If you're an experienced musician who wants to learn more about church
music, an enthusiastic amateur serving as parish musician, a member of
your congregation's worship or music committee, or someone who has
always loved church music, there is an incredible resource just waiting
for you: The Leadership Program for Musicians.
The Leadership
Program for Musicians (LPM) is a nationally recognized two-year
continuing education program designed to increase the musical knowledge
and skills of all those who lead music in the parish. LPM offers
practical courses that give students the tools and resources to help
congregations sing well and participate actively in worship. All classes
include components of lecture, practical application, reflection and
completion of outside assignments, and each course emphasizes
theological, musical and pastoral principles.
Whether you're a
church music director looking for resources, or a member of the clergy
who would like to know more about using liturgical music in worship, LPM
has a class for you. Starting this fall, classes offered this year are
Leadership of Congregational Song, Hymnody of the Christian Church,
Resources for Effective Music Ministry, and Philosophy of Church Music.
Classes are taught in Richmond by local, experienced faculty and take
place one weekend monthly, in September, October, November, January, and
February.
Tuition for a full
year of classes is $600 - a fraction of the cost of taking comparable
classes at any seminary, and scholarship money is available. Registered
students can also attend LPM's spring workshop at no cost.
No matter how long
you've been a musician or been involved in church music, LPM has
something to teach you. For more information, visit lpm-va.org, or contact Nellwyn Beamon at nbeamon@ascension-norfolk.org.
