Worship Summit 2011
Class Descriptions

(updated 6/15/2011)

 

    Worship Leaders & Music Ministers            Praise Band             
Preschool Choir           Children's Choir          Student Choir
Pianists/Organists/Keyboardists      Tech Track       Handbells

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Worship Leaders & Music Ministers

1. We Become What We Worship – Dr. Curt Watke
   Looking both at a biblical theology of worship and a biblical theology of idolatry, this workshop will look beyond the worship wars to the essence of two concerns:
   1) how we proclaim and enact God’s narrative to bring honor and glory to God in our worship
   2) how what we do in worship results in what we become as the people of God.
2. Our Worship Reflects Who We Are – Dr. Curt Watke
   Building on reflections on the intersection of theology, culture, and aesthetics, this workshop will evaluate the cultural aspects of worship: the creative impulse from God, the impact of sin, the role of the arts in culture, and how we can glorify God through the arts.
3. Our Worship Is Artful Language – Dr. Curt Watke
   This workshop explores the artful language of worship that encompasses far more than hymns or choruses, choirs or praise bands, and organs or guitars; instead, the language of the arts enable believers to experience worship through hearing, seeing, and touching biblical truth.
4. We Take Our Worship To The Community – Dr. Curt Watke
   This workshop explores ways in which the artful language of worship can penetrate the community through embedding missional artisans; building artful relationships; and revealing redemption through artful communication.
5. Does Your Congregation Need A Tune-Up? – Dr. Paul Clark
   An honest look at how well our congregations “match pitch” with the Holy Spirit, resound with biblically sound worship, and whether they make beautiful harmony with one another or gather weekly to sing “sour notes” of self absorption. We will consider ways that music can unite us or divide us, and contemplate our own spiritual health being fueled by what and how we sing worship.
6. Worship Singing By The Book – Dr. Paul Clark
   A biblical theology of worship singing is presented to arm worship music leaders with biblical truth that can call the congregational choir back to its responsibility of singing worship and witness. Allow God to reignite our fire of passion by placing trust wholly in the Holy Spirit, relieving us of the ridiculous chore of chasing relevance.
7. A Worship Plan That Works Every Time – Dr. Paul Clark
   This session will explore differences in content, form, and style of worship, and consider how singing helps us engage in each of these elements meaningfully, understanding the significance of each. Participants will experiment with ways of planning and singing worship as engagement with God.
8. Worship Singing That Fits – Dr. Paul Clark
   This session will help you understand that all worship gatherings are NOT alike, and find ways to plan for worship singing that fits each distinct gathering. This session will help singers and leaders think through spiritual dynamics of gathered worship and how singing helps lift up Christ in each setting. We will also consider how different gatherings contribute to a whole life of worship.
9. Renewed Singing …Renewed Worship – Dr. Paul Clark
   This prayer saturated session will encourage singers and leaders in spiritual sensitivity through singing that engages head and heart. We will prayerfully evaluate the signs that indicate your worship needs renewing, and consider some signs that show renewal is taking place. We will also talk about the value of techniques like conducting a congregational rehearsal, and scheduling a “worship renewal through congregational singing” event.
10. Using the Visual Arts in Worship – Kerry Jackson
    Come hear an overview of how to lead your congregation in visual worship.
11. Ministry to Creatives - Kerry Jackson
    Join artist/missionary Kerry Jackson as he shares how you can personally get involved in ministering to Cultural Creatives within your local church and community.  Come hear how important it is to reach this affinity group for Christ.
12. Writing Hymns and Songs for Your Church – Tom Eggleston
    To inspire, instruct and illustrate how local church musicians and laypeople can write specific hymns and songs for their congregation.
13. Customized Help for Smaller Churches — Mark Powers
    Bring your questions and problems to this class and get direct and personal answers about anything… well, almost anything! Mark Powers brings over 30 years of practical experience in all size churches to help you get the answers you need today.
     

