Daily schedule (Tues through Fri):

8:45-9:15am:  Check-in
9:15am-10:45am: “Morning Sing”
10:55am-12:30pm:  Morning workshops
1:30pm-3:50pm:  Afternoon workshops
4:00pm:  Bonus session

Evening events as indicated below

Monday, July 22, 2013

Residence Halls open at 4:00pm
Dinner at 6:00pm
Worship at 7:30pm (Monumental Chapel)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Handbells - Anna Laura Page

I. Handbell Articulations
Preparation, correct execution of ring/damp precision, shek, martellato, singing bell, echo, mallet use, and hand-chimes.

II. Learning to Ring Musically
Dynamics, ringing technique, listening for melody within the music and how it compares to the accompaniment.  Drill bell changes.

III. Handbell Reading Session
New music plus a gem or two in Level 2-4.

IV. You Ask Me!
Time for you to ask questions about bells and play pieces using techniques from 1 & 2.

More Than 3 Hymns and a Sermon – Craig Wansink

I-IV. Seeking meaningful, relevant, creative and thoughtful worship
This workshop highlights two ways of thinking through worship planning including best (and various) practices related to sermons, scripture, confessions, assurances, prayer, and the arts.

 Conducting Master Class – Michael Trotta

I. Contemplative Conducting
Simplicity & Detachment

II. Sing What you See
Gesture and response

III. Technique
Conducting various style periods

IV. The Integral Musician
A holistic approach to conducting

4:00pm Bonus:  “Anna Laura Page Reading Session” anthems of Page, led by Page

7:30pm  Choral Rehearsal w/ Mark Hayes

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Worship Architect – Constance Cherry

I & II.  Blueprints for Worship
Comparing the work of worship leader to that of architect, these sessions offer blueprints for worship design through various phases - in any style – to encounter God in dialogical worship.

III. Worship Windows:  Encountering God Through Song
The importance of evaluating musical choices for worship that have theological, musical, and lyrical integrity.

IV. From Spectator to Participant
Passivity is a problem regardless of worship style. Learn the difference between “program worship” and “participatory worship,” its importance to all generations, and suggestions for improving participation in congregations of any size and style.

 The Church Choir – Mark Hayes

I. Choral Anthem Reading Session
Mark Hayes music for all shapes, sizes and styles of church choirs.

II.  Seeing the Divine in Yourself & Others
It may be hard to see God in a spouse, a child, co-worker, or senior pastor when he/she has ticked you off; however, God’s spirit lives within each.  Discover that image of the Divine through meditation and music including  Mark’s gift to you of a new song and anthem.

III.  Choral Anthem Reading Session
More Mark Hayes music for your choir.

IV.  Keyboard Improvisation:  Creating “Flow” in Praise & Worship Music
The basics of improvisation as it applies to the church keyboardist including modulations, chord substitutions, interludes, enhancing simple accompaniments and creating a flow between congregational songs.

 Worshipful Play the Orff Way – Abby Baird

Experience the magical, motivational Orff process through singing, moving, playing and improvising.

III. Explore speech pieces, songs, and simple orchestrations using barred and unpitched percussion for grades K-2.

IV.  Explore songs and instrumental pieces suitable for grades 3-5.

 4:00pm Bonus:  “The Ear”  with Dr. Stephanie Moody-Antonio

7:30pm:  “To Love Our God” festival worship w/ Mark Hayes conducting the 100-voice Wesleyan Worship Choir (Great Bridge Presbyterian, 333 Cedar Rd, Chesapeake)

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Beyond Bathrobes – Tom Long & Jocelyn Sluka

I. Beyond Bathrobes: Theater in Christian Education
5 ways to use drama and stories in educational settings.

II. Beyond Bathrobes II:  Theater in Worship
5 ways to use theater and storytelling in worship.  Methods and practical advice for staging scripture and creating scenes for adults and children.

III. Enacted Word:  Using Theater to Present Scripture
Bring scripture alive in worship with a wide variety of techniques including theater and oral interpretation.

IV. All God’s Children Got Tales: Storytelling
Experience storytelling techniques including principles, techniques, where to find stories, and 5 ways to tell a story in church.

Confronting Pain:  How Hymns Can Heal – Deborah Loftis

I & II. Deepest pain often results from situations difficult to share: dementia, suicide, domestic violence, drug abuse, traumatic death.  As with physical wounds, emotional and spiritual wounds need care.  Current hymn writers address these topics with open, direct language and a window of opportunity for healing.

