A NIGHT WITH EMU CONCERT (24 MAY | 7:30-9:00PM)
Join us for a night of songs and storytelling as the Emu team shares some of their songs and the passages and moments that inspired them. Hear the gospel shared and sung at this family-friendly evening of live music.
WORD IN SONG CONFERENCE (25 MAY | 9:15AM - 1:00PM)
In these past few years, most of us have experienced a time of extraordinary disruption in our churches. More than ever, we need to be clear on what the Bible has to say about singing and its place within the church. At this year's Word In Song Conference, we'll be thinking about how to create a healthy culture of singing, how to lead with clarity and confidence for the sake of the church, and how to best use our gifts to love and serve. As always, we want you to be equipped and encouraged by God's word, and to leave with useful practical skills and ideas for your music ministry. Come and join us for a fun and foundational morning of training for your church music team! Group discounts available (see below in FAQ).
PROGRAM
8:45am: Doors and registration open
9:15am: Main Session: Bible teaching
10:00am: Church Music Masterclass
10:50am: Break
11:15pm: Seminars
Song Leading
Leading from Piano and Guitar
Drums and Bass
12:05pm: Seminars
Ministry of Sound
Music for Small Gatherings
Vocal Technique
Leading a Team
12:35 Final session
1:00pm: Conference Close
Please note: seminars are subject to change.
Want to tell your team? Download our event advertising pack here:
Seminar Descriptions
In many ways, the song leader is the single most important person in leading great congregational singing. We will spend our time on the practicalities of how to lead singing well – including how to prepare, how to communicate clearly and with confidence, and how to move from simply singing to leading.
Helpful for singers, song leaders, pastors.
Leading a Team:
Effective music ministry can’t happen without someone in charge. But many of us land in the job of music director or band leader with little experience or knowing how to take the ministry forward. This session will look at the role of those in leadership, how to shape a team culture, how to shape a culture of singing in the church, and run an effective rehearsal.
Helpful for song leaders, music team leaders, music directors and those aspiring to these roles!
Leading from Piano and Guitar:
Many of our churches have just these two instruments, so how do we make the most of them? And how do we lead in a dynamic, engaged, complimentary way from these instruments?
In this seminar, we'll unpack both the harmonic and rhythmic elements of great congregational leading, and provide the tools for pianists and guitarists to understand each other better and play together well.
Helpful for guitarists, pianists, band leaders, singers.
Drums and Bass:
What does it take to create a solid foundation to a rhythm section? The bass and drums are the ‘engine room’ of any church band. We will look at: our roles, finding a part, locking in together, time, technical skills, playing the song, groove vocabulary and more.
Helpful for drummers, bassists.
Ministry of Sound:
This session is about training your ears and the practical implications of the church being called to hear God’s word: spoken and sung. We will consider how we play for different-sized congregations, volume, balance, the critical mass of a space, how to self-mix, ambient sound, and how to foster good relationships between musicians, the tech team, and the congregation.
Helpful for music pastors, musicians, sound technicians.
Music for Small Gatherings:
God has given us everything we need to hear from and respond to him, but sometimes it can feel like our small churches lack what’s necessary to put together an effective and engaging church service. At this seminar, we’ll think about how to build a service that facilitates genuine engagement with and response to God and his word, and how to motivate and train a small team, including the practicalities of music, technology, and the building/meeting space. Bring your questions and wisdom, and come along to learn together.
Helpful for leaders, service planners, pastors, musicians.
Vocal Technique:
Many of us end up on stage without any formal vocal training, which can sometimes mean we fail to sing safely and strongly. This seminar put in place some foundations of safe, strong, clear singing.
Helpful for singers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a group discount?
Yes! Group discounts are applied automatically at checkout on Conference tickets only (10% off each ticket for groups of 5-14, and 20% off each ticket for groups of 15+). We can also provide a unique code for your group so that you can all sign up individually at a discounted rate. Please click here if your team is 5-14, and please click here if your team is 15+.
2. Who is this conference useful for?
Every member of a church music team, especially those starting out in this ministry. At nearly every conference we meet someone who tells us they wish they had brought the whole team along - as listening and learning together makes the biggest difference back in your church.
Yes! The ministry of the word in song flourishes when it deliberately complements the spoken word. As the leader of the congregation's praise under Jesus, we hope you'll see the responsibility and joy of overseeing the music ministry at your church. What's more, your musicians will find it a great encouragement to see you supporting their ministry.
4. I've been doing music for many years. Will I learn anything new?
Most definitely. Many people come to Word In Song simply for the refreshment, encouragement and fellowship with those doing similar ministry.
5. We are a small church with few resources - will this day be relevant?
Yes! We love helping smaller churches work out how to effectively use their resources to lead singing. There will be lots of opportunities for applying biblical and practical principles to every context.
Cancellations
Delegate cancellations will incur a $10 administration fee. Sorry, no refunds will be given for cancellations within one week of the event. In the event that we need to cancel or postpone the conference, Emu Music will provide a full refund.
Communications
By registering you are agreeing to receive communication about this event from Emu Music. We will email you before and after the event in order to keep you informed and gather feedback.
Registration cutoff
Please note, registration for the conference will close on Tuesday 21st May 2024. We will continue to sell tickets to the concert until seats sell out.