Bon Jovi and/or Mendelssohn? - church music conference booking now

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Go to a wedding today, you are likely to hear music from Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and others just as much as the familiar Wagner, Mendelssohn or Widor. It’s the same with funerals. A conference in Canterbury will consider how church musicians are responding to the increasingly diverse needs of those who occasionally come into a church for a family event or a special service. It will be held at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) on Saturday 20th April 2013.

During the conference, entitled Church Music: Sound Ministry? speakers and delegates will consider the ways in which church musicians today respond to a variety of issues, with a particular focus on civic services, weddings, funerals and school services. Contributions will reflect on the increasing use of secular music, the place of traditional symbolism, and the church musician’s response to the multi-cultural community, with an emphasis on current practice and the issues which inform it.

The conference is being organised by Chris Price and Dr Andrew Larner of the Department of Music at CCCU, in collaboration with the RSCM. These two organisations are also partners in delivering the Foundation Degree in Church Music, and this conference will run alongside one of the course’s regular Residential Study Schools, with an opportunity for students to participate in the sessions. Chris said: “For many church musicians, they’re just as likely these days to push a ‘start’ button on a CD machine as well as play an instrument of some kind. That has enormous implications for the complexion and content of services such as funerals and weddings. We’re looking forward to discussing ways in which different churches have reached out to wider communities through their music, and – hopefully – stimulate new ideas through case studies and discussion.”

The keynote speaker at this non-denominational event will be the Revd Canon Peter Moger, currently Precentor of York Minster. In his former role as National Worship Development Officer for the Church of England, he produced liturgical resources for many public and family occasions, and has contributed to musical resources published by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Peter said: ‘There is no doubt that occasional and special services have a crucial part to play in the Church’s mission: they challenge us to make connections through worship with many who normally never set foot inside a church.’

The cost of the conference is £25 (including all sessions, refreshments and buffet lunch), and students may attend without charge. To register, contact Concha Hyde at the Department of Music, Canterbury Christ Church University, on +44 (0)1227 782579 or concha.hyde@canterbury.ac.uk

More information about the conference may be found here: www.rscm.com/education/soundministry.php