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Engaging a Wide Range | Martha Johnson and Levi Nagel

Martha Johnson and Levi Nagel

Engaging a Wide Range of Instrumentalists and Vocalists

In an earlier era of WELS worship culture, it was often only festival services (and the occasional obbligato instrument with a choir selection) that merited inclusion of instruments beyond the organ. Now some churches regularly involve a wide variety of instruments beyond organ and piano. Regular use of singers beyond a choir (of adults or children) is also common. This session covers a wide range of related topics: recruitment and organization, selecting and arranging music for beginning instrumentalists, nurturing the less skilled rather than relying on the A-team, the same music in each service but with different singers/players, intergenerational ensembles, young musicians in school chapel, and more.

Bio | Martha Johnson

Martha is a 2004 graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., where she received a degree in education with an emphasis in music. She served at Nebraska Lutheran High School in Waco, Neb., as the choir and band director for 11 years and later as the minister of music at Bethlehem in Menomonee Falls, Wis. Currently Martha teaches 5th grade and upper grade music at Peace Lutheran School, Hartford, Wis. She also sings with The Lutheran Ceili Orchestra, Canticum Novum, and the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee.

Bio | Levi Nagel

Levi NagelLevi is a full-time staff minister serving in the area of worship for the past 19 years. From 2005–2016 he served at Grace, Falls Church, Va. He currently serves as the minister of music and worship at St. John’s, Milwaukee (Forest Home Ave.). He holds a BA in music from Wisconsin Lutheran College and a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin. While living in the Washington, D.C., area, Levi sang professionally with several choirs, including the Washington Chorus and the Washington Master Chorale, for the latter of which he was the principal chair for his section. Levi has also been the artistic director of the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee since 2018. During the hymnal project, he served on the music subcommittee of the hymns committee, and in 2022, he served as one of the clinicians for the East Regional Choral Festival.

Let’s Hear It for the Boys | Lisa Uttech

Lisa Uttech

Let’s Hear It for the Boys: Engaging and Empowering Adolescent Male Singers

Participants will learn or strengthen strategies for developing confident singers who employ beautiful tone, contributing to worship in a way that is impactful for all. Practical tips will be given for warm-ups, voice testing, and choosing repertoire for changing voices, with a particular emphasis on engaging and empowering adolescent males. Discussions will also include the benefit to an area Lutheran high school when children have a strong singing foundation in the Lutheran elementary school.

 

 

Bio | Lisa Uttech

Lisa is a fine arts music instructor and the choral director at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, where she directs the freshman choir, a cappella choir, and Wisco Kids show choir. Previously, she taught and/or served as director of music at several WELS schools and churches as well as Pewaukee High School (Wis.), also maintaining a private voice studio.

Professional Growth for Musicians | Daniel Hubert and Dale Witte

Daniel Hubert and Dale Witte

Professional Growth for Church and School Musicians

Many formal options are available to help musicians boost their skills: ALCM, ACDA, AGO, Master of Church Music, Kodaly certification, LIME, Orff, Kodaly, Feierabend First Steps, World Music Drumming, Wisconsin CMP program, and workshops by nationally recognized speakers. But many informal options also exist, such as just a handful of private lessons or coaching sessions to sharpen conducting, keyboard, or vocal skills. This session will discuss the pros and cons of various approaches as well as how to pay for them.

Bio | Daniel Hubert

Prof. Hubert is the director of instrumental music at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In addition to directing the concert band, he teaches courses in music theory, conducting, education, and arranging, and conducts the college’s jazz band and Contemporary & Gospel Ensemble. Previously he served in various music education settings from beginning band to middle school music to high school ensembles. Hubert holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Ill., and is a founding member of the Lutheran Institute for Music Education.

Bio | Dale Witte

Dale WitteDale currently serves as fine arts department chairman, choir director, and music educator at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, Wis. He is one of the founding members of LIME, Lutheran Institute for Music Education, which seeks to aid WELS teachers and schools in strengthening their music education programs. From 2014–2021 he served on the WELS Psalm Committee, which researched, reviewed, and edited over 5,000 psalm settings to produce Christian Worship: Psalter (NPH 2021). Dale holds a Master in Church Music degree from Concordia University Chicago (1997); is a member of WCDA, ACDA, NAfME, ALCM, and WMEA professional organizations; and is an active church music composer.

