Edmonton event will focus on worship and music

by James Morgan

Although Edmonton didn’t really exist in the days of J.S. Bach, that doesn’t mean the city is prevented from having a role in the development of church music. On Monday, August 29, the School of Music at Concordia University College of Alberta (CUCA) in Edmonton will host a Worship and Music Symposium. According to Choral Professor Dr. Joy Berg, the goal of the symposium is designed to aid the growth and development of church music in northern Alberta, something she says varies in strength from one congregation to the next. CUCA chaplain, Rev. Garry Dombrosky says the symposium “could someday make CUCA a focal point for church music in Western Canada.” 

Presenters include Rev. Lorne Manweiler and Andrew Donaldson

Seven experts in church music are presenting at the symposium. Among them is Lutheran Church–Canada pastor and organ instructor, Rev. Lorne Manweiler, and Canadian musician and composer Andrew Donaldson, currently living and working in Geneva, Switzerland. All presenters bring a diverse perspective and talent from many denominations within the Christian church.

The material each workshop will cover includes the use of projection screens, liturgical language in words and gesture, handbells in worship, words we use in worship, and ‘Arts vs. Entertainment’. As a special feature, the day-long event concludes with a hymn festival designed by Andrew Donaldson titled “Behold I Tell You a Mystery.” 

The symposium offers a bonus for church choir directors. Choral music expert Dr. Larry Nickel, an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre, will present a sacred choral music reading session the next day, Tuesday, August 30, for an additional cost of $20. Participants do not have to attend the symposium to be part of this session, but Dr. Berg suggests “it will make a more complete package if you come to both.” A bookstore featuring music and worship materials will also be open during the day of the symposium.

This is the second such symposium hosted by the Concordia School of Music. The first was held in 2008.

The cost to register for the August 29 symposium is $75. For more information and to register, go to http://worshipandmusicsymposium.weebly.com/index.html or call the Concordia School of Music in Edmonton at 780-479-9368.

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