Everybody Sings July 31 to August 4

[John Repulski]

Presented by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Co-sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hosted by Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills Michigan

Tuesday, July 31 through Saturday, August 4

This gathering is for church musicians, song leaders, clergy, liturgists, choir members, or anyone who is interested in the music of the church. The focus is on exploring ways for producing effective and creative liturgy and music for 21st century congregations, creating a common ground for combining music and worship styles of all genres, encourage and educate musicians to be dynamic and zealous leaders of congregational song, and spark the imagination to discover new and innovative ways to stir the hearts and minds of our communities of faith through enthusiastic music making and authentic worship.

Taking place at Christ Church Cranbrook, part of the prestigious Cranbook Educational Community, this five-day conference offers numerous workshops, daily worship in a variety of styles, and opportunities for small group discussions and informal dialogue. More than a series of informative workshops, this is an opportunity to exchange ideas, express insights, and share your best resources with other church musicians and liturgists.

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music presents this gathering as a tool to gather information about the musical needs and liturgical trends of Episcopal congregations of all sizes, but with particular interest in small congregations. The goal of this gathering is to provide a dynamic environment for learning, listening, praying, thinking, and conversing. But mostly, this is all about creating a space for SINGING together.
Anyone interested in being a part of this exciting event is invited to attend. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. At the end of the week, each participant will leave with a large resource notebook containing all the handouts and musical examples used during the week. All genres of music will be explored, including traditional Anglican church music, world music, and newly emerging styles. Particular focus will be on congregational song and every session will include a generous amount of singing.

Equally valuable to lay and clergy, this gathering will provide appropriate credits to those requiring continuing education units (one credit per day, maximum of four).

ACCOMODATIONS

A catered lunch and dinner is provided each day at Christ Church. Lodging is available for a special rate of $84 per night at the Radisson Hotel on Woodward Ave in Bloomfield Hills, one mile away from the church. Free on-demand shuttle service is provided to and from Cranbrook and the downtown Birmingham shopping area. Complementary continental breakfast is available at the hotel each morning. Participants should contact the Raddision hotel directly to make reservations and ask for the “Cranbrook Consultation” rate, which is available on hotel stays several days before and after the gathering.  Hotel number: 1 [phone].  Website:  http://www.radisson.com/bloomfield-hills-hotel-mi-48304/mibloomf

REGISTRATION and FEES

To register for Everybody Sings! contact Christopher Reynolds, registrar [e-mail] or call 248-644-5210 ext 17. The fee is $300.00 for the entire gathering from Tuesday through Saturday. Daily rates are available at $75 per day. Payment can made either by check and mailed, or electronically through the Christ Church Cranbrook’s website:www.christchurchcranbrook.org.

PRINCIPAL LEADERS

We are thrilled to present the following A-list of musicians and clergy who will come together and form creative, dynamic, and highly engaging team to instruct and inspire everyone gathered at the 2012 Cranbrook Consultation — “Everybody Sings!”:

Dent Davidson, Bishop’s Associate for Liturgy and the Arts in the Diocese of Chicago.

Isaac Everett,  Minister for Liturgical Arts at The Crossing, an emergent church in Boston, and the author of The Emergent Psalter, a musical translation and commentary on the book of Psalms

Lisa Gray, Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, and life-long vocal musician

Gary Hall, Rector of Christ Church Cranbrook, former Dean and President of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and Professor of Anglican Studies

James Hamilton, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan and co-creator of Lex Orandi, an ancient/future emerging worshipping community in Southeast Michigan

Julia Huttar-Bailey, Priest-in-charge at St. Michael and All Angels in Lincoln Park, MI, former SCLM member, and a longtime church musician At St. Clare’s Episcopal Congregation in Ann Arbor, MI

Ruth Meyers, Academic Dean at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics, and SCLM chair

Sandra Montes, Director of Music and Worship Leader at Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo in Houston, TX and SCLM member.

Jeannine Otis, Director of Music at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery in New York City, and SCLM member

John Repulski, Director of Music at Christ Church Cranbrook, SCLM Member, Coordinator for “Everybody Sings 2012″

William Bradley Roberts, Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel Music at Virginia Theological Seminary

Beth Taylor, Associate Priest at Christ Church Cranbrook, occasional cabaret performer and bluegrass singer

SCHEDULE

The gathering begins on Tuesday afternoon with registration and social time at Christ Church Cranbrook. Each day will include workshop style sessions on various topics related to congregational song, including experiencing new music, discussions on how to inspire better church musicians and congregational singing, hands-on sessions on teaching new music to congregations, and presentations on innovative ideas on liturgy.  Each evening will have a different worship service (Eucharist, Evening Prayer, Compline) employing new and creative examples of music and liturgy.  Also, each evening will have a discussion/consultation session where everyone present shares their ideas and expresses their thoughts on related topics in guided small group discussions and plenary round table talk-backs. The results of these evening session will be related back to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to help formulate future projects and resources that will be widely available and serve the entire Episcopal Church. The gathering ends on Saturday afternoon with a closing 5 P.M. Eucharist. Those who will be around on Saturday evening are invited to attend the finals of “Episcopal Idol”, a fun and cheeky talent competition promoting good hymn singing and awareness of the great hymnals of the Episcopal Church.

For more information, contact John Repulski at [e-mail] or visit www.everybodysings.org