2024 Class Descriptions
CEU indicates that a course or session may be counted for Continuing Education Units.
PAM Cert indicates that a course or session counts toward specific requirements of PAM Certification.
IG indicates that a course or session is an intergenerational offering.
Adult Classes
Adult Bible Study - John Mccall
The Journey Is Our Home
The image of the journey is a key theme in the Bible. For Christians, the journey is our home. In this class, we will take a biblical journey home following in the footsteps of the Pilgrim God. CEU, PAM Cert I.3
Adult Chamber Choir - Brandon Boyd
This auditioned ensemble rehearses twice daily, Monday through Thursday, and sings periodically during the week, including the evening Chamber Concert. Auditions take place during Sunday Check-In. Those selected must purchase a music packet from the on-site store at the first rehearsal. If you are 18-20 years of age, you are invited to audition for the Senior High Chamber Choir OR the Adult Chamber Choir, but not both. PAM Cert IV.1
ALICE PARKER'S HYMNAL - BETH-NEVILLE EVANS
Alice Parker’s Hymnal
This class offers both an introduction to Alice Parker’s Melodious Accord Hymnal and the opportunity to sing from the hymnal.
Art Workshop - Catherine Kapikian
Visual Proclamation
From inception to in-class completion, learn how practical parameters shape design choices and fabrication for visually proclaiming the Word. Hands-on experiences will spark fresh ideas for your home church.
CEU, PAM Cert I.1, IG
Beginning Ukulele - Rodrigo Almeida
Come learn to play! Conferees of every age can learn to play ukulele pretty quickly and the instruments are relatively inexpensive, making it a good instrument for church ensembles and a good stepping stone to guitar. Bring your own ukulele or purchase one at our on-site music store (quantities are limited). PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Beyond Sunday: Faith at Home - Kelly Fitzgerald
Many are finding it increasingly challenging to participate in congregational life every Sunday morning. It’s time to integrate faith into everyday life! Come explore building a life of faith at home.
Big Ideas for Smaller Churches - Martin Tel
Together, we will consider how we can play to the strengths of smaller congregations through collaborative planning as we seek to nurture richer and more formative practices of liturgical singing and praying. PAM Cert I.1
Children's choir seminar - mark patterson
A Season of Renewal
Learn practical choral techniques, rehearsal-based problem-solving strategies, and strong foundational thinking to rebuild and reinvigorate your children’s choir program. PAM Cert IV.1
Creating a Culture of Generosity - OLANDA CARR AND SANDRA MOON (WEEK 1), Stefanie marsden (week 2)
Is your church's approach to stewardship based on scarcity? This workshop will outline a program that has moved churches from a four-week stewardship campaign to a year-round culture of generosity.
Creating Home and Community in Song - Dónal Noonan
The Atlanta Homeward Choir works to lift those living in homelessness by creating a community in song. Come learn how to break down walls and offer your own community in song for those seeking home.
Drums and Percussion - Agustin Palomo ramos
This hands-on class will help you learn how to play and enjoy drums and other percussion instruments, grow musically, and connect to a higher power. PAM Cert IV.1, IG
The Final Journey Home: Dying Well - Richard Deibert
This session explores topics related to death: Christians preparing to die in a culture that paradoxically both deals with and flees from death. Participants will discuss being mortal, dying, and becoming immortal, and consider making directives and planning funerals.
Guitar as a Lead Instrument I - Rodrigo Almeida
At this level, students who already know how to play basic chords (major and minor) and read chord charts will explore strumming patterns, dynamics, and more. PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Guitar as a Lead Instrument II - Rodrigo Almeida
At this level, students who already know how to play major and minor chords, extensions, and inversions will learn transposition of keys and how to lead voices together in harmony. PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Handbell Seminar - David Harris and Brian Seemann
Participants will explore many aspects of handbells and learn how to take their choirs to the next level. A special feature of the class will be the use of the Laban Technique to improve performance. PAM Cert IV.1
Hymn/Song-Writing - David Gambrell & VINI FRIZZO
Through a variety of simple, playful, and accessible exercises, participants will explore the art and craft of writing hymns and songs. No previous writing or musical experience is required. David Gambrell will lead Week 1
and Vini Frizzo will lead Week 2. PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Instrumental Ensembles - Mark Britt and phil kent
These ensembles provide opportunities for instrumentalists to rehearse and perform during the conference. An on-site interview for ensemble placement is required during Sunday Check-In. PAM Cert IV.1, IG
PAM Members submitted proposals for 50 minute classes on a variety of topics. Each week of the conference, eight of these submitted sessions will be presented in a one time, 50 minute class. Descriptions of the classes can be found below.
