Workshops
Music Workshops...
WORKSHOP 1
Acoustic Guitar-Beginner- Cameron Turner (PLEASE BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT)
If you consider yourself a “newbie” to contemporary guitar playing, this workshop is for you! Starting at the beginning, guitarists will learn basic chord voicing’s, techniques and strumming patterns while expanding their overall worship music repertoire. So bring your guitar and get ready to work hard!
Contemporary Piano/Keyboard- Erin McQuaid
How does a classical piano player fit into a contemporary worship group? Many piano players have been confronted with this question, and in this valuable workshop, will have the chance to learn to read and play in the contemporary worship style. Come and look beyond the typical format of sheet music and take your classical training to a whole new level! Participants will be trained in their role as keyboardist in a contemporary group setting, learn to use dynamic chord voicing, and practice complimentary improvisation.
Vocal Technique- Rhianne Feser
This workshop is for all vocalists who are looking to improve their vocal stamina and control, while building upon their experience in both large choral settings and small group settings. Vocalists will learn hands-on the fundamentals of vocal care and maintenance, vocal warm-up exercises, expanding vocal range, as well as leading in the contemporary worship music style. Vocalists will also have the opportunity to develop techniques in maintaining good presence that invites and encourages the congregation to sing.
WORKSHOP 2
Acoustic Guitar- Advanced- Cecile Richard (PLEASE BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT)
This workshop is for guitarists who are more advanced in their guitar playing skills and may have prior experience in leading. Guitarists will build upon their playing experience and learn advanced techniques for leading in a worship band setting. Advanced chord voicing’s and strumming patterns will initially be covered and built upon while learning practical techniques for picking and improvising, as well as techniques for adding dynamic and style to your overall sound.
Leading on the Piano- Erin McQuaid
Not every music ministry looks the same, and if you are an experienced contemporary piano player, you can lead from the piano! Here is a workshop that focuses specifically on how to develop this less common technique for music leading. Learn the fundamentals of singing and playing at the same time, initiating vocal cues for the congregation, and how to arrange your music group from the perspective of a piano music leader. Anything a guitar-playing music leader can do, you can do too!
Song writing- Emma Fradd
What does it take to write a great song? What makes it sing-able, heart-felt, or memorable? In this intimate session come be inspired and equipped with the valuable tips and fundamental tools needed to write your own song and see it touch the hearts of many!
WORKSHOP 3
Electric Guitar in Worship- James Lipoth (PLEASE BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT)
In contemporary Christian worship today, there’s an epic electric guitar line adding dynamic to the overall sound. But not only do electric guitar’s add dynamic, they also have an ability to completely compliment the leading acoustic in a way that draws us in and peaks our interest. In this workshop, participants will take the time to pull apart those electric guitar tabs in popular worship music, as well as develop the technique for creatively improvising their own lines that not only shine, but also compliment the overall worship.
Djembe/percussion- Sean Flynn
Do you have a djembe drum gathering dust in the corner of your room? Or are you a frequent player looking for new ways to refine your skill? Djembe drum in worship can be a great way to substitute a drum kit without losing the overall goal of a rhythm section. In this instrument workshop, participants will learn to use both simple and challenging techniques to get the most out of your djembe drum.
Vocal Arranging/Blending- Caitlyn Bondy
If you have more than one vocalist in your group, then you have the opportunity for creating an amazing vocal sound. This is an invaluable workshop where vocalists will have the opportunity to learn the essential techniques for developing vocal arrangements for large choral groups and small vocal settings, as well as the essential rules and guidelines for vocal blending that will bring out the best in your vocalists.
WORKSHOP 4
Bass – Matthew Ten-Bohmer (PLEASE BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT)
Bassists play a very important role in the worship band and this can often be taken for granted. This workshop focuses on the fundamental techniques of playing and arranging the bass in a contemporary worship band, while focusing on how to work tightly within the rhythm section and develop new ways to bring out the best sound.
Music Leader’s Best Kept Secrets- Garth Pereira
Music leaders play a major role in a music ministry, and here’s the workshop the reveals the in’s and out’s, and even the best-kept secrets, of this incredible role. Learn from an experienced music leader, as well as your fellow workshop participants, what works best in leading a group of musicians, and in turn an entire congregation, in worship! Whether you lead from the piano or from the guitar, this is an invaluable workshop you won’t want to miss.
