Download PDF Flier / Mail-in Registation

Annual Music Conference

Saturday, March 3, 2011

Murray UU Church
www.murrayuuchurch.org

505 North Main Street

Attleboro, MA

Directions: From either North or South on Rte 95 take Exit 5. At the end of the exit, take a left to the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill. At the lights, take a right onto Rte 152 (which is also North Main Street) going toward center of Attleboro. Murray Church is one mile on left.

9:00   Gathering and opening worship with Mary Neumann

9:30  Morning Workshops A

A-1. Worship Leadership for Children's Choirs, Gail Carey and Shawn McCann

Our child singers play a vital role in worship leadership within our church homes. Children have a inherent gift of opening the heart. As music leaders, we have an opportunity to help guide our children in the creation of beauty.  This workshop will examine the interface of worship leadership and children's choir development. We will provide dynamic examples of how to nurture young worship leaders.

A-2. Tending the Spirit through Song: Cindy Mapes, Music Director and co-founder, and Kate Mason, co-founder, presenters. JourneySongs, an interfaith hospice choir based at First Unitarian Society in Newton Mass, is part of a growing movement. Through singing and a panel discussion, learn about the pleasure and benefits of song for patients, families, staff, and singers. Explore the process of developing a choir in your community.

A-3. Rhythm for Choir, Matt Meyer: Rhythm for Choir is an energetic, fully participatory workshop designed to help choirs better understand rhythm in the mind, body, and spirit. With Matt’s guidance, the choir will explore the theories and practices of West African, South Indian and European perspectives on rhythm.

10:45   Break

11:00   Morning Workshops B

B-1. Kirtan: John Calabria  There are many theories as to why the ancient practice of Kirtan has been growing in popularity, the main one being it works, It quickly brings one to a state of calm grace. Kirtan is the call and response style of learning mantras, prayers, and songs of devotion. In this session john Calabria will play some Indian instruments, and teach the origin and meanings behind some of these ancient chants.

B-2. Beginning Conducting: Allegra Martin, the Beginning Conducting workshop will offer new and less-experienced directors a chance to work on their conducting patterns, giving clear cues, and showing dynamics. Conductors will lead the workshop participants in singing hymns or short choral works.

B-3. Beginning Organ for Pianists, Richard Hill, This workshop will address concerns of pianists who are faced with organs with which they need to adapt piano skills. The nature and treatment of organ stops, pedal technique and manual technique will be addressed. There will also be an extensive repertoire list and a pile of music for organ with minimal pedal parts.

12:15  Lunch

1:15  Choral Repertoire Reading Session: Anne Watson-Born, conductor

Closing Worship: Matt Meyer

For more information and snow number: Richard Hill at (smhill42ne@earthlink.net)   Lila Farrar (lilamfarrar@gmail.com) or Anne Watson-Born (music@fusn.org)

Conference Co-Chairs:

Richard Hill, BCD UUMN District Liaison

Anne Watson Born, MBD UUMN District Co-Liaison

Lila Farrar, Music Director, Brookfield UU Church, Brookfield, MA