Embracing . . . Conducting | Jonathan Laabs

Jonathan Laabs

Embracing the Imposter: An Interactive Conducting Workshop

Session 1: Understanding Your Role: Discussion and Conducting Basics

Many of us are asked to lead musical ensembles in our various congregation or educational settings, often taking on the role of conductor. However, the vulnerability of this position can evoke a sense of self-consciousness, inadequacy, and “imposter syndrome.” This first part of a two-part session seeks to build knowledge and confidence for conductors of all abilities through an interactive discussion, demonstration, and review of the basics of conducting skills and philosophy.

 

Session 2: Embracing Your Role: Conducting Masterclass

In part two of this session, participants will have the opportunity to experience firsthand a demonstration of ideas and concepts previously discussed as selected conductors work with the session attendees in leading various choral anthems. Prof. Laabs will coach, mediate, and answer questions from both the participating conductors and attendees.

When registering, sign up for both sessions on Thursday afternoon.

Bio | Jonathan Laabs

Prof. Laabs currently serves as professor of music and music division chairman at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., where he conducts the College Chorale and Women’s Choir and teaches courses in conducting, choral repertoire, and aural theory. In addition, he is currently the artistic director and conductor of Canticum Novum. Prof. Laabs has worked with ensembles of all levels, including elementary, parish, high school, collegiate, and professional.

Teaching Kids to Sing | Kate Tiefel

Kate Tiefel

Teaching Kids to Sing

The Lutheran church is called the singing church, and we all share the responsibility to teach the next generation to sing the praises of the Lord. Whether you are a classroom teacher, Sunday school volunteer, parent, or grandparent, this session will equip you with joyful, play-based activities that teach the children in your life to sing beautifully. We’ll explore puppets and props, songs, games, and children’s books that help kids sing in tune. We’ll also review research about how children’s voices grow and develop so that you feel equipped to pick the right music for children at each age and stage of vocal development.

Bio | Kate Tiefel

Kate Tiefel, director of music at Emanuel, New London, Wis., holds a BS in music education and an MM in choral conducting from Michigan State University. She has 20 years of experience teaching music and is a founding member of the Lutheran Institute for Music Education.

Hymnology | Kevin Bode, David Porth, and Kate Tiefel

Kevin Bode David Porth Kate Tiefel

No Time for Hymnology?

Among worship conference attendees, a strong majority would likely endorse the idea that every WELS elementary school should be teaching hymnology. And yet only about 25% of our schools are using any part of the Hymns for Life hymnology curriculum, and many seem unaware that it exists even after four years of availability. The mission of the Lutheran elementary school is embedded in the mission of the church, which includes inculcating a deep love for hymns. This session explores 1) the high value of teaching hymns in the elementary years, 2) reasons why some schools aren’t teaching hymnology, 3) how to approach the topic with fellow faculty and the school board, and 4) how some schools have successfully begun using the curriculum when there was nothing before. Attention is also given to a related theme—Creative Ideas Create Beloved Hymns. Running side by side with hymnology is the incredibly important performance aspect—involving students in opportunities to perform hymn melodies.

Bio | Kevin Bode

Kevin BodeKevin serves Emanuel, Tempe, Ariz., in a 50/50 position with both teaching and music roles. He is blessed to direct/work with instructors for group and private guitar lessons, chimes, a band program and private instrumental instruction, ukulele, male and female and chamber choirs at high points in the church year, junior/adult choir, and ensembles for all the musical instrument families. The Lord is using these individuals to touch hearts with the gospel, and to show that the songs kids learn in school can run with and even outrun many new and popular Christian songs currently in vogue.

Bio | David Porth

David PorthSince 2014, David has served Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, Menomonee Falls, Wis., as grades 7-8 teacher and worship coordinator. These duties include worship planning, serving as head organist, directing the adult choir, and including a wide variety of instrumentalists. He holds a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin. He also serves as the district worship coordinator for the Southeastern Wisconsin District, was a curriculum writer for the synod’s hymnology curriculum, is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM), and is an associate organist and member of the Fine Arts Committee at St. Marcus, Milwaukee.

Bio | Kate Tiefel

Kate TiefelKate Tiefel, director of music at Emanuel, New London, Wis., holds a BS in music education and an MM in choral conducting from Michigan State University. She has 20 years of experience teaching music and is a founding member of the Lutheran Institute for Music Education.