Drums- Sean Flynn
Have you been looking for an opportunity to sharpen and refine your drum kit skills? Here’s a dynamic instrument session that focuses on the use of the drum kit in the contemporary worship band. Percussionists will learn the basic methods and techniques for playing with the drum kit in either a liturgical setting or other types of worship settings. You will learn both beginner and advanced techniques for how to blend and “drive” the band, as well as how to arrange and work with a worship leader in building dynamic and style for contemporary worship.
Flow of Music in Liturgy- Paul Taylor
If you listen to Christian music today, you must realize the amazing power it has to influence our hearts toward God. But did you know that not all contemporary worship music is meant for the liturgy? How to you know what is appropriate and what isn’t? In this workshop, learn from an expert on liturgy and discover what the Catholic Church has to say about contemporary music in the liturgy. “Flow of Music in Liturgy” is a foundational workshop that touches on both the practical “how to’s” in choosing appropriate music for your parish, as well as recognizing your music ministry’s amazing role in helping to dispose the congregation’s hearts to the graces of the mass.
Youth Ministry Workshops
WORKSHOP 1
Youth Culture - Jesse LeBlanc
Youth culture is changing at a rapid pace. Even if you can count on one hand the years it’s been since you were in high school, you will find that high school students today live a totally different life then you did. If we want to build relationships with young people we need to know where they are coming from and how to connect with them where they are at. Discover what young people are watching and listening to and where you can do your own research.
Managing your time in Ministry - Caitlyn Bondy
How many times have you wished that God had added just a few more hours to each day? Or maybe one more day to the week? Youth ministry is an important business and there never seems to be enough time to do all the important tasks! Discuss and discover some simple ways to manage your time better and be more productive. Also explore some ways of having effective meetings in order to stay ahead of the game.
WORKSHOP 2
Improving Team Dynamics - Garth Pereira
Volunteers are essential to any youth ministry. It is important that your volunteers work well as team all with the end goal in mind: the evangelization of young people. In this workshop you will learn techniques and methods for improving the dynamics of your volunteer team. You will learn ways to solve conflicts, build team unity, and relate to people of different personalities and conversation styles.
Creating Sustainable Youth Ministry - Caitlyn Bondy
If starting youth ministry is difficult, keeping it running can be even more so. How do you draw new young people into your program? How do you keep your program fresh and new? How do you avoid burn out in yourself and your volunteers? Hear from a seasoned Youth Coordinator on how she started and sustained a successful youth program where the fruit is in abundance.
WORKSHOP 3
Giving Effective Presentations - Peter van Kampen
As youth ministers we have an important message to present to young people. We are often given great opportunities to communicate this message but how do we make the most out of those times? Learn some practical ways to keep people engaged, inspire an audience, and communicate your message clearly.
How to Kick Start Youth Ministry - Erin Kinsella
Starting youth ministry can be the hardest step we take on our venture to bring young people in our parish to Christ. In this workshop you will hear helpful tips for an experienced youth minister in how to start youth ministry in your parish, and keep it going in the first crucial years.
WORKSHOP 4
Ministering to Young Adults - Jesse LeBlanc
You’ve developed your children’s liturgy, your junior high school youth group, and you’re getting your high school ministry going. Now, let’s go one step further. After high school is a crucial time for most young adults to make choices about how they are going to live their life. Are they going to follow Christ, or follow the crowd? In this workshop, you will hear from Stephen Kaip from Catholic Christian Outreach which specializes in University Campus Ministry. This stage in a person’s life is very different from their high school years, so why should we minister to them in the same way? Explore ways that you can help them take ownership of their faith, join in fellowship with other young Catholics, and fall deeper in love with Jesus.
Casting a Vision for Youth Ministry - Erin Kinsella
All our lives we set goals and try to accomplish them. What is your goal in youth ministry? We all want to bring young people to Christ, but having a vision of what that looks like in your parish and how to get other people to see that vision is essential to success. Be inspired to create a vision for youth ministry in your parish and get some helpful tips to get others on board.
