Word In Song Conference Sydney Seminar Descriptions
Session Two
Building a Singing Culture for Kids:
Music and singing are some of the most effective ways to teach and train our kids and young people in Bible knowledge and godliness. But often we feel under-resourced or unable to create and sustain a singing culture in our children’s and youth ministries. In this seminar, we’ll think about how to help children sing at church and at home so that they might be transformed to know and follow Jesus their whole lives.
Helpful for children’s leaders, pastors.
Church Music Masterclass:
In this session we aim to cover everything you’ll ever need to know about leading excellent singing in your church – whatever your church size or preferred style of music! We’ll look at how (as a music team) we give priority to the congregation’s voice, and how we can use any instrument and vocal combination to provide a creative and confident lead for the singing in your church. If you haven't been to a Word In Song Conference before, we highly recommend coming to this session.
Helpful for everyone – musicians, vocalists, song leaders, sound team, pastors.
Rehearsing & Arranging for a Small Band:
Many churches are leading the singing regularly with a small band. How do we lead well with limited resources? What do we do when we can't replicate the arrangements we see and hear on YouTube? This seminar will focus on how to lead in a dynamic and confident way and how to develop arrangements that suit a smaller band.
Helpful for musicians, singers.
Resources for Church Music & Production:
Sometimes the task of preparing and putting on a service can feel overwhelming. This seminar will lay out some resources and technology to help you as you prepare and plan for each Sunday, including church service planning tools, production aspects, training tools for your team, and copyright administration.
Helpful for leaders, pastors, service planners.
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.
Session Three
Song Leading:
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 mic and singing technique.
Helpful for singers, song leaders, pastors.
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.
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, vocalists.
Sound & Mixing:
Led by the team at Turramurra Music, this session is the more practical and technical side of helping the congregation to hear clearly: creating a great mix for services, balancing instruments, EQing for clarity and depth of sound, and more. This seminar is in two parts, so please come to both!
Helpful for sound technicians, musicians.
Services that Shepherd:
Join our keynote speaker Toby Neal as he chats with Liv Chapman about crafting services in a way that helps people to hear, teach, and respond to the gospel. They'll discuss the role of the service leader and others involved in the service in helping to lead in an emotionally-intelligent, theologically thoughtful and warm way. Bring all your questions!
Helpful for service planners, service leaders, pastors.
Songwriting [only at Sydney Conference in March]:
What makes a song work for a congregation to sing? We'll explore how to create lyrics that are true, poetic and relevant, and what musical issues are relevant to writing a beautiful, memorable and singable corporate song.
Helpful for songwriters, pastors.
Session Four
A Career in Music Ministry? [only at Sydney Conference in March]:
Conventional wisdom says that music is not something you should consider trying to build a career out of - much less in music ministry. But, encouragingly, many new training and career pathways are opening up which are creating new possibilities and prospects for serving Christ through music. Learn about these opportunities, so you take your next step, or encourage someone you know who might be thinking of a career in music ministry.
Helpful for those with gifts and passion for music ministry.
Electric Guitar:
How do we use our instrument to direct and not distract the congregation’s singing? This seminar will look at the key features, styles and techniques of playing the electric guitar in a church context.
Helpful for guitarists.
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!
Melody Instrument: What is the role of a melody instrument in a church band, and how can it be used to best help the congregation to sing? This seminar will look at the purpose, function, and joys of being a melody instrument in a church context!
Helpful for melody instrumentalists, pianists.
What Songs Should We Sing?:
Choosing songs thoughtfully and intentionally is key to an effective word-based music ministry. However, there is so much to consider when creating services week in and week out – and it can be hard to keep our focus on what is important! In this seminar we’ll think about how to create a well-rounded repertoire of songs for our church and talk through all the factors we need to consider when choosing from this list each week. We’ll also consider how style, instrumentation, lyrical content and liturgy affect our song choices.
Helpful for pastors, singers, song leaders, songwriters.
