Classes

Accompanying ABC’s: Learn about appropriate prelude and postlude music, and collaborating and making music with any (or no) conductor.

Awake and arise! No more mindless singing: How do you take congregational singing to the next level? Presence, posture, preparation beats, eyes, right vs. left hand, and more.

Conducting 101: An overview of how to direct time signatures encountered in both the hymnal and in choir music. Included will be time signatures with one, two, three, and four beats per measure, with pickups and basic cutoffs.

Especially for youth—conducting hymns: Without texting or tweeting, learn easy tricks to communicate with singers so you can start together, sing at tempo, end at the same time, and lift and energize singers.

Hymns in 6: The time signature is ^8 (or ^4). Should you beat the hymn in 6, in (a modified) 4, in 3, or in 2? Find out how to use such clues as the metronomic marking, the tempo, and rhythmic patterns in the music to make an intelligent decision. (The class assumes you are already comfortable with beat patterns in 2, 3, and 4. You will learn the standard beat pattern in 6 and a modified beat pattern in 4.)

Hymns with offbeat entrances: You know what to do when the hymn begins on the beat, but what about when the hymn or a phrase in the hymn starts on the “and” of a beat? Learn how to use subdivided beats and gestures of preparation and syncopation to have offbeat entrances solidly under your control. (The class assumes you are already comfortable with beat patterns in 2, 3, and 4.)

Learning to conduct—master class option: Work one-on-one with an experienced conductor in a master class setting for 15 minutes per learner. Come prepared to direct either a hymn or an octavo for choir. We will focus on (1) effective conducting technique, and (2) verbal and non-verbal messages you can convey to a congregation or choir to help them sing better. Observers (who will be invited to become singers) are encouraged to attend. Please bring multiple copies of your choir score.

Learning to conduct—private instruction option: Work one-on-one with an experienced conductor in a private instruction setting for 15 minutes per learner. Bring your general questions about conducting or questions about how to conduct a specific piece, or come with a piece you have prepared to obtain constructive criticism of your conducting of the piece.

Making choir rehearsal the highlight of your singers’ week: A strategy for planning the weekly choir rehearsal to (1) prepare music that will inspire the Ward in Sacrament Meeting once per month, and (2) provide an enjoyable musical experience for your singers based on singing a variety of musical styles, improving the Ward Choir over time, and magnifying personal musical talents/skills.

Primary preparations—making singing time meaningful: This session is for you, whether you're an experienced musician with tons of Primary experience, a musical novice wrestling with a new calling, or somewhere in between: get and share ideas about teaching new songs, engaging kids, and bringing the Spirit to singing time.