One of the aims of the Assembly of Liturgical Musicians is to provide workshops in music and liturgical principles, for practical application to our ministry. Workshops are held at various locations, for member familiarisation with the parishes in the archdiocese. Average attendance at our workshops has been around 40 people, and we hope to keep this number growing! This page describes the workshops which have been hosted by the ALM in the past.

Saturday, 24th April, 2004 from 9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Wesley Warren, Choir Master and Organist at St. Barnabas Church
Presentation covering common needs for choirs and choir directors. Topics discussed: Planning a choir rehearsal, warm-up exercises, hymn learning techniques, common diction problems.

Saturday, 3rd & 10th May, 2003 from 9:30 am - 12:00 noon
St. Basil's Church, 490 Rex Avenue
Presented by Tom Fagan, Archdiocese of Ottawa Liturgical Commission
Presentation and facilitated discussion on running parish music programmes. Topics discussed: Starting, motivating and maintaining a choir/musician's group; Planning for the three-year liturgical cycle; Practical issues, best practices, budget, dealing with feedback, managing change; Leadership issues, working with Liturgy Committees, pastors, colleagues, the Christian Community; Interpreting and implementing the newly-revised Diocesan Liturgical Guidelines.

Saturday, 8th, 22nd & 29th March, 2003 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Jackie Baumberg, Choir Director, Holy Cross Parish
Starting from elementary concepts of how we produce sound, basic topics of music theory were introduced and practised in this series of three workshops. In the first, concepts of beat, rhythm and time value were introduced, practised and written. In the second, concepts of pitch were explained, together with written music on the staff, treble and bass clefs, ledger lines, accidentals, key signatures, major and minor scales and intervals. In the third workshop, all these elements were brought together and practised with musical examples, including the sight reading of known and new hymns. At the request of those who attended, steps are being taken to set up more sessions to provide further practice in the musical concepts which were taught.

Saturday, 8th, 22nd & 29th March, 2003 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Sr. Donna Kelly, Director of Liturgy, CCCB
Addressing both beginner and experienced organists, the intricacies of registration, articulation, and phrasing were explored. What is the difference between a flute and a diapason? How do you cope with organ music when one voice has to breathe and the other one holds through? Pedal techniques were also demonstrated, as well as hymn accompaniment techniques with both hands and both feet. A follow-up to this workshop series is tentatively scheduled for the Fall of 2003.

Saturday, 9th & 16th November, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Notre Dame Cathedral, Rehearsal Room, 58 Guigues Ave.
Presented by Michel Guimont, Director of Music at Notre-Dame Cathedral
The musical aspects of imparting psalms were presented in this workshop: the use of psalms throughout the Sunday liturgy; appropriate vocal and instrumental delivery of psalms; the selection and use of psalm tones for cantors, accompanists, and choirs; variations in accompaniments; the use of seasonal psalms; psalms for the Liturgy of the Hours; psalms for Evening Prayer. Participants also practised canting pslams in a master-class format.

Saturday, 2nd November, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Notre Dame Cathedral, Rehearsal Room, 58 Guigues Ave.
Presented by Fr. Andrea Spatafora, Professor of Biblical Studies, St. Paul University
Psalms were presented in their historical and religious contexts. The different kinds of psalms were discussed and identified in the Psalter. The formation and structure of the Psalter was described. The use of psalms in liturgy and the concept of Christological reading of the psalms was discussed. An appreciation for the spiritual and emotional content of the psalms was emphasized throughout the presentation.

Saturday, 4th May, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
St. Basil's Parish, 490 Rex Ave.
Presented by Michel Guimont, Director of Music at Notre-Dame Cathedral
Adult choir conducting approach and techniques were covered: techniques to reinforce posture and proper breathing among the choir members; use of hands and arms while beating time; use of facial expressions in conducting; how to start a hymn. Participants practised conducting exercises within the group in a master-class format.