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Praise Band Members and Leaders

1. Essential Ingredients for a Praise Band - Jake Gulledge
   What really makes up a Praise Team? Anybody that can play anything? Musicianship is important but we will discuss some qualifications to be on the platform.
2. You Gotta Look the Part - Stage Presence - Jake Gulledge
   From mic stand and stools to positioning yourself and your teams on stage, there’s a reason stage presence is important. You communicate without words.
3. Hey...I Got An Idea - Effective Rehearsal - Jake Gulledge
   Don't you hate it when you've planned your rehearsal and every band member wants to throw his/her 2 cents in? Or sound check is complete nightmare? Here's a few tips on making them work for you.
4. Don't Worship Your Worship - Jake Gulledge
   How can you take any song and play it in 3-4 different ways? Can you use secular music in worship? Is there too much emphasis on music on Sunday's now? We'll examine some of the questions that progressive worship teams ask today.

 

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FOR GRADED CHOIR DIRECTORS:

Preschool Choir

1. Navigating “The Big Picture” – Monique Gatton
   Your GPS to LifeWay’s Children’s Music Series “Music Time” Curriculum.
2. The Tapestry He Weaves – Monique Gatton
   Is your music time complete? What makes a purposeful, memorable an denjoyalb emusic experience for our preschool children?
3. What’s New Out There for 3-5 year olds? – Monique Gatton
   Curriculum overview of Lifeway’s Children’ Music Series: “Praise’nTations”, “Tony Tots & Tunes”, “ABC Music & Me”, and “Hymn Treasures.”
4. They May Be Little But They’ve Got BIG Ideas! – Monique Gatton
   Positive Discipline & the Preschool Music Room. Based on the book Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson, Ed D.
5. Rhythm, Motion and Rhyme – Monique Gatton
   All the extras that make your music room their favorite place to be: multicultural rhythm stick games, boomwhackers, sound narrations, music games, and silly songs.
    

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Children’s Choir

Grades 1-3

1. Count Your Blessings - Andrea Chitwood
   Using rhythm, movement, and games in small or large group setting for the music maker.
2. When In Our Music God is Glorified - Andrea Chitwood
   Understanding the young voice through music selection and rehearsal technique.
3. How Firm a Foundation - Andrea Chitwood
   The essential tools for building and sustaining a successful children's choir.
4. Trust and Obey - Andrea Chitwood
   Overcoming obstacles of combined choir, classroom management and parental involvement.
5. How Firm a Foundation (Repeated) - Andrea Chitwood
   The essential tools for building and sustaining a successful children's choir.

Grades 4-6

1. Keep Them Coming Back – Melanie Sauer
   How to market choir to older children and how to keep them once you’ve got them.
2. Out of the Box Offerings – Melanie Sauer
   Musical activities, small groups, opportunities to keep the older children engaged in the musical process.
3. Loud for Now or Pretty in the Long Run? – Melanie Sauer
   Techniques to preserve the child’s voice for a lifetime, enable your choirs to sound better in the process.
4. Getting It Together—and Keeping It That Way! – Melanie Sauer
   Discover ways to organize your children's choir, your helpers, your resource room, and your "stuff."
5. Loud for Now or Pretty in the Long Run? (Repeated) – Melanie Sauer
   Techniques to preserve the child’s voice for a lifetime, enable your choirs to sound better in the process.
   
   

Children's Musicals

1. Musicals: Part 1 – Nan Allen
   Selecting a musical (reading session)
2. Musicals: Part 2 – Nan Allen
   Auditions, rehearsals, blocking, choreography, getting started
3. Musicals: Part 3 – Nan Allen
   Props, sets, costumes, and more
4. Drama With Children – Nan Allen
   Helping singers turn into actors, the value of the visual
5. Get Outta The Box – Nan Allen
   Using different art forms with children: It’s not all about choir
    

