Teaching New Music

Everything sung by the congregation or the choir was at one time "new" to the singers. Because most people who attend churches are not experienced music readers, assistance in learning music which they are expected to sing will increase their ability to participate and encourage their interest in the church's song. Techniques presented in this course will be useful in teaching both congregations and choirs.

Techniques for teaching new music will be introduced, explained, and demonstrated. Members of the class will have an opportunity to experiment with use of these techniques as they work with their peers and learn from their responses. An important goal of all class activities is to encourage self-confidence in the musician, who may then teach people with grace and enthusiasm.

Each meeting will include analysis of music and discussion of resources which will be useful in explaining the background of music to be taught. Techniques helpful in encouraging people to be comfortable using a wide range of musical styles and musical practices will be discussed and rehearsed (e.g., encouraging congregations who have been singing only traditional hymns and service music to use hymns and songs from other cultures or styles). This includes discussing assumptions about what defines "correct" church music and consider the role of the musician, cantor, or worship chair in strengthening the congregation's music-making.

By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate competence in teaching a hymn, song, or service music in three different teaching models:

• by rote as though to an intergenerational congregation before the service
• to a group of children
• to a group of young people as in youth choir or youth group
• to an intergenerational group attending a church supper

Students should able be able to combine these audiences with one of the techniques for teaching a primary musical challenge found in the new music:

• melodic accuracy
• rhythmic complexities
• cultural understanding
• harmonic development

Course Sessions

Session 1—Introduction – Encountering Resistance to New Music

Session 2—Teaching Skills – Handout “A Method for Introducing New Music”

Session 3—Review and Practice

Session 4—Analyzing Compositions to be Taught

Session 5—The Variety of Music Styles

Session 6—Teaching Service Music

Session 7—Teaching New Music to Children and Young Adults

Session 8—The Various Occasions for Teaching New Music

Session 9—The Role of the Music Consultant in Teaching New Music

Session 10—Review and Discussion of Principles

It is assumed that the person teaching the course using these materials is a music professional with teaching skills. The Leadership Program for Musicians provides training and certification for those who want to organize a local training program using these courses – see their website for more information. LPM Certified Coordinators receive a substantial discount for use of the course materials.

Session Content
Each session provides goals, content material (some designed as handouts), reading assignments and activities and/or practice as appropriate. Sessions are designed to be an hour to an hour and a half in length although the number of students and length of practice time may require adjustments.

Price
These materials are licensed for use on an annual basis. You must renew your license annually to continue using the materials. This also entitles you to all upgrade and improvements made to the materials during the program year. Materials are downloadable from this website - you will be given login information after you complete your order. You may return to the website to download additional copies of this program at any time.

Annual licensing fee: $495 per course
LPM Coordinator with a current certification: $100 per course ($75 in 2008)
LPM Coordinator with lapsed certification: $195

NOTE: to receive the LPM discount you must contact the LPM office to obtain a coupon code that you enter in the shopping cart when you checkout.

For questions or more information contact:

Anna Leppert-Largent
LPM Consultant-Coordinator
P. O. Box 2262
Saginaw, MI 48605

989-791-3025; 989-755-1420 (fax)

lpm-online@sbcglobal.net