Workshop day possibilities
In the course of an event, Marty typically leads three types of sessions--presentations (plenary sessions), reading sessions (sessions which present music and other resources in a teaching demonstration context) and workshops (practical, skill-building sessions). Each of these sessions can be presented individually or (more richly) with an ordained colleague or addtional musician (see the "booking an event" page.
Here are some of the sessions he can provide (of course, once you have arranged for Marty to present an event, he will work with you to create whatever event is most helpful for you).
Presentations
Our Life in Worship/Our Life in the World - Authentic and vibrant worship happens in the creative center where our own story engages and dialogues with a living tradition. In these times of rapid transition, how can worship leaders insure that the prayer of their communities remains faithful and true within our own particular culture and age?
To Serve as Jesus Did - What does it mean to be a "minister?" Using Jesus as the model for all ministry, this session examines how each of us can the most effective and helpful servants of our communities, in worship and in their life.
Community Prayer: A Collaborative Experience - Liturgy is the work of the entire community. All the various ministries--presider, musician, lector, hospitality &, most especially, the assembly--share in a common celebration of death and new life in Jesus. How can those of us in leadership positions name and nurture the important role of the assembly in community prayer?
Reading Sessions
These are sessions of reading through a variety of songs, psalms and service music, with suggestions for teaching and use. Once an event is scheduled, Marty will help you plan reading sessions that best suit those attending. This customized reading session can be supplemented by one or more of the following sessions:
Music Within the Sunday Gathering - Music plays an essential role in the "full, active and conscious participation" of the assembly. This session is a "walk-through" of the four-fold ancient liturgical form,--gathering, WORD, EUCHARIST, sending--offering creative musical suggestions about how this structure can help us in the renewal of our weekly prayer together.
Turn My Heart: The Journey
from Brokenness to Healing - We
have all known difficult times, as
Music From & For the World Church - Every culture manifests God's power and compassion and grace. If we are to truly begin to comprehend the breadth of God's Reign, we need to celebrate the voices and traditions of every culture. This reading session will explore how the music and music-making of many different cultures can give us a new experience of God's presence through other expressions.
Workshop Sessions
The Care and Feeding of a Parish Music Program - It requires skill, determination, patience, sensitivity and grace to build and maintain a good parish music program. This workshop will help the parish musician in such areas as recruitment, covenanting and spiritual formation, running rehearsals, preparing for liturgy and organizing effective worship committees.
Making a Joyful (& inviting) Noise--The Ensemble Sound - It is not enough to simply play or sing well. How the ensemble of instruments and voices work together within a particular space will determine whether or not the assembly is supported or frustrated in their own sung response. In addition to practical suggestions about instrumental arranging, positioning and presentation skills, this workshop will also consider environmental issues--visual and audio placement, acoustics and sound reinforcement.