Church Music Conference

CHURCH MUSIC CONFERENCE
Featuring the Thomson Lectures in Church Music

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"
January 31 and February 1, 2008

Join us on the beautiful campus of Furman University for an intriguing and enlightening two days of learning, sharing ideas, and fellowship with church musicians from across the Southeast. Guest clinicians for the 2008 Church Music Conference are Furman alumnus Hugh Floyd, Director of Choral Activities at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music; Sandra Holland, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Charlotte Children’s Choir; and prize-winning organist Jonathan Moyer, Director of Music at the Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal) in Baltimore, MD. Professor Floyd offers practical demonstrations on conducting style, rehearsal techniques, and effective communication in choral directing. Ms. Holland offers sessions centered on developing good singing habits, as well as artistic and spiritual growth, in children’s choirs.

Thursday evening's concert in Furman’s beautiful Charles E. Daniel Chapel will feature Greenville’s own Chicora Voices - an outstanding ensemble of multiple children’s and youth choirs directed by Alan and Jeannie Reed - as well as the exceptional singing of the Furman Singers and Furman Chamber Choir. Jonathan Moyer will be heard in recital on Furman' spectacular C.B. Fisk Op. 121, performing Olivier Messiaen's La Nativité du Seigneur in honor of the 2008 centennial of the composer's birth.

LEARN MORE: Clinician and Guest Artist Bios

Featured Events

Thursday, January 31
8 pm, Daniel Chapel
Attend the 2008 Conference Concert featuring Chicora Voices, Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir and organist Charles Boyd Tompkins. 
Admission is Free.  Public Invited. Doors open at 7:15 pm.

Friday, February 1
8 pm, Daniel Chapel
Guest organist Jonathan Moyer performs Olivier Messiaen's landmark 1935 suite La Nativité du Seigneur ("The Birth of the Lord") in celebration of the 2008 centennial of Messiaen's birth. Mr. Moyer's performance is sponsored by the Furman University Belcher Organ fund and is part of the annual Hartness Organ Recital Series**.

**NOTE: Conference participants receive one February 1 ticket.  Additional tickets are available at the door or from the music office: $12 adults and $3 students/youth. 

If additional questions, please contact the Furman Music Office.
Local Hotel Information: CLICK HERE for a list of hotels offering Furman event discounts.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

  • 12-1 p.m.  
    Registration (Lobby, Herring Music Pavilion, Daniel Music Building)
  • 1-2 p.m.    
    Session I: “Conducting in a Three-Way Mirror: Improving Personal Skills in Gesture, Score Study, and Rehearsal Techniques” (Hugh Floyd)   Harper Hall
  • 2-3 p.m.    
    Session II:  “Developing Young Singing Voices” (Sandra Holland)  Harper Hall
  • 3-3:15 p.m.  Break
  • 3:15-4:30 p.m. 
    Reading Session I: “Practical Pieces for Sacred Spaces” (Hugh Floyd)  Harper Hall
  • 4:30-5 p.m.   
    Session III: “Paving the Road to Musical Literacy in the Choral Rehearsal” (Sandra Holland)  Harper Hall
  • 5-6 p.m. 
    Demonstration-Rehearsal with Chicora Voices (Sandra Holland)  Harper Hall
  • 6-8 p.m.  Dinner (on your own)
  • 8 p.m. 
    CONFERENCE CONCERT Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel
    Featuring: Chicora Voices, Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir, Charles Boyd Tompkins, organist
    Admission is Free, Public Welcome

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
  • 8:30-9 a.m.  Coffee and Rolls, Rhame Foyer, Daniel Music Building
  • 9-10 a.m.  
    Session IV: “Steps to Artistic Singing” (Sandra Holland) Harper Hall
  • 10-11 a.m.
    Session V: “Does Our Rehearsal Style Reflect Art or Addiction?” (Hugh Floyd) Harper Hall
  • 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
    Session VI: “Olivier Messiaen: A Unique Church Musician”  (Jonathan Moyer)  Sanctuary, Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel
  • 12:30 
    Conference Luncheon, Hartness Pavilion (pre-registered conference participants)
  • 2-3 p.m.  
    Reading Session II: “Sandy’s Favorites” (Sandra Holland)  Harper Hall
  • 3-4 p.m. 
    Session VII: “Using Acting Training for More Effective Communication in Rehearsal” (Hugh Floyd)  Harper Hall
  • 8 p.m.  
    ORGAN RECITAL (Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel) 
    Olivier Messiaen, La Nativité du Seigneur   Jonathan Moyer, organist
    Ticketed event. One ticket included in each conference packet; additional may be purchased at the recital or from the music office.

The Thomson Lectures in Church Music were established by an endowment gift from the Thomson Foundation as a memorial to Waddy Randolph Thomson and Pauline Blackwell Thomson.  These lectures are the featured events at the annual Church Music Conference at Furman University.  Each year distinguished church musicians of national prominence deliver the lectures on subjects related to the study and practice of church music.   RETURN to TOP