2012 Workshops
Workshops are a chance to get practical with your instrument or in your area of interest.
- Choose one workshop from each time slot.
- Places in some workshops are limited, so register early.
- Leaders’ Stream workshops are especially aimed at music leaders and pastors, but they are suitable for everyone.
Workshop 1
Biblical Foundations for Music Ministry (Leaders’ Stream)
Worship songs and church go together so naturally that it is hard to imagine church without songs. But what comes naturally is not necessarily Christian—the gospel of Jesus turns many normal things upside down. So it is critical to see what God’s word says about worship, singing and church. In this workshop we will build Biblical foundations for our music ministry by exploring what the Bible says. It is aimed at Pastors, Music Directors and others keen to delve into the issues.
Song Selection (Leaders’ Stream)
We’ve all experienced the benefit of a really well-chosen or well-placed song at church, as well as the crunch of a badly chosen one. Good song selection is crucial to providing music that edifies God’s people. This workshop looks at selecting songs that appropriately respond to the preaching of the word, as well as exploring how song choice can enhance the concept of a “theological flow” in church meetings.
Rhythm Guitar
Just started playing guitar? Want to know how to play better with the music team? This workshop will look at a few helpful chords and chord timing, different strum patterns and other simple techniques to get you on your way to becoming a better guitarist.
Advanced Guitar
Triads, alternative voicings and rhythmic feels. In this workshop we will touch on what to play when supporting other instruments, such as rhythm guitar and piano. Discover parts that stay in the main harmonic movement of a song but free from playing the same chords as others. Designed for amatuer to advanced skill level.
Drumming 101
Are you new to drumming in church, or would you like to give it a go? In this workshop we’ll cover how to work with the band, playing different beats with suitable variations, and transitions and fills between parts of a song. This workshop is aimed at beginner drummers with little experience or training.
Bass Basics
Have you decided to pick up the bass to help out at church? Or have you been asked to “have a go” on bass? In this workshop we will look at what the right hand should be doing alongside the left; that is, what to play and when to play it. This session is aimed at those who are new to bass or who have only a little knowledge of music and instruments.
Advanced Rhythm (Bass and Drums)
“The only important thing these days is rhythm and melody”. Audio Dynamite had it right; well perhaps mostly. Rhythm certainly is an essential element especially when it comes to helping people to sing together in Church. Come to this workshop if you are a bass player or drummer who wants to develop your rhythmic cooperation.
From Classical to Contemporary Piano
Classical and contemporary music require different skills from pianists. This workshop will teach you the basics of of contemporary piano, whether playing on your own or with a band. It will consider how to play from chords, how to play more rhythmically, and how to fit in with the other instruments in the band. If you’re a classically-trained pianist who finds it difficult to transfer your skills to a contemporary style, this workshop is for you.
Advanced Piano Techniques
For those who are regular on the keys at church, this workshop will look at more advanced techniques of adding variation to your playing as well as how to play well within a band. Techniques include the use of scales, chord voicings, and improvisation to add variety. This workshop is aimed at more experienced piano players who play in bands with at least a couple of other instruments.
Alternative Keyboard
Most of the time our church keyboards are stuck on “Piano”. In this workshop we’ll leave the piano sound behind and look at how to add depth with electric pianos, rock organs and synths. You’ll learn the basics of how to use the effects section of your keyboard, and how two keyboard players can work together in a band.
Vocal Technique
Good vocal technique is essential for getting the most out of your voice. In this workshop we’ll look at the various techniques singers use to make their vocals sound great, and their voices last for a lifetime. If you’re new to singing, or have never had formal singing training, this would be a great workshop for you.
Single Note Instruments
What role does the single note instrument have in a church band? Many of us are trained to play the dots on the page, but what happens when there are no written notes for our instruments? This workshop gives techniques for developing improvisational skills as well as providing resources for where to find parts suitable for your instrument. It is primarily directed at wind and string instruments, but also has some relevance for keyboard players and lead guitarists.
Beginners’ Guide to Sound Mixing
The sound operator is a vital link in a chain connecting musicians, pastors and congregation. What priorities should a sound operator have? What’s an easy way to get your head around the mixing desk? How can you mix musically? This workshop is aimed at people with limited experience or training in mixing who want improve their mixing skills on a system that is already set up.
Advanced Mixing and EQ Techniques
Know your way around the mixer but want to go to the next level of clarity and quality of sound? This workshop will look at some more advanced techniques of mixing and EQ techniques that can add another dimension to the sound. Get ready to try out what you learn in this practical session aimed at people with more ‘sound’ skills.
Workshop 2
Pastoring a Music Team (Leaders’ Stream)
Sometimes the relationship between the pastor and the music team can be vague, tense or awkward. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be! This workshop is aimed at pastors, music directors and band leaders, and will look at how leaders can equip and encourage their musicians to better serve their congregations.
Song Leading (Leaders’ Stream)
A good song leader does much more than just getting the entries right. A timely and discerning comment can be the difference between a congregation singing with conviction or on auto-pilot. This workshop will help you consider the privilege, joy and responsibility of song leading.
Band Workshop — Introductory
A band is a team. And so it needs to work together and not have the members getting in each other’s way. But so often, the band sounds muddy as its members fight for space to play their parts. This workshop will look at a framework to help bands to play together as a band. With some demonstration, and by giving it a go, you’ll leave with a clear idea of who should be doing what. This workshop is aimed at people new to Exalt or have never done a formal band workshop before.
Band Workshop — Advanced
Building on the framework outlined at the last Exalt conference, this workshop will take ensemble playing to the next level. It will look at how to keep working well as a band, as well as ways to arrange songs to enhance congregational singing. Get ready to try our new ideas in this workshop.
Band Workshop — Small Band
Does your music team consist of two or three musicians at any one time? Having just piano and drums or piano and guitar can seem very limiting in comparison to larger music groups. This workshop will consider ways of arranging music for three or fewer instruments. You might be surprised by how much variety is possible, and how some simple things can greatly improve the congregation’s singing. This is aimed at musicians in music teams of 2-4 people.
People’s Choir
Do you long to sing? This workshop will give you an opportunity to become part of a temporary choir and sing with others. The workshop’s aim is to have fun together in a relaxed setting while trying out ideas to do with harmonies, rounds and other choral techniques. No choir experience is necessary—let’s just have fun!
Arranging Music (Writing Parts)
Many churches have special weeks when kids and closet musicians can get involved. But what do you do when the whole concert band turns up for rehearsal? Write parts! This workshop will give practical help for arranging church music for a variety of instruments.
Kids Music
Children. Sunday School. Music. Sounds like a scary mix!’ This workshop will explore how music can engage children in a Sunday School and church context. You face many issues when trying to teach songs to kids: Will they understand it? Will the boys sing? This session is aimed at children’s ministry workers and parents. If you have an instrument, bring it along to play; if you don’t have any musical skill, the workshop will still be great for you.
Vocal Harmonisation
Vocal harmonies have great potential to add depth and colour to a song. This practical workshop gives guidelines about which songs are enhanced by vocal harmonies, how to improvise a harmony and how to pick where in the song it will be most effective.
Elementary EQ Techniques
Are those three or four EQ knobs a mystery to you? In this workshop we’ll untap their potential by seeing how easily sound can be improved with some basic knowledge of EQing. This workshop is for people with some basic sound mixing experience but who want to improve their EQ IQ!
Advanced Sound Q&A
With so many variables in a sound rig, there’s bound to be things you aren’t so confident with. This workshop will give you the chance to ask the tricky questions and to get input from experienced and professional sound engineers. While suitable for all sound technicians, this workshop is mostly suited to those with more experience.