Material Liturgy Seminar - SHELDON STEEN and kallie pitcock
Through conversation and collaboration, we will explore the role of time, body, and materials (e.g., bread, water) in making liturgy. Sensory language, verbal liturgy, and visual art in worship will be considered. CEU, PAM Cert I.1
Non-Western Hymn Playing - Ahreum Hon Congdon & Guests
Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal and other resources provide wonderful hymns created in a variety of non-Western traditions. How do we faithfully accompany them in ways that respect each hymn’s cultural roots?
CEU, PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Paying Attention in Daily Life - John Mccall
With so many voices demanding our attention, it can be difficult to pay attention to God. In this class, we will explore how we can open our lives to God’s presence.
Practical Service Playing - Ahreum Han Congdon
Creative and practical development of service playing for beginning and intermediate organists: productive hymn-playing using available resources, adapting non-choral accompaniments to organ, and more. CEU, PAM Cert IV.1, IG
Preaching Seminar - Martha Moore-Keish
Worship in an Interreligious World
Christian churches have neighbors of many religions, and people of many religions and no religion also worship with us. How do we faithfully preach and lead worship with attention to our interreligious context?
Professional Development - Mark Kemp
Hallway Conversations
As worship leaders who typically all work on Sunday mornings, it is difficult to find opportunities for dialogue with others in our areas of expertise. Most communities only have one staff musician or maybe a handful of pastors. This session provides a unique opportunity to explore valuable resources and best practices with colleagues as well as uncover current challenges in ministry.
CEU, PAM Cert II.1
Reading Sessions
Monday – Children’s Choir – Mark Patterson – 3:30 pm
Tuesday – Senior High Choir – Peter Haley – 3:30 pm
Tuesday – Handbells – David Harris and Brian Seamann – 6:30 pm
Wednesday – Adult Choir – Brandon Boyd – 3:30 pm
Thursday – Middler Choir – Emily Floyd – 3:30 pm
Routley Lecture - Swee Hong Lim
Sing Your Way Home
What are the songs that might point us homeward? What are the songs that sustain our identity as God’s people in our present realities that demand our allegiance? What theo-liturgical principles can we follow to ensure we remain faithful and steadfast to God? CEU, PAM Cert I.1
Worship Reflections - Worship Planning Team
Worship Reflections gives conferees a behind-the-scenes look at how our worship services are planned and implemented so conferees can take ideas “back home.” A moderator leads discussion and fields questions for our preacher, liturgist, liturgical artist, and musicians. CEU, PAM Cert I.1
Youth Choir Seminar - Emily Floyd
Singing for Joy and Meaning
What motivates singers? We will explore programming and rehearsing repertoire for joy and meaning using creative rehearsal techniques in anthems for children, youth, and adults. PAM Cert IV.1
Senior High Classes
Middler Classes
Beginning Ukulele - Rodrigo Almeida
Come learn to play! Conferees of every age can learn to play ukulele pretty quickly and the instruments are relatively inexpensive, making it a good instrument for church ensembles and a good stepping stone to guitar. Bring your own ukulele or purchase one at our on-site music store (quantities are limited).
Being Song for the journey - Dónal Noonan
It’s not unusual to see a homeless person in our communities. Using composition, music, and the arts, we’ll explore what makes us unique and what brings us together, with God, as the living church.
Drums and Percussion - Agustin Palomo ramos
This hands-on class will help you learn how to play and enjoy drums and other percussion instruments, grow musically, and connect to a higher power.
Enjoy games and other activities in the outdoor beauty of Montreat.
Guitar as a lead instrument i - rodrigo almeida
At this level, students who already know how to play basic chords (major and minor) and read chord charts will explore strumming patterns, dynamics, and more.
instrumental ensembles - mark britt and phil kent
These ensembles provide opportunities for instrumentalists to rehearse and perform during the conference. An on-site interview for ensemble placement is required during Sunday Check-In.
Meet the king of instruments - mitchell crawford
The organ is a versatile instrument capable of producing sounds quiet as a whisper or loud as thunder! In this introduction to the organ, we’ll explore its unique capabilities and surprising versatility.
Middler Drama - craig allen
Get inside the faith stories with your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you are full of drama or the quiet youth looking for a place to belong, this is the class for you to shine.