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Student Choir

1. Student Choirs – What’s It Like These Days? – Dennis Allen
   Open forum discussion on today’s student choir ministry
2. How Can I Get Started With Students? – Dennis Allen
   Discussion on initially attracting students to your ministry
3. Music for Student Choirs – Dennis Allen
   Reading session of some of most recent student choir materials
4. Staying Creative with Students – Dennis Allen
   The use of a variety of art forms, beyond just singing, in working with students.
5. Nuts and Bolts of Student Choirs – Dennis Allen
   Discussion of a variety of administrative topics, including: working with church staff and parents mission trips/tours, budgeting, outreach, etc
    

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FOR PIANISTS, ORGANISTS, & ELECTRONIC KEYBOARDISTS

Basics for All Keyboardists

1. Arranging/Composing for the Piano – James “Jimbo” Stevens
   This course will help you discover new ideas for creating your own piano arrangements. Emphasis will be placed on creative introductions/endings, false key changes, analyzing contemporary arrangements, and idiomatic writing for the piano.
2. Modulation – It’s as Easy as 1-2-3 – Paula Joye
   In less than one hour you will learn how to move smoothly and quickly from any key to any key in just three easy steps.
3. The Heart of Keyboard Ministry
   – Paula Joye
   Worship is at the heart of keyboard ministry. Take this opportunity to consider your worship leadership both on and off the bench, in special church services, to ponder your commitment to serving the Lord, and to take a look at your own personal time of worship.

 

Piano

1. Hymnprovisation, Part 1 – Cindy Berry
   How to create your own arrangements of hymns; many ideas for creative arrangements will be discussed & illustrated.
2. Hymnprovisation, Part 1 – Cindy Berry
   Continuation of ideas for creating your own arrangements. Feel free to bring an arrangement of your own, and play it for us!
3. Communication at the Keyboard – Cindy Berry
   As worship leaders at the piano, how do we get our message across? Are we just playing notes?
4. The Many Hats of a Church Accompanist – Cindy Berry
   We will explore the different facets of being a church accompanist, from spiritual preparation to playing for various groups.
5. Can’t We Just Get Along? – Cindy Berry
   A quick overview of the importance of unity among those on the music team (or believers, in general). If our hearts aren’t right with God and each other, can we really be leading in worship?
    
 

Organ 

1. Hymn Introductions and Accompaniments – Matt Limbaugh
   How to excite your congregation about hymn singing by what you play on the organ. Use piano and/or organ arrangements, classical music and anthem introductions as hymn introductions. Please bring music to play and your ideas.
2. I Can Play THAT on the Organ? – Matt Limbaugh
   How to adapt anthems, piano arrangements, solo accompaniments and other styles for the organ. Please bring anthems, piano arrangements, etc., to share.
3. Playing Organ with a Contemporary Band and other Instruments – Matt Limbaugh
   Learn what to or what not to play, when playing with guitars, drums and other praise band instruments. Please bring chord charts, and other music you would like help adapting.
4. I AM an Arranger – Matt Limbaugh
   Learn how to take a hymn and make an instant arrangement on the organ. Some tips to make it easy and enjoyable.
5.  Basic Organ 101 – Paula Joye
   “I’m a pianist who has been asked to play the organ.” If this is your story, come for a refresher course in the basics of organ playing.
6.  Basic Organ 102 – Paula Joye
   (A continuation of Basic Organ 101) Topics to be discussed include hymn playing, organ registration, pedal technique, adapting pianistic anthems for the organ, plus whatever will strengthen your keyboard ministry.  
 

