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.
General Interest
Worship Is Never Accidental: Intentional Worship through Music in Church Meetings (Dr. Schank)
Principles for priesthood leaders and music coordinators as they work together to effectively invite a worshipful experience for members in our Church meetings.
Where’s My New Hymnbook? Pulling Back the Curtain on the Hymnbook Revision (Dr. Schank)
Learn about the process of creating a new worldwide hymnbook and other developments in Church music.
Organ / Accompaniment
Help! I’m the New Organist (Ramona Jones)
This class will provide ideas and helpful suggestions for those pianists who have recently been asked to be the organist at Church. Key differences between the organ and the piano, proper bench position, your organ console, organ memories, how to set pistons, expression shoes, melody coupler and bass coupler, working with your music director.
Tools for Having Success at the Organ (Ramona Jones)
For the Church organist who wants to learn to play the organ correctly. The importance of organ shoes, 4 families of organ sounds, learning to play the pedals, fingering techniques, marking the score, registration ideas for different types of hymns as well as prelude/postlude, changing registration between verses, how to handle page turns, making your practice time count, etc.
Leveling Up Piano Accompaniment: Accompany with New Power (Maura Brewer)
This class is for pianists of all levels. Whether you’re a choir accompanist, primary pianist, or just love playing piano, learn some tips and techniques to level up your accompaniment skills and bring the power of music and the spirit into each piece and performance.
Going Beyond the Page: Arrangements and Medleys (Leah Espinoza)
Looking to enhance your musical numbers or add more messaging and power to your performances through combining songs, adding nuance & detail, or making your own unique mark? The instructor will walk through a variety of methods for “going beyond the page”, from simple to advanced, across several performance types. Then, there will be a practical demonstration of arranging a few example hymn medleys while explaining common pitfalls & challenges like key & tempo changes and keeping everything flowing cohesively. This class is well suited for pianists, accompanists, instrumental performers, singers, choir/music directors, and anyone else wanting to increase their creativity in expressing music!
Choral
Sing, Choirs of Angels: Coming Closer to Christ in the Ward Choir (Dr. Schank)
Tips and tricks for creating effective and meaningful experiences in ward choirs.
Choral Conducting Master Class (Dr. 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.
Volunteer for the master class here: Choral Conducting Master Class
Vocal Instruction (Kristi 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!
Vocal Technique: Master Class (Kristi Crusan)
Expand your vocal artistry by applying the techniques introduced in our first class! This interactive master class offers personalized coaching in a supportive environment to apply what you’ve learned, receive constructive feedback, and elevate your singing to the next level. Perfect for singers of all levels looking to build confidence and consistency in their performance.
If you would like to volunteer to perform and receive one-on-one guidance during the master class sign up here: Vocal Technique Master Class. Whether performing or observing this master class provides an inspiring and educational experience for all participants.
Primary / Nursery
Engaging Every Child and Inviting the Spirit Into Primary Music – 2 hour class (Donna Howard)
This class will explore ideas for helping children feel the spirit and engage in learning through primary music. Come away with activities that you can implement right away in your primary singing time and ways to successfully plan going forward.
See, Hear, Touch, Know: Inviting Children to Christ Through Primary Singing (Maura Brewer)
This class will explore how to address developmental needs of each age group, learning through the senses, and nursery singing time.