While the topics of the special interest sessions change from conference to
conference,
the variety does not. There is sure to be something that interests you.
Missing seminar
descriptions will be added soon.
Mary Albing Albing
Living Into God’s Future: Leading a Congregation Into Public Engagement
A suffering world needs individuals and congregations who engage it with compassion and hope. Participants will hear stories about why and how our liturgy, preaching and music gather us and send us into the world.
James Alison
Girardian Bible Reading
We will look at the instruments of analysis provided by the “mimetic hypothesis” of René Girard and then see how they enable us to read scripture in a way that is both very fresh and entirely in accordance with the most ancient Christological perspectives.
A Catholic Theological Perspective Concerning Some GLBT Issues
There exist some specifically Catholic theological perspectives on Creation, Grace, Natural Law, the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the Ecclesial Project, and the understanding of Scripture. I will attempt to bring out how some of these can be brought to bear on some current questions relating to matters GLBT in a more positive light than is usually understood, as well as pointing towards questions which need to be opened up if Church authority is to be as happy with the emerging consensus of what is true in this sphere as most lay Catholics seem to be. (It will not be assumed that any of those attending the session are Catholics, and indeed attempts will be made to explain Catholic perspectives for those for whom they are unfamiliar).
Christopher Aspaas
Renewing the Aging Voice!
Adult Choirs across the nation are dealing with an increasing population of 'well-seasoned' singers. This session is dedicated to examining some of the physiological changes that contribute to increased vocal effort as well as strategies and exercises for combating the forces of time on the voice. Dialogue about "the talk" with singers about changing voice part will also be welcome - please bring your wisdom to share!
Lift Every Voice and Really Sing!
This session is devoted to vocal techniques for the choir rehearsal, and will share ideas and warm-ups for developing each and every voice in your choir. We will experience exercises for breathing, tone, vowel purity and unification, freely-released consonant diction, and overall vocal freedom. Additionally, we will examine several different ideals of choral tone and the philosophies underpinning our choices as choir directors.
Mel Bringle
There’s a Wideness in God’s Welcome: Hymns of Expansive Love
Many hymns written since the “hymn explosion” of the late twentieth century share a concern to “fling wide the gates”—to give voice to a broadly inclusive view of the love of God. In this presentation, we will study and sing a number of recent hymns that celebrate the wideness of God’s welcome.
David Davidson
Excerptable Oratorio Literature
There is a wealth of choral literature embedded in the great choral masterworks that are very appropriate for worship. We will explore a variety of major works and resources for this material. Special emphasis will be placed on Felix Mendelssohn for use during this celebration year. This is also an opportunity to discuss rehearsal techniques and style for each period.
What to Do With Those Pesky Instrumentalists?
Choral directors often find it intimidating to secure musical requests from instrumental musicians. This session will discuss basic terminology and language to use to get musical results and feel comfortable in front of instrumental ensembles.
David Davidson and Bradley Welch
How the Choir Director and Organist Work Together
After seven years of collaboration, this session will give insight to a successful team approach to worship planning, rehearsal and performance. This will be a helpful session for both multi-staff and duo-staff planning. We will discuss how to be alert and anticipate each other’s needs, making for more rewarding and efficient rehearsals.
Steve Edwins
Boe Chapel Architecture
Randy Engle
Sound Theology
The relevance of the organ and other forms of sound and music in theology.
Dave Hagedorn
Hand Percussion in the Church
Make authentic sounds on congas, bongos, djembe and “toys.” Learn West African and African rhythms, improvisation. Learn how to use effective percussion with ethnic hymnody.
Marty Haugen
God is Still Speaking (and Singing)
How do we hear God's voice today in the midst of other voices of violence, anger, greed and self-absorption? This workshop will consider how the words we use in song and prayer shape us for our life in the world.
The Table of the World: Eucharist and Daily Life
Holy communion is a radically welcoming and transformative feast where Christians encounter God's infinite mercy, grace and justice, and are called to “become what they receive.” How can those of us who plan, prepare and lead worship best embody this challenging Gospel message to others through our words, songs, actions?
He Qi
Gallery Showing
He Qi will show and talk about his brilliant, colorful and highly contemporary paintings that have unmistakable influence from Chinese context. Learn how he has blended together Chinese folk customs and traditional Chinese painting techniques with the western art of the Middle and Modern Ages to create an artistic style of color-on-paper painting.
