TRACK DESCRIPTIONS
Each day during the week of MMA students will participate in a master class led by a master teacher. In these classes you will deepening your musical skills, especially as it applies to your ministry as a liturgical music leader. Below are the available tracks and basic descriptions. Please read through this information carefully, as you prepare to apply to MMA.
VOCAL/CANTOR TRACK
The goal of this track is for singers to deepen not only their vocal skills, but also, to address the qualities of the ministry of the cantor. Vocal technique will be addressed, as well as leadership tips and sensitivities needed to lead a liturgical assembly toward good and full participation. Participants in this track will be asked to prepare two contrasting liturgical selections to bring to MMA, and to sing before the group.
PIANO / ORGAN / KEYBOARD TRACK
This track is for pianists and organists alike, designed to address the many important skills necessary for liturgical keyboardists: accompanying techniques, how to play in different styles, transposition, playing in an ensemble, and how to use the instrument to link the liturgical rites together. A key aspect of this track is to develop improvisation skills. Exploration of synthesizer/midi will also be included.
GUITAR TRACK
For acoustic and electric guitarists, and bass players as well. In this track participants will explore different strumming and picking patterns, chord development, how to play with other guitarists and instrumentalists, improvisation, and how the guitar functions as a liturgical instrument.
PERCUSSION TRACK
This track is for drum set players, as well as those who play auxiliary percussion Instruments (congas, hand percussion, etc.). Participants will explore various styles that the competent drummer and percussionist should have at their finger tips, and how the percussionist and percussion ensemble operates as a ritual unit and leader.
FLUTE, WOODWIND, BRASS & STRING TRACKS
Tracks are also offered for those who play wind and string instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, french horn, trombone, violin, viola, cello, etc.). These tracks will address specific instrumental technique, improvisation, and how these instruments are utilized both as solo instruments and ensemble groupings in the context of the liturgy.
COMPOSER TRACK
This track is limited to eight (8) participants, and will address the principles and techniques in composing music for the liturgy, different types and musical forms, text writing, adapting and arranging, preparing scores, and the liturgical, musical, and pastoral guidelines needed to write music for the Church. Participants will have opportunities for their own compositions to be evaluated. To apply and be considered for this track, applicants must include two (2) liturgical compositions, scored out completely with music and text, with as full as an arrangement as possible. Applicants should have a good understanding of basic music theory.
LITURGICAL LEADERSHIP TRACK
This track is limited to fifteen (15) students, and those applying for this track must have previously attended MMA. The Liturgical Leadership Track is for young people who are interested in or considering liturgical music leadership and/or ministry as a life vocation. This track will address and develop the many skills and sensitivities needed to be a leader in liturgical and music ministry: liturgical planning, designing and evaluating parish celebrations, art and environment, working in collaboration with parish ministers, planning and preparing for seasons and special celebrations. Accepted students are allowed participation in this track once. When competing the essay form under question number three (3), please share your leadership experience both past and current, and why you would like to be considered for this track. All accepted participants in the Liturgical Leadership Track are required to arrive for orientation sessions a day earlier, this year on Monday, July 26, 2010. Housing and meals are at no extra cost for this earlier arrival. Additionally, students accepted into this track will have special liturgical leadership responsibilities throughout the week.
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