 The Choir & Organ - Robert Hobby

I. Choral Anthem Reading Session
Hobby’s works for various voicings and difficulty levels for the church year.

II.  Building (or Re-building) a Choir Program
Face the challenges of building and maintaining a vibrant choral program with this variety of ideas from Hobby’s 25-years with a graded choral program.

III.  Organ:  Energizing Congregational Song
Explore everything from registration to tempo, free accompaniments and more to bring interest and vitality to congregational singing.

IV. Organ:   Repertoire for the Church Year.
A survey of newly published music including repertoire for the entire church year.

Sing, Chant, Arrange – Michael Trotta

III. Psalm-Singing and Chant
Adventures in text declamation.

IV. Choral Arranging
Solutions based in reality.

 4:00 Bonus:  “The Celtic Hymn Festival”  with Richard Sowers

7:30pm:  “The Journey,” a hymn festival of the Christian pilgrimage, led by Robert Hobby.  Co-sponsored by the American Organist Guild-Tidewater Chapter (First Presbyterian Church, 300 36th Street, VaBeach)

Friday, July 26, 2013

For Choir & Congregation – Philip Brunelle

I. The Thrill of Great Hymn Singing

II. Getting a “Handle” on Handel’s “Messiah”

III. Commissioning Music for Your Choir

IV. Choosing the Right Repertoire (and Order) for a Concert

 Children’s Choirs – Kathie Hill

I. Teaching as You Rehearse
Rehearsing is more than singing a song over and over.  Teach music AND musical concepts at the same time.

II. Plant a Preschool Choir – Grow a Children’s Choir
Throwing preschoolers in children’s choir is like adding oil to water . . . they don’t mix.  Learn age-appropriate concepts for preschoolers using music, activities and presentation options to prepare them for children’s choir.

III. Attracting Older Kids and Boys Through WAM
Mix elective tracks into rehearsals and see older kids and boys experience worship arts options and a quality music rehearsal.

IV. Auditions, Dress Rehearsals & Other Things to Test Your Christianity
Time-tested techniques to streamline these events and make them (almost) fun!

 Music and the Brain – Linda Maguire

I & II. Vocal Resonance & Brain Stimulation
Explore brain areas activated by natural vocal resonating chambers and sinuses including the vocal tract, plus facial structures and messaging mechanisms that enable ‘transfer’ – essential to our Christian ministry.

III & IV.  Music Memory and the Cerebellum
Often overlooked, yet responsible for enabling all performance and storage of music as well as memories.

 4:00pm Bonus:  “Sacred Choral Music of Canadian Choral Composers” with Cody Obst

7:30pm – Rehearsal of Wesleyan Festival Chorus w/Philip Brunelle

Saturday, July 27, 2013

9:30am-12:30pm:  Wesleyan Festival Chorus rehearsal (led by Philip Brunelle)
7:30pm:  ‘Finale’ – the Wesleyan Festival Chorus in a concert of sacred classics under the direction of Philip Brunelle with Kevin Kwan, organist, and the Virginia Symphony Brass (Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal, 570 W. Olney Rd, Norfolk VA)

Housing

Air-conditioned Residence Halls (includes mini-refrigerator & microwave on hall, shared bathrooms by suite or hall-wing, extra-long twin beds): $40 (private room, per night), $20 (shared room, per night).

Linens (2 sheets, pillowcase, 2 towels, washcloth): $12
Additional linen option (pillow, light bedspread): $15

Off-campus housing is available at various nearby hotels.

• See Recommended Area Hotels

The closest is the Quality Inn-Lake Wright Conference Center at 757.461.6251 (mention you're attending a VWC event for their best rates in the "Sleep Inn" during the summer months).

Fees

Full Conference:   $289

Day-rate:  $70

Half-day: $35

High school student (with adult participant):  $35 per day

Opening Dinner Buffet: $25 (already included in full-fee)

Wednesday Wesleyan Worship Choir participation fee:  $10

‘Finale’s Wesleyan Festival Chorus participation fee: $15

“Directing Church Choirs” course fee: $175

Academic Credit (MUS310-4 undergraduate credits).  Registration through the VWC Adult Studies office at 757-455-3214.