The Dean and Chapter of Lisburn Cathedral invite anyone interested in learning more about Contemporary Christian Music to a Sunday afternoon training session and evening Praise Service on September 17.

The facilitators of the training will be the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Mr Stephen McLoughlin, and the leader of the Lisburn Community Choir and Children’s Choir, Mrs Julie Harper.

Stephen will train musicians on how to approach new contemporary songs and on the coordination of music groups. Julie will train the singers (sopranos and altos) and Mark Tilley (co-leader of the Lisburn Community Choir) will train the tenors and basses.

Julie will also cover vocal training exercises, posture and communication. Each church group should hopefully feel better equipped to go back to the parish with the confidence to use much more varied musical material. 

The Dean of Connor, the Very Rev Sam Wright, said: “Our hope is for this to be a very exciting, fun and effective way to enjoy and learn the brilliant new songs that are widely used in churches across the UK and Ireland.

“All those interested in contemporary Christian music from Praise Groups, Musicians, Choirs, Musical Directors and Clergy would be most welcome at the ‘Connor Big Sing.’ 

The afternoon session will teach contemporary songs, and some of these will be included in the evening Praise Service. In addition to the training, a pack of materials will be provided featuring band and vocal arrangements for the worship songs.

The Evening Praise Service at 6.30pm will be open to everyone. (It may be that some churches suggest to their parishioners attending ‘Connor Big Sing’ instead of holding their usual evening service on that Sunday). 

Dean Wright added: “The most recent installation services for the Dean and Canons in Lisburn Cathedral included a number of contemporary worship songs these songs received favourable comments from members of the congregations present – it is as a result of this feedback that the Chapter members felt that we could contribute to the worshipping life of the diocese by providing this training day in contemporary Christian music followed by an Evening Praise Service.”

Download a timetable and booking form. This should be completed and returned by August 31.