Praise And Harmony Weekend FAQ
How important is it for the hosting church to learn the songs before the Praise And Harmony Weekend?
Perhaps the most important contributing factor to the success of the Praise & Harmony Weekends is the preparation required to learn the assigned songs and introduce non-musicians on how to sing in harmony. The target for the weekly singing classes should not be limited to those who already love singing, but should involve the entire church.
Why is it important to sit in sections during the singing class?
To create an atmosphere which makes it easier for people to hear the harmony parts, have the entire class sit in sections by voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Hearing and learning the part is made easier by sitting close to others singing the same part. It's important to make the process fun, realizing that this can be intimidating to beginners. Be inclusive of all ages and make it a fun experience.
Does the person who leads the weekly singing class need to have a music degree?
No. The class can be facilitated by non-musicians if they use this simple process:
1. Have every one sit in sections.
2. Have the higher voice parts on the left side of the room and the lower voices on the right.
3. Play the Vocalist Training Disk in a stereo music player with the speakers widely separated (L and R).
4. Play the song all the way through with no one singing along to encourage everyone to listen.
5. Project the music notation slides on a screen or provide sheet music to assist with learning.
6. Understanding that repetition is the key to learning, play through the song many times.
7. At this point, it is helpful to identify one skilled singer from each part who already correctly knows how to sing the part. Ask them to sing louder so everyone can listen to the training disk playing along with the individual, underscoring how each individual part goes.
8. After hearing the song several times without singing along and actively listening, encourage everyone to sing along softly while listening intently to the training disk and the designated singer. Don't get bogged down in sectional rehearsals and remember to keep it fun. Don't rush the process and keep repeating the song.
9. After you have taken all these steps (using plenty of repetition, silent listening, designated singers, softly singing along and gradually increasing volume with each round), finally, sing the song without the use of the training disk. If you have taken your time through these steps, you may be amazed by the results.
How does the Ear Training Disk work?
There is only one voice on the disk per part. One tenor, one soprano, one alto and one bass. The training disk makes use of the stereo spectrum by panning each voice exclusively to one side or the other. For example, to learn the tenor part, listen to only the left speaker (or headphone) to easily isolate the tenor part, making it easier to learn. Focus on the one part and use repetition to master the part through emulation. If listening on an iPod or portable device, remove the ear bud that does not feature the part you want to learn.
Who can answer our questions about preparing for the Praise And Harmony Weekend?
Jake@Acappella.com is ready to assist you in scheduling, preparing for and promoting your Praise & Harmony Weekend
How have churches successfully promoted their Praise And Harmony Weekend?
There are many ways to promote your workshop to maximize attendance the impact of the training. If you'd like to communicate with someone who has recently marketed a P&H Weekend at his church, you are welcome to contact Cori Lewis for ideas.
What are others saying?
"I cannot encourage you enough to participate in one of these singing workshops or better yet, to host one. It will change your congregation and its attitude toward worship." - Rex Dillinger – Noblesville, IN
“I have never experienced a worship service like that in my entire life! To say it was uplifting, encouraging, energizing, humbling, and a mountain top experience all at the same time . . . well, mere words just aren’t enough.” -Vicki Lee – Rogers, AR