Musicademy - Working with Churches

Bring the Musicademy Team to your church for a focussed day of practical worship training

Musicademy has been training worship musicians since 2003 through local weekly training courses, one off seminars and via their Worship DVD series in guitar and vocals (keyboards is also on the way). During the summer of 2006 Musicademy helped devise and teach at a number of events across the US for EMI’s Worship Together at festivals hosting up to 60,000 people.

In the UK we are able to provide locally based training for church worship teams, normally within the context of a one day worship training event. The content of the seminars is tailored to the needs of the individual church/musicians. Often a host church chooses to welcome musicians from other local churches to the event. The host church agrees to underwrite the cost of the event and may charge an entrance fee to delegates.

Musicademy’s approach is centred on practical training. There are a number of other worship leaders and musicians who provide days such as these but many, in our experience, focus on the theology of worship rather than equipping musicians with practical worship skills. Our approach is firstly as educators with a proven track record of worship-related training and it is our aim that each delegate leaves with considerable new learning as well as being inspired and refreshed as a musician.

As such we offer a number of seminar options. These include:

Plenary worship led by our band
Band skills workshop explaining the role of each instrument, arrangements, rehearsing and other aspects flagged in advance/on the day as relevant for the delegates
Practical bandskills “consultancy”– working with your worship team on ways to practically improve your playing together as a band incorporating musicianship, dynamics, creativity in worship, teamwork, effective rehearsals, sound checks, how to build arrangements, musical communication skills, developing timing and rhythm, inclusion of single melody instruments, ear training and more.
Worship Leading workshop– led by our worship leader and aimed at those leading worship in a small group or church setting
Vocals – normally two seminars. The first teaches the basics of breathing and other foundations for effective singing as well as warm up and vocalisation exercises. The second works with the singers in the deconstruction of a well known song into contemporary styles and harmony parts. The discipline in this seminar results in an amazing before and after contrast in the performance of the song and is highly applicable to other pieces after the event.
Guitar – a range of seminar options depending on the needs and abilities of delegates. A seminar for first time players is possible although we normally find that delegates are already practising guitarists. We therefore flex the seminar content to their needs and can teach lessons based around alternative tunings, strumming patterns, hymn playing, lead guitar playing or outworking particular songs.
Keyboard – two alternative seminars. The first is for classically trained players (of say grade 4 upwards) who would like to learn contemporary playing styles based around chords and getting away from a reliance on sheet music. The second option is for existing worship band players and will focus on developing their techniques beyond their existing comfort zone.
Single Melody Instruments – a highly effective seminar again getting musicians away from their reliance on sheet music. This seminar teaches the concept of playing “in the gaps” rather than along with the melody line. It will equip delegates with the necessary knowledge and skills to create improvised fills and will increase their confidence as a contemporary player. Suitable for cello, flute, sax, violin, brass etc
Bass and Drums – a combined seminar looking at the role of these two instruments and offering practical teaching to extend the skills and knowledge mix of the delegates
PA Training - getting the best sound form your PA system
Theological Input – Setting worship in a Biblical context through a spoken seminar led by a professional theologian.
Evening Celebration – Rounding off the day with an evening of worship and a preach followed by ministry from our team. Ideal for inviting non musician members of the church too. However, our preference is to have a longer day of seminars as these are considerably more beneficial and practical for your musicians

Sample Worship Training Day

9.45 Arrive, coffee
10.00 Intros, explanation of structure of day
10.10 Worship session incorporating Band Skills Seminar
Q&A
11.45 Coffee
12.00 Vocals training – Gayle Bamberger - plenary seminar
Alternative seminar for melody instruments – Tim Martin
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Worship
Worship leader training - Andrew Sercombe
2.50 Coffee
3.10 Workshop options (instrument workshops for people who play already)

Further vocals training – Gayle Bamberger
Guitar workshop – Andy Chamberlain
Bass / Drum workshop - Bill Pamplin, Paul Baker
Keyboard workshop – Tim Martin

4.15 Either another set of workshop options finishing at around 5.30/6.00 or an early finish at 4.30 followed by evening celebration

Lower cost Bespoke Option

A half or full days’ training can be provided by just one, two or three of our team, typically Gayle Bamberger (teaching vocals), Andy Chamberlain (teaching guitar and band skills) and Tim Martin (teaching keyboards, bandskills and single melody instruments). All can additionally lead a workshop on worship leading.

Locations

Whilst the majority of our training events take place in the UK, we are planning some North American events in the future. If you are interested in being a host church please let us know.

For further information and prices please contact us on 01923 282878.

The Musicademy Team

Andy Chamberlain – lead guitar, Musicademy Director
Andrew Sercombe – worship leader, speaker
Gayle Bamberger – vocals
Tim Martin – keys and single melody instruments
Bill Pamplin – bass
Paul Evans – drums
Marie Page –event facilitator, Musicademy Director music academy musicacademy

Testimonials

“Thankyou again for the excellent training day, I have heard nothing but positive comments from our worship team members.

It was great to spend the day with people who are so obviously committed to enabling people to improve in their skills and to move on in terms of worship. You were all approachable and friendly but still professional in your approach too. We felt encouraged that we have got good resources, but there is always room for improvement.

Thanks again and may God bless your ministry through Musicademy”

Sue Newland, Worship Coordinator, Redhill Baptist Church