuthAnne Day)
With the internet being such a vast resource, how do you know where to look, and what to look for? This will be an opportunity to share questions and answers about where to find music, what other tools may be available, and share ideas of what works for you in your ward.
Resources:
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.
Primary / Nursery
Teaching Primary music (Sharla Dance)
We will experience two singing times (using 2024 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 😁
Different concepts will be presented each hour.