Wednesday
Discover the 12 Powers—Paul Hasselbeck, Unity minister
The 12 Powers are attributes of God present within us. They are Unity's central teaching about being the best Christ you can be... and therefore the best person you can be. Learn how you already use these abilities and then amp it up to use them more consciously.

Comfortable Coherent Critiques—Greg Tamblyn
Greg will focus on what's good or great about your song and help you build around that.

Getting Started with Sibelius—Fred Bogert
If you've chosen Sibelius for your notation software and this is a new effort for you, this workshop will help you jump the learning curve into making simple scores, lead sheets and transcriptions of your music. We'll point & click our way through the process and answer your questions.

Building and Growing Your Choral Ministry—Melinda Wood-Allen
This workshop will address how to create and maintain excitement, commitment and support for and from your choral ministry whether you are starting from scratch, growing your choir, reviving a stagnant choir or taking your great choir to the next level.

What Is A New Thought Song?—Richard Mekdeci, Licensed Unity Teacher
Music is the most accessible vehicle for carrying our unique message to the world, so the songs we use and write for our churches must be compatible with the theology and message of our movement. There is sometimes very subtle languaging that can make a huge difference in the meaning of a song. Attendees may bring a song to play and discuss. A valuable class for the new or veteran music director.

Song of the Inner World Mantra and Meditation—Dada Nabhaniilananda
Sanskrit chanting has been used for thousands of years to create a feeling of devotion and to induce states of spiritual ecstasy. In this workshop, participants will practice a modern variation of this, called the “Heart Circle Kiirtan,” where the entire group focuses their love energy and directs it towards one another. This uniquely accessible format gives participants a first hand taste of the bliss of chanting. Dada will then teach everyone how to successfully conduct this Heart Circle Kiirtan for any group, no matter how inexperienced they are with this kind of practice.

Keeping Up With Copyright—Todd Lowry
Each year there are new uses and new laws governing church music copyright. Stay updated on this important topic by getting clear answers to your questions and concerns about what is infringement, copyright registration, what's in the public domain, lyric changes, file-sharing, pod-casting, music licensing and other topics.

I'm a Music Director, Not a Sound Person Pt 1 (Wed) & Pt 2 (Thur)—Cliff Rubin 
Simple sound set ups to get a clean, clear room sound and recording. How to avoid feedback situations. Make the “monitoring nightmare” a dream come true for bands and singers. Work with volunteer sound persons to get what you want. The magic eq frequencies for crisp, punchy live sound. Bring drawings of your stage set up, speaker placement and soundboard. We'll use specific set ups as examples in both workshops and one of them could be yours! Q & A for additional topics as time allows.

Musical Worship Service; The 12 Powers—Blair Tabor, Unity minister and the Music Ministry Team
Hear the newest music in action as your Music Team weaves music throughout this exploration of Unity's 12 Powers of man.

Thursday
Learning To Play Well With Others; Understanding Communication Styles—Lori Sandstrom
This workshop will delight and enlighten you while teaching you how to identify communication styles and better connect with the most important souls in your life. Learn some very powerful tools that will support you in finding deeper understanding and compassion . . . for the people in your circles and for yourselves.

Underscoring and Segues—Todd Lowry
Effective underscoring isn't so much a matter of what you play as how you play it. Learn about the “5 S's,” and how to improvise or use simple chord patterns in a variety of ways to provide the perfect padding for meditation, daily word readings or prayer. Todd will also share rules for perfect segues from song to underscore to song.

Music Director 101: Making It All Work Together—Sue Riley
Learn from this 20-year veteran about how to become more than just the person who sings a song on Sunday morning. Learn how to create a “ministry” from a group of volunteers, how to weave a varied set of temperaments and skill levels into a “music ministry,” how to empower your ministry to climb to the next level, and how to become a stronger music director yourself.

Choral Reading Session—Melinda Wood-Allen
Form an instant choir with your colleagues and read through choral music suitable for Unity churches. Included will be a variety of pieces, from 2-part through SATB, general and special occasion, from large publishing companies and New Thought writers. Discover the many gems out there for which you won't need to “unitize” the lyrics.
   
Spirituality in Music—Blair Tabor, Unity minister
Explore the metaphysics and mysticism of music and add spiritual depth to your life and music. Blair will provide you with practical practices to bring more blessing to your music.

Advanced Sibelius Users Workshop—David Ezell
Gain new skills with Sibelius:
1. Score setup—choosing layouts, staff types, basic parameters (time and key signatures, etc.), font, types and sizes.
2. Importing MIDI files and scans into Sibelius.
3. Keyboard shortcuts and menu options to speed up note, lyric and other data entry.
4. Setting up song forms with repeats, first and second endings, D.C. repeats, etc.
5. Adjusting lyric, note and staff spacing.
6. Extracting parts and lead sheets from full scores, adjusting print size and layout.
7. Other topics of general interest to Sibelius users.
 
If you have used Sibelius and have issues to discuss, you are invited to bring them up. Questions regarding specific use of the program may be best answered in a scheduled one-on-one mentoring session. Please feel free to request one at the workshop.

Friday
Songwriting: Ideas, Inspiration, Tools and Techniques for Making the Most of Your Musical Musings—Greg Tamblyn
Greg shares his methods and madness for taking songs from embryo to fully developed new baby.

Old School but Totally Cool (Gettin' Jiggy with the Wings of Song Hymnal)—Jennifer Ferren
Do you have a hip arrangement of an “old school” Unity hymn or song? Jennifer invites you to “bring it on” as you come together to jam with the oldies. She will have a keyboard and amp set up and will invite everyone to show how you've breathed new life into some of Unity's greatest gems. So bring your dust rag and get ready to hip up the oldies. Please note—this is a "No Moldie" zone, so leave the schmaltz at home and break out some phresh new energy as we have fun re-creating many of Unity's most beloved songs!

Spiritual Dancing for All Ages—Blair Tabor, Unity minister
Spiritual (Sufi) dancing is an energizing experience and can be used in a variety of settings for adults, teens and children to experience a deep sense of connection with the presence of God. Rev. Blair will demonstrate how to use these simple songs and movements and the principles you will need to know to lead the dances yourself.

Hosting Successful Special Events—Sue Riley
Get some insight into how to turn your sparsely attended special events and concerts into “not to be missed” events. Sue will provide tools and information on how to use your events to empower your music ministry, lift up your congregation, generate income and bring new members into your church.

How to Play from a Lead Sheet—Todd Lowry
Learn how to successfully produce piano accompaniment from a simple melody and chord chart. Includes interpreting chord symbols and techniques to make the accompaniment interesting. Requires basic piano proficiency and some knowledge of music theory.
    
Finding Your Authentic Voice—Melinda Wood-Allen
In this workshop you'll learn how to find and strengthen your pure, true voice through exploration of the basics of good vocal production—breathing, resonance and diction. You'll learn to sing in a way that is healthy and will give you longevity in your singing career.

Saturday
The Circle Unbroken—Music Ministry Team
Write and perform a verse to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” encapsulating your week. Singing announcements, goodbyes from the staff and a joyful closing circle give you the perfect bonding and closure for your magical week.


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Check out the Sound Connections schedule, July 20 – July 24, at Unity Village, Missouri.

Workshops

Labs

Get to know our Presenters

Get acquainted with your Music Ministry Team

Accommodations at Unity Village