Electronic Keyboard
 

1. Improvisation 101 - Traditional Hymns – James “Jimbo” Stevens
   Explore many ways to add new excitement to the great hymns of the faith by adding your own improvisational touches.
2. Chord Chemistry – James “Jimbo” Stevens
   Learn who to read the chords on a lyric or lead sheet with accuracy and confidence beginning with the most basic chords to the most complex. A must for playing contemporary styles and looking Kool for the Kids!
3. Improvisation 102 - Contemporary Songs – James “Jimbo” Stevens
   So you learned what the chords mean - Now What?? Discover accompaniment patterns for playing chords in contemporary accompaniment styles from both lead sheets and lyric sheets.
4. Did You Hear That??? – James “Jimbo” Stevens
   The music reader's guide to learning to Play By Ear. Has playing by ear seemed like a mystical art only for a chosen few? Use the music theory to know to unlock the secrets of playing by ear. This is specifically designed for those music readers who have never played by ear or for those who do, but would like to be better able to explain it.
    


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Tech Track

1. Where Does Bad Sound Come From? – Jim Brawley
   Whether with newly purchased systems or with audio equipment we already have, poor sound quality often creeps into our Worship Services: Wireless drop outs, radio interference, feed-back, muddy monitors, “I can’t hear”, “What did they say?”, “It worked last week!?”, distortion… this session offers an overview of sound system problems that are likely to give you some grief. You get a checklist of things to look for when sound gets out of control and solutions to problems your worship services have experienced.
2. Fixing Acoustical Problems With Stuff You Can Buy – Jim Brawley
   Acoustical problems are often perceived as a mystery that needs a wizard to solve. Actually the excessive reverberation and echoes that confuse clarity can be fixed with products that you can buy and easily install, or sometimes with common materials you find locally. This session gives an overview on typical acoustical problems like excessive loudness in gym spaces, echoes in sanctuaries, poor blending of choral singing, and “echoey” platforms. Problems and fixes are demonstrated with acoustical simulators that allow you to hear solutions to common problems.
3. Oh No! Digital Video – Jim Brawley
   Video playback and display systems have nearly completed the transition from conventional analog signal distribution to the digital world. Digital video display systems for your worship service have special considerations to get the picture that you want… or even a picture at all. Digital source switching needs to keep up with problems that may occur with consumer copy protection protocols and display keys. This session covers the possible obstacles to consistent digital video distribution and what to be wary of when planning your upgrade to HD and digital video.
4. Don’t Blow A Fuse - AC Power Requirements And Infrastructure For Sound, Lights, and Video – Jim Brawley
   In this session we provide an overview of the technical production systems that are needed for today’s worship experience and how to deploy them for various campus venues. Loudspeakers and mixing systems, video projection and distribution, and theatrical lighting are now needed in traditional sanctuary spaces, fellowship halls, and gymnasiums. All of these system need sufficient building infrastructure including AC power, and support for suspended equipment. Options are discussed for projectors and screens, conventional and new LED theatrical lighting, motorized lighting battens, and point and shoot vs line array loudspeakers. You will take away from this session an understanding of options available to you, whether you are planning for a new facility or retrofitting your existing building.
5. We Have Not Much Money But We Do Have A Lot Of Stuff. How To Maximize The Performance Of Your Existing Technology – Jim Brawley
   If we had all of the gear we want, life would be great. But, in most circumstances we have to make do with what we have. This session is a workshop to work with your specific equipment situation and develop recommendations on how to best use what you have to get the job done. Bring a list of your church’s equipment to this workshop.
    

 

 

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Handbells - Saturday Only

 

1. Bells 101 - George Haltiwanger
   Beginning a handbell and/or a handchime choir; introducing the essential skills needed for ringing; exercises for the ringers to drill new skills; equipment needs; correct ringing techniques; bell assignments; music resources; & more.
2. Bells 201 - George Haltiwanger
   Intermediate/some experience; levels 2 & 3; a handbell ministry; ringing expressively; music resources;  special ringing techniques; choir organization; hymn ringing; praise and worship/contemporary; all ringers are not created equal; & more.
3. Bells 301 - George Haltiwanger
   Advanced/experienced groups and techniques; levels 3 & 4+; handbells on mission; music resources; ringing with less than a full choir; ensemble & solo ringing; bells in schools; bells with other instruments; rapid ringing; rehearsal plans; musicality & more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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