Music that Makes Community X: Atlanta
March 11-13, 2010
St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 2160 Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna, GA 30080
Music that Makes Community is a three day conference dedicated to exploring a style of singing that transforms worship and more deeply forms Christian community.
We are starting a movement in the Church, rekindling an ancient practice of singing… a way of music making that has been central to folk traditions for centuries. Taught and sung from memory, it is simple and beautiful, faithful and traditional. Sung without the use of a book, these songs allow congregations to focus on listening to one another, being attentive to the Holy Spirit, and singing from their hearts
“Paperless” music can be sung by any group of any size, and in any setting. Making use of such elements as repetition, round, and call-and-response, this communal music makes singers of people with a wide variety of musical skill in any size of congregation. Paperless music teaches congregations to sing together confidently in harmony and lets ‘non-singers’ discover the pleasure of learning music together For an evening alternative service, it can be led by musicians or a practiced lay singer. On a Sunday morning for a church with thriving music programs, choirs and rich organ tradition, regular use of a paperless piece (along with the regular hymns and service music) will steadily build congregational singing. In churches with fewer resources and even no trained musicians, the new tradition of paperless music can restore a congregation’s singing voice and music’s community-building gift.
Join us this spring to learn how to introduce this kind of music to your parish. Music That Makes Community is designed specifically for clergy, musicians, and lay people who want to learn how to lead music effectively without the use of hymnals or other printed materials.
Our time together will be both practical and theoretical. Participants will learn the skills involved in selecting and leading “paperless” music, and will have ample opportunity to practice these skills. We will also spend time discussing the role of this type of music in the church and its potential to effect congregational transformation. See this music being taught in YouTube clips from previous conferences.
Hosted by All Saints Company and St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, the conference will draw together facilitators and leaders from around the country to explore paperless music in an environment of mutual learning. Lunch (included in the registration fee) will be provided each day.
CONFERENCE FACILITATORS
Ben Allaway is a composer and conductor with 25 years of teaching experience and music ministry at all levels. He currently serves as choir director and composer-in-residence at First Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa.
Rick Fabian founded St Gregory of Nyssa Church, San Francisco, developing congregational music and dance there for 30 years. He has composed unaccompanied congregational music for Episcopal Church publications and for MMC conferences.
Ana Hernandez is a composer/arranger and author of The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice. She’s recently finished her sixth CD - HARC: Blessed by Light. She is working on an internship to provide therapeutic music at the bedside through the Music for Healing and Transition Program.
Donald Schell is a founding rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco and President of All Saints Company. He consults widely on liturgical and community growth.
Scott Weidler is Associate Director for Worship and Music of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Director of Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Chicago.
REGISTRATION
Music that Makes Community: Tuition: $270
Special Group Tuition Rates for Groups sending multiple participants:
Groups of 3 or 4: $240
Groups of 5 or more: $200
TO REGISTER - CLICK HERE
* PLEASE NOTE: To register as a group, please have each person register individually, skipping the payment step. Then have one member contact our office at info@allsaintscompany.org to coordinate payment.
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation is not included in tuition, but off-site housing is readily available through many area hotels. Visit http://www.hotels.com for a full listing.
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