Therees Tkach Hibbard
Awakening the Singing Soul: Creating Moving Musicians for Choral Performance
This session will focus on the musical, emotional, and expressive development of choral singers through the integration of the vocal/physical connection in rehearsal and performance. A demonstration and discussion of how building "body-voices” allows singers to feel, express, and understand the deep meaning in the music they are singing. Through the gentle progression of a movement class specifically designed with choral singers in mind, the participants will experience how the engagement of the whole body when singing can have a profound effect on tone, phrasing, rhythmic integrity, musicality, and create a holistic approach to choral performance.
Participants will then learn how this “body-singing” can be applied to specific choral works; as well as generating a comprehensive approach to rehearsal and performance. The discussion will draw together many contributing philosophies of using movement as a means of enhancing musical expression; particularly the work and ideas of Jaques-Dalcroze, Rudolf Laban, F. M. Alexander, and others; as well as more recent applications of these methods by contemporary artists and educators.
Jennifer Koenig
Boe Chapel Windows: Permanent Artwork, Powerful Theology
Tour the Boe Chapel windows and think about how this artist preaches and teaches the Bible and church history every day to the St. Olaf Community and its guests.
Bob Mahoney
Boe Chapel Acoustics
Jill Mahr
Handbells and Handchimes with Children
Get a few tips and ideas for working on handbells and chimes with children from someone who is in the trenches with them every week. We will discuss rehearsal structure, attention span, developing rhythm and tracking skills, and more. Bring questions and your ideas to share.
Handbell Music Reading Session
Come and ring some new music and some old favorites.
Jeffrey O’Donnell
An Introduction to Finale
Computer music notation made practical for the church musician. This introductory session will show you what Finale can do and will cover some of the program basics.
Jeffrey O’Donnell and Scott Riedel
Boe Chapel PA System
Sound Reinforcement, Recording and Webcasting for the Church: A Case Study (once)
This demonstration session will explore the challenges and opportunities for sound reinforcement, recording, and webcasting for a variety of acoustical situations and equipment. Using the Audio/Visual system of Boe Memorial Chapel as an example, we will demonstrate techniques and concepts that will help improve all aspects of your church's Audio and Video distribution operations.
Scott Riedel
Practicalities of New and Renewed Organs
Scott Riedel and Jeffrey O’Donnell
Boe Chapel PA System
Sound Reinforcement, Recording and Webcasting for the Church: A Case Study (once)
This demonstration session will explore the challenges and opportunities for sound reinforcement, recording, and webcasting for a variety of acoustical situations and equipment. Using the Audio/Visual system of Boe Memorial Chapel as an example, we will demonstrate techniques and concepts that will help improve all aspects of your church's Audio and Video distribution operations.
Elizabeth Shepley and Melodi Van Rockel
Praise the Lord With the Sound of the Trumpet, the Harp, the Lyre –
and Orff Instruments!
Raise sounds of joy in your worship service using Orff Instruments played by a large group (or just a few) of children and/or adults. Interesting melodic and percussive sounds from instruments designed to fit the physical capabilities of children and adults alike are a pleasure to add to the service in a great variety of ways. Come and explore the possibilities.
Beth Brown Shugart
Choristers Guild Choral Reading Session
Repertoire for children's choir plus some junior high/high school choir pieces.
Phil Stoltzfus
Journey Inward, Journey Outward: How to Think Theologically Through Music
What resources can pure music offer us for thinking theologically? Some of the most prominent Christian theologians have come to opposite conclusions on this question. We will look at the contrasting musical and theological perspectives of Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth, listen to music that inspired them, and explore the profound effect that their love of music had on the shape of modern theology.
Bradley Welch and David Davidson
How the Choir Director and Organist Work Together
After seven years of collaboration, this session will give insight to a successful team approach to worship planning, rehearsal and performance. This will be a helpful session for both multi-staff and duo-staff planning. We will discuss how to be alert and anticipate each other’s needs, making for more rewarding and efficient rehearsals.
Paul Westermeyer
An Overview of the ELW
A brief sketch of the ELW – its history, content, organization, perspective, checks and balances. A snapshot of some themes from the In-Depth Seminar track.
The Context of the ELW
The ELW comes at the beginning of the 21st century. This session will examine its contents in relation to today's worship practice and the culture around us, including liturgical renewal, cross-cultural sources, contemporary worship movements, liberation theologies, Pentecostal practice, and post-modern thoug