Practical Service Playing - Ahreum Hon Congdon
Creative and practical development of service playing for beginning and intermediate organists: productive hymn-playing using available resources, adapting non-choral accompaniments to organ, and more.
youth small groups - cat kessler
Small Groups are a daily time for laughter, connection, and conversation as you get to know yourself, your faith, and your siblings in God. Small groups are required for Senior High and Middler participants.
children's Classes
Beginning Ukulele - Rodrigo Almeida
Come learn to play! Conferees of every age can learn to play ukulele pretty quickly and the instruments are relatively inexpensive, making it a good instrument for church ensembles and a good stepping stone to guitar. Bring your own ukulele or purchase one at our on-site music store (quantities are limited).
Children's bible - kelly fitzgerald
BIBLE + FUN! Children will engage with the biblical narrative using a multi-sensory approach to storytelling. This will help them engage with the story on a deeper level and make it more memorable for them.
Children's drama - craig allen
Storytelling, movement, and music lead kids to active and imaginative participation as God’s people. This class includes preparation for theatrical or embodied liturgy for worship.
Enjoy games and other activities in the outdoor beauty of Montreat.
Meet the king of instruments - mitchell crawford
The organ is a versatile instrument capable of producing sounds quiet as a whisper or loud as thunder! In this introduction to the organ, we’ll explore its unique capabilities and surprising versatility.
choir and handbell ensembles
Choirs (open to all registrants according to age)
All choirs rehearse twice daily to prepare for singing in worship and the Friday concert.
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Adult for Adults (Brandon Boyd) PAM Cert IV.1
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Senior High for completed 9th through 12th grades (Peter Haley)
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Middler for completed 6th through 8th grades (Emily Floyd)
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Children for completed 3rd through 5th grades (Mark Patterson)
handbells - david harris and brian seemann
(OPEN TO ADULTS, HIGH SCHOOLERS, MIDDLERS)
All participants must purchase a music packet from the on-site store before the first rehearsal.
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Beginning Handchimes: Using handchimes, learn to read music in preparation for ringing handbells. (Music Level 1). PAM Cert IV.1, IG
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Beginning Handbells: Handbell techniques for those who can already read music, but are new to ringing with limited handbell experience (Music Levels 1, 2). PAM Cert IV.1, IG
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Intermediate: For those who have rung in bell choirs before and feel moderately proficient in reading music and most handbell techniques (Music Levels 2+, 3+). PAM Cert IV.1, IG
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Advanced: For those who ring regularly and feel confident in all handbell techniques and upper-level performance (Music Levels 3+, 4+). PAM Cert IV.1, IG
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Advanced (auditioned): For experienced and proficient ringers (Music Levels 4, 5). Auditions held on site during Check-In. PAM Cert IV.1
Interest Sessions
week one
10:00AM (Adult)
Presbyterian Worship in a NEW KEY - Chris clay (Monday)
This workshop will explore diverse expressions of modern worship and the ways it resonates with today’s congregations.
building choral tone through repertoire selection - mark helms
(Tuesday)
This session explores how thoughtful programming and rehearsal sequencing can move choirs beyond the short-term demands of individual pieces and instead build musicianship and tone for the long-term.
Singing the Psalms - Joan Wooten (Wednesday)
This session will introduce participants to tonal singing of Psalm texts.
Seasons of Church Change - Dr. Phyllis Sanders (Thursday)
The session addresses critical issues related to worship and church ministries: effective communication, increased collaboration, and the assurance that the worship service is safe and secure from all alarms.
4:30PM (adult)
unstuck! Reimagining tradition - brennan michaels (Monday)
We will explore ways in which directors can employ greater agency to reimagine liturgy and offer flexibility so that God’s Great Commission is prioritized over the tenet to keep things the same.
guest musicians: successful hires! - mark britt (monday)
This class focuses on hiring practices and performance considerations of guest instrumentalists to provide a fulfilling, professional-level musical experience in the sacred setting.
The Promise: An Intergenerational Musical - Laura Jernigan (Tuesday)
Explore The Promise, a musical based on the family of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac. Along with the writer/composer, we will sing songs, read scenes, and consider ways to present the musical.
What We Still Owe Erik Routley - Nancy Graham (Wednesday)
The Dunblane Music Consultations led by Erik Routley sparked a lasting contribution to contemporary hymn writing through creativity and collaboration.
Musical Maximalism: Singing the Church Year -John Allen Bankson
(Thursday)
There are many more opportunities for song in the Service for the Lord’s Day besides hymns and anthems. By maximizing them, we can become more fully immersed in the rhythms of the Church Year.
week two
10:00AM (adult)
Presbyterian Worship in a NEW KEY - Chris clay (monday)
This workshop will explore diverse expressions of modern worship and the ways it resonates with today’s congregations.
A Quick Start Guide to Choral Singing - Matthew Bumbach (Tuesday)
From rehearsal procedures to reading music, new singers have a lot to learn when they join a choir. Dr. Matthew Bumbach will present a practical and compact guide to give new singers confidence.
