Workshops

3:15 – 4:00 PM  |  Workshop I

Nelson Dodge

Empowering Chapter Leaders: Practical Strategies for Engaging Volunteers and Committees

Practical methods and strategies for leaders of small- and medium-size chapters to develop effective volunteers/committees, make Executive Committee meetings purposeful, and ultimately achieve the chapter’s goals.  Includes tips for conducting efficient Zoom meetings.  Come prepared to share ideas/tactics that were successful in your chapter.

3:15 – 4:00 PM  |  Workshop II

Chris Perry and Valerie Harris

Inspiring the Next Generation of Organists with Orgelkids

Discover the excitement of introducing young students to the organ through Orgelkids, a hands-on, miniature pipe organ kit designed to make learning fun and interactive. This workshop will guide you through the steps to bring Orgelkids to your chapter, including practical tips on securing funding and community support. Learn effective strategies for presenting the organ in classrooms or group settings, with techniques to keep kids engaged, curious, and excited about music. Join us to explore ways to spark a lifelong love for the organ and enrich your chapter’s outreach through Orgelkids.

4:15 – 5:00 PM  |  Workshop III

Christopher Samuel

Elevate Your Choir: Choral Techniques and Repertoire

This workshop addresses the impact of Covid on choir attendance and commitment, especially within church and community choirs. Many singers now view rehearsal time differently, believing performance goals can be achieved with less effort, affecting the quality and complexity of music that can be learned. This session will focus on strategies for achieving high musical standards in this new environment, using thoughtful repertoire choices and teaching techniques tailored to ensemble skill levels.

4:15 – 5:00 PM  |  Workshop IV

Leslie Wolf Robb

Ignite & Inspire: Strategies to Cultivate the Next Generation of Organists

How can we ensure a vibrant future for organ music? This engaging workshop explores creative strategies to spark interest in organ study and empower the next generation of organists. Discover innovative ways you and your chapter can inspire young musicians, foster supportive learning environments, and build lasting connections in your community. You’ll leave with a toolkit of resources, ready-to-use materials, and fresh ideas to kickstart programs and mentorships. Come prepared to share your passion, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of organ music!

2:00 – 2:45 PM  |  Workshop V

Valerie Harris

Mastering Digital Scores: ForScore Essentials for Organists

Discover how ForScore can transform your practice, performance, and organization as an organist. This workshop will cover key features of ForScore, from digital score management and annotation to efficient page-turning and setlist creation. Whether you’re new to digital scores or seeking to optimize your ForScore workflow, join us to learn practical tips tailored to the needs of organists. Bring your iPad for a hands-on experience!

2:00 – 2:45 PM  |  Workshop VI

J. W. Arnold

The Weekend Organist: Strategies for Part-Time Church Musicians

Are you a weekend organist? Most part-time church musicians must do more with less – rehearsal time, budgets, volunteers, smaller instruments – all while still creating a dynamic worship experience AND balancing a day job. In this interactive session, J.W. Arnold, author of “The Weekend Organist” column in The American Organist magazine, will lead conversation about the challenges and opportunities weekend organists face, and share both new and trusted organ music, worship collections, choral anthems, and other resources. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to share the tips and tricks that you’ve developed in your own part-time music ministry.

3:00 – 3:45 PM  |  Workshop VII

Collin Boothby

Supporting the Aging Voice: Strategies for Choir Directors 

This session offers choir directors practical techniques backed by scientific understanding to better their ability when working with aging singers. Participants will explore vocal health strategies, adaptable rehearsal techniques, and repertoire considerations tailored to meet the unique needs of mature voices. Learn how to support your singers in maintaining vocal strength and confidence, ensuring a rewarding musical experience for all

3:00 – 3:45 PM  |  Workshop VIII

Larry Lathom

How to Hauptwerk 

Hauptwerk is a computer program which enables a user to play digital samples of hundreds of organs around the world which have been recorded pipe by pipe. Larry will take you on his eight year journey with Hauptwerk from the beginning with a laptop computer, a 5 octave Korg keyboard, a set of headphones and proceeding through many upgrades to his present home organ with a 3 manual, 106 draw stop console and 12 channel audio system which makes those 32’ Pedal Ranks shake the house. He will provide some useful resources in starting your own journey, cost options, some useful advice on what works and what does not.

3:00 – 3:45 PM  |  Workshop IX

Gordon Stevenson

Unlocking Creativity: An Organ Improvisation Workshop 

This workshop guides organists of all levels in developing improvisational skills, covering harmonic progressions, thematic development, and rhythmic creativity. Participants will build a “toolbox” of techniques for creating musical narratives across styles, including hymn-based, free-form, and structured variations. Practical exercises and demonstrations will enhance skills for liturgical and concert improvisation, helping organists become more versatile and confident.