Scores of musicians, music directors and music lovers will gather at Unity Village on July 20–24, 2010, for the sixth annual Sound Connections New Thought Music Conference. The event is designed to support, educate and inspire ministers, spiritual leaders, musicians and music directors. Attendees will enjoy a host of inspiring and informative keynote presentations, workshops, interactive labs and other activities.

Blending Music and Ministry
“Music and worship have been inextricably tied for thousands of years and the love affair continues to this day,” says Richard Mekdeci, sacred music resources coordinator for Unity Worldwide Ministries (formerly the Association of Unity Churches International). “Imagining church without music is like imagining a rodeo without horses.” Sound Connections offers participants numerous tools for uniting music and ministry.

Mekdeci believes the role that music plays in developing and growing a ministry cannot be overstated. “The worship experience is not only about hearing a message from a minister or learning a new interpretation of Scripture. It is a complete and fulfilling worship experience that involves community building, bonding and creating atmosphere through physical vibration as only music can. [This conference] is truly a transforming experience designed to strengthen a church music department and grow your church.”

Speakers and Workshops
Some of this year's presenters include award-winning speaker, humorist, singer and songwriter Greg Tamblyn and Devotion—the renowned inspirational singer-songwriter duo of Lori Sandstrom and Robert Anderson. In addition, Jana Stanfield, a humorist songwriter and educator, will perform.

Greg Tamblyn
Songwriter Greg Tamblyn has more than 20 years of experience establishing outstanding audience rapport through powerful music coupled with an irreverent sense of humor. “I want people to know it's okay to be human, make mistakes, and especially to laugh about it all. The spiritual path and the path of healing can be funny. I want [people] to hear lyrics and stories and melodies that open and connect them to their hearts and encourage them to stay there.” 

His keynote presentation, “Peaceful Coexistence: Music Directors and Ministers,” will address effective music and ministry collaboration, music moods and lyrics as lessons.

Devotion
Devotion is a traveling music ministry that shares positive musical messages of peace and spiritual transformation. Their refreshingly original blend of pop and rhythm and blues music is meant to lift the heart, revive the spirit and capture the imagination. “Music has a way of bypassing the mind and aids in the synthesis process,” says Lori Sandstrom. “[Our] messages are always about faith, peace and healing told in story and metaphor … the principle that we are all expressions of the Divine.” 

Devotion's keynote presentation, “Answering the Call: Finding Your Authentic Life in Music Ministry,” will focus on enlightened leadership, how to find and provide moving music, and some of their favorite stories from the road. Devotion will also be this year's recipient of the Grace Note Award, honoring outstanding contributions to New Thought music.

Jana Stanfield, a multiplatinum songwriter known as the “queen of heavy mental” will also perform. As a humorist songwriter and educator, Stanfield combines laughter and wisdom into an interactive, positive experience for participants. She will present two workshops, “Making a Difference Through Spiritual Social Action” and “Take Your Performance to the Next Peak.” Stanfield was the recipient of the Grace Note Award in 2008. She describes her music as "psychotherapy you can dance to."

Conference Workshops
•    Music Director 101: Making It All Work Together, with Sue Riley
•    Spirituality in Music, with Rev. Blair Tabor
•    What Is a New Thought Song? with Richard Mekdeci
•    How to Play From a Lead Sheet, with Todd Lowry
•    Finding Your Authentic Voice, with Melinda Wood Allen
•    Spiritual Dancing, with Rev. Blair Tabor
•    Discover the Twelve Powers, with Rev. Paul Hasselbeck
•    Getting Started With Sibelius, with Fred Bogert
•    Spiritual Social Action, with Jana Stanfield
•    Music Directing 101: The Next Level, with Sue Riley
•    I'm a Music Director, Not a Sound Person, with Cliff Rubin
•    Song of the Inner World Mantra and Meditation, with Dada Nabhaniilananda

Other conference activities include special interactive labs, an opening night performance by The Unity World Orchestra and Unity World Chorus, a Friday night Grace Note Award presentation with Devotion followed by a concert with Greg Tamblyn, Jana Stanfield and Cliff Rubin. Other activities include songwriting circles and a bonfire and drumming at the Unity Village labyrinth. The Friday evening events as well as the Wednesday evening Twelve Powers Midweek Music Celebration are open to the public for a love offering.

A Gathering of Spirit
According to Tamblyn, all attendees, whether “in the business” of church music or people from the general public, will benefit. “Aside from the incredibly helpful and valuable information being shared, people will love the sense of community, networking and inspiration from being around so many talented individuals in one location.”

 

Lodging is available at Unity Village and attendees will have access to amenities including the pool, golf course, nature trails and lakes.

Register for the 2010 Sound Connections conference.

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