Ten Approaches for Presenting Scripture in Worship - Tom Granum
(Wednesday)
A single reader reading Scripture in worship is only one of many approaches to presenting Scripture in churches. Explore more than ten approaches to presenting Scripture with multiple readers. Some approaches include music, but others do not.
Worship and the Enneagram: A Practical Guide - Stephanie Ells
(Thursday)
In this seminar you’ll learn practical ways to enfold spiritual practices specific to Eneagram numbers in personal and corporate worship from a current PC(USA) pastor.
4:30PM (adult)
Creating Meaningful and Memorable Gatherings - Austen Wilson
(Monday)
This session will present a framework about creating memorable events and worship services to build stronger church communities. Attendees will brainstorm ideas relevant for their own contexts.
guest musicians: successful hires! - mark britt (monday)
This class focuses on hiring practices and performance considerations of guest instrumentalists to provide a fulfilling, professional-level musical experience in the sacred setting.
A Plan for a Weekly Zoom Class on an Upcoming Hymn - Stephen Fey
(Tuesday)
An overview of methods and resources to lead a weekly online (Zoom) session of less than an hour, considering in depth one of the hymns in the upcoming service of the leader’s home congregation.
What We Still Owe Erik Routley - Nancy Graham
(Wednesday)
The Dunblane Music Consultations led by Erik Routley sparked a lasting contribution to contemporary hymn writing through creativity and collaboration.
Singing Social Movements in Taiwan after 1945 - Wei-Nung Wang
(Thursday)
Discuss the documentation of Taiwan’s recent history from the 1940s to the present through Taiwanese hymns and anthems.
Art Workshop - Catherine Kapikian
Visual Proclamation
From inception to in-class completion, learn how practical parameters shape design choices and fabrication for visually proclaiming the Word. Hands-on experiences will spark fresh ideas for your home church.
Beginning Ukulele - Rodrigo Almeida
Come learn to play! Conferees of every age can learn to play ukulele pretty quickly and the instruments are relatively inexpensive, making it a good instrument for church ensembles and a good stepping stone to guitar. Bring your own ukulele or purchase one at our on-site music store (quantities are limited).
Being Song for the journey - Dónal Noonan
It’s not unusual to see a homeless person in our communities. Using composition, music, and the arts, we’ll explore what makes us unique and what brings us together, with God, as the living church.
Drums and Percussion - Agustin Palomo ramos
This hands-on class will help you learn how to play and enjoy drums and other percussion instruments, grow musically, and connect to a higher power.
Enjoy games and other activities in the outdoor beauty of Montreat.
Guitar as a lead instrument i - rodrigo almeida
At this level, students who already know how to play basic chords (major and minor) and read chord charts will explore strumming patterns, dynamics, and more.
Guitar as a lead instrument iI - rodrigo almeida
At this level, students who already know how to play major and minor chords, extensions, and inversions will learn transposition of keys and how to lead voices together in harmony.
Hymn/Song-Writing - david gambrell
Through a variety of simple, playful, and accessible exercises, participants will explore the art and craft of writing hymns and songs. No previous writing or musical experience is required.
instrumental ensembles - mark britt and phil kent
These ensembles provide opportunities for instrumentalists to rehearse and perform during the conference. An on-site interview for ensemble placement is required during Sunday Check-In.
Meet the king of instruments - mitchell crawford
The organ is a versatile instrument capable of producing sounds quiet as a whisper or loud as thunder! In this introduction to the organ, we’ll explore its unique capabilities and surprising versatility.
Non-Western Hymn Playing - Ahreum Hon Congdon & Guests
Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal and other resources provide wonderful hymns created in a variety of non-Western traditions. How do we faithfully accompany them in ways that respect each hymn’s cultural roots?
Practical Service Playing - Ahreum Han Congdon
Creative and practical development of service playing for beginning and intermediate organists: productive hymn-playing using available resources, adapting non-choral accompaniments to organ, and more.
Senior High chamber choir - PETER HALEY
This auditioned ensemble rehearses twice daily, Monday through Thursday, and sings in worship and the evening Chamber Concert. Auditions take place during Sunday Check-In. Those selected must purchase a music packet from the on-site store at the first rehearsal. If you are 18-20 years of age, you are invited to audition for the Senior High Chamber Choir OR the Adult Chamber Choir, but not both.
youth small groups - cat kessler
Small Groups are a daily time for laughter, connection, and conversation as you get to know yourself, your faith, and your siblings in God. Small groups are required for Senior High and Middler participants.