Workshops

Workshops will be taught by both our headlining songwriters and our distinguished faculty.

Tuesday Workshops:

Elective Workshop #1 Instructors & Topics:

• "Songwriting" with Phil Wickham
• "Vocal Microphone Selection & Applications for Performance on Stage & in the Studio" with Doug Gould - US Market Development Manager: Shure Inc.
• "Writing for Choral/Print" with Greg Nelson, Bruce Cokeroft, and Craig Adams of LifeWay Worship
• Basic guidelines of writing for print music are discussed in this round table discussion facilitated by product development, song publishing, and exclusive writers from LifeWay Worship, located in Nashville, TN.

Elective Workshop #2

• "Songwriting" with Don Moen
• "Vocals for Songwriters: Part 1" with Sheri Gould: Worship leader and Professional Vocal Coach
• Enhance your vocal skills, hone your song delivery, strengthen and increase your range. Learn some tips and tricks for caring for your voice. We'll touch on how to create some harmony for your songs and help you prepare your voice for recording!"
• "The Ethics of the Independent Artist" with Justin McRoberts: Noted independent songwriter and recording artist
• Before tackling the confusing world of "how-to" it is vital that we understand the "why."  This workshop will deal with some of the practical aspects of making a career for oneself, but all the while take a close look at the ethics of being an independent artist.

Elective Workshop #3

• "Discover the LifeWay Worship Project" with Bruce Cokeroft, Craig Adams, and Greg Nelson, LifeWay Worship Staff
• Song Publishing and product development staff from LifeWay Worship present key features, technology, and online worship planning resources
• "Adventures in Songwriting" with Joy Williams, recording artist and writer with Warner-Chappell Music Publishing in Los Angeles
• How can you take your songwriting to the next level? How can you make heads or tails of song publishing? Both having been recording artists that moved into full-time songwriting for Warner-Chappell Music Publishing in LA, Joy Williams and Ben Glover will be diving into the curious journey of crafting a song, discovering the tricks of the trade, and unwrapping the secrets into the song publishing world. Come with questions!
• "Booking Your Calendar as an Independent Artist" with Justin Fox: Noted songwriter and full-time independent touring artist for 15 years.
• After 15 years of over 130 concerts a year, here's my practical side of getting "out there" and connecting with people.

Elective Workshop #4

• "Songwriting" with Derek Webb: INO Recording Artist
• "Using sound toward a songwriting advantage: Ensure expressive songwriting and performance through the four elements of sound" with Reggie Coates, noted independent songwriter/recording artist, and founder of Heartfelt Music
• There are four basic elements of sound found in life.  Exploring each one will enhance your songwriting and give your performance a powerful boost.  This seminar will show you how to take your new songs, as well as existing songs, and make them even more vibrant and effective.
• "What your song publisher should do for you" with Susan Fontaine Godwin, President of the Church Copyright Association
• Basics of Christian Song Publishing & Recording.  Songwriters, indie publishers and artists will learn foundational elements of the Christian music publishing and recording business, featuring standard agreements and contracts, license types and rates, co-publishing benefits, administration, copyright registrations and solid creative business practices.

Wednesday Workshops:

Elective Workshop #5

• "Songwriting" with Paul Baloche
• "Finding a place in the church as an independent performing songwriter" with Justin Fox
• Most of my last 15 years of touring have been in church services – here’s some inspiring thoughts on the importance of your art for the Kingdom, it’s powerful role, and ways to walk it out in the church venue
• "Solving the Problem of Copyright Compliance" with Susan Fontaine Godwin, President of the Church Copyright Association
•  Learn basic elements of the U.S. Copyright Law and how it impacts church worship activities, featuring new technology trends and diversity of copyrights being used by churches to proclaim the gospel. Topics include: 1) spiritual importance of copyright compliance 2) webcasting worship services online 3) what is and is NOT covered by blanket licenses like CCLI, CVLI and WorshipCast License 4) potential copyright infringements 5) how to obtain licenses to legally use copyrights.

Elective Workshop #6

• "Songwriting" with Sara Groves
• "Technology for Songwriters" with Mike Overlin, Worship Leader and Manager of Worship Resources for Yamaha Corp.
• "Vocals for Songwriters: Part 2" with Sheri Gould: Worship leader and Professional Vocal Coach
• Enhance your vocal skills, hone your song delivery, strengthen and increase your range. Learn some tips and tricks for caring for your voice. We'll touch on how to create some harmony for your songs and help you prepare your voice for recording!"

Elective Workshop #7

• "Songwriting" with Bob Kauflin, Director of Worship Development, Sovereign Grace Ministries
• "The Business of Songwriting" with Chris Springer, Artist Development Director for Integrity Music
• "How To Record Your Demo" with Mike Overlin, Manager of Worship Resource for Yamaha & Doug Gould, Development Manager for Shure, Inc.
• "Art & Justice" with Justin McRoberts - noted independent songwriter and artist
•  What does your art have to do with God reconciling the world to Himself (Justice)? What does art have to do with slavery or poverty? This workshop will touch on the role of music in God's Redemptive work.

Elective Workshop #8

• "Discovering Masterwriter: Software to Enhance the Craft of Songwriting" with Barry DeVorzon, legendary songwriter and founder of Masterwriter, as well as Don Moen & Paul Baloche
• Presentation of the use and many advantages that the Masterwriter software program offers all songwriters.  Don Moen & Paul Baloche will also be presenting talking about their use of the Masterwriter program.
• "The Tasty Ingredients for Writing Songs: Enhance creativity through the 8 elements of songwriting", Reggie Coates, noted singer/songwriter and founder of Heartfelt Music
• Understanding the key ingredients to songwriting will open up a new world of flavorful recipes for each songwriter.  This seminar gives you practical ways to take your ideas and inspiration and craft them into a beautiful and expressive song.  We will cover working with music, lyrics, and how to combine them effectively.
• "The Music Biz...Past, Present, and Future?" with Nate Yetton, former A & R Manager for EMI Christian Music Group
• We will tackle the various facets of the music business I've worked in over the last 7 years with various companies including Inpop Records, INO Records and EMI. What you’ll want to know about: Record Labels, Artist Development, A&R (talent scouting and record making - including song development and selection, production, mixing and mastering), Marketing, Radio/TV/Film promotion, and Management. Come with questions! Also – he’ll touch on the current state of the drastically-changing music industry. What will the future look like for songwriters, recording artists, record labels and everyone in-between? Come with your answers, as he’ll have questions for you on this topic.

Keep checking back for updates to workshops to be added in the coming weeks!