Saturday, 4th May, 2002 from 10:00 - 12:00 am
St. Basil's Parish, 490 Rex Ave.
Presented by MaryAnn Dunn, Director of OCCSB Children's Choir
Major aspects of working with children's choirs were discussed: purpose of a children's choir; how to start a choir; how to plan a rehearsal; expectations of children. During the second half of the workshop, members of the OCCSB Children's Choir provided a demonstration of a rehearsal, including warm-ups, rounds, teaching a new song, working on a song already learned.

Download handout  from workshop in   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Saturday, 20th April, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Saint-François d'Assise Parish, 20 Fairmont Ave.
Presented by Gilles Leclerc, Organist at St. Françoise d'Assise Parish
Organ accompaniment and exercises for accompaniment techniques were presented. Organ adaptations of piano accompaniments were demonstrated. Hymns and psalms for the Easter season as suggested by the participants formed the basis for discussion.

Saturday, 26th January, 2002 from 10:00 - 12:00 am
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Wesley Warren, Director of Music, St. Barnabas
Back by popular request, a follow-up to Wesley's previous ALM workshop on basic singing techniques. The workshop began with a series of physical stretching exercises which relax tension and open up resonant cavities in the body for singing. Proper standing and sitting postures for singing were discussed and practised. A great variety of breathing exercises and vocal warm-up exercises were also presented.

Saturday, 26th January, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Gilles Leclerc, Organist at St. Françoise d'Assise Parish
An introduction to basic organ skills. The various parts of the organ were explained, followed by the identification of the pipes and their groupings. Standard specifications for a two-manual organ (pipe or electronic) were covered. Typical registrations for liturgical use were explained and demonstrated. Accompaniment skills and techniques to better lead the assembly in song were discussed with the group.

Saturday, 26th January, 2002 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Liz Spencer and Jackie Baumberg, Holy Cross Parish
Starting from the very basics of how sounds are created, the concepts of pitch, rhythm, and dynamics were introduced. The main elements of written music were explained, including the staff, ledger lines, the treble and bass clefs, time signatures, and the names and durations of notes. Major rhythmic concepts were also covered, including beats, rhythm and tempo. Finally, dynamics and expression were outlined, for an understanding of the range from pianissimo to fortissimo, and adagio to presto. All of these concepts were then translated to the guitar fret board and the piano keyboard for practical use.

Monday, 5th November, 2001 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm
St. Brigid's Parish, 179 Murray St.
Presented by Tom Fagan, Diocesan Liturgy Commission
The meaning of the Advent season was discussed and a wide selection of corresponding hymns were presented. Evening Prayer and Advent hymns were sung by St. Brigid's choir as well as by workshop participants. The choir demonstrated different styles of song, from complex melodies and harmonies to simple yet meaningful tunes.

Download handout  from workshop in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Saturday, 8th September, 2001 from 9:30-12:00 noon
St. Basil's Parish, 490 Rex Ave.
Presented by Wesley Warren, Director of Music at St. Barnabas
An introduction to basic singing techniques. Topics included breathing, breath control, posture, and resonance. Many practical vocal and physical exercises were presented to strengthen these aspects of singing. Hymns suggested by the workshop attendees were examined with particular emphasis on tempo and diphthongs. The personal connection of the choir/cantor with the assembly while ministering was also stressed.

Saturday, 8th September, 2001 from 1:00-3:00 pm
St. Basil's Parish, 490 Rex Ave.
Presented by Heather Reid, Diocesan Liturgy Commission
The important distinction between catechetical and liturgical music for children was explained at this workshop. Basic principles were suggested for choosing music for Sundays which children will sing. A selection of children's music resources were also presented.

Download handout  from workshop in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.  

Tuesday, 29th May, 2001 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm
St. Basil's Parish, 490 Rex Ave.
Presented by Heather Reid
The role of the music ministry in celebrating the Paschal Mystery was characterized in terms of enabling the prayer and praise of the assembly. The meaning of ritual acts and ritual music was described in the context of the dialogues which flow between God and the assembly during the Sunday Eucharist. These concepts were developed then followed up with practical principles in music selection and expression. Primary and secondary places for singing throughout the Sunday celebration were identified.

Saturday, 2nd June, 2001 from 10:00-12:00 noon
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Chris McConnell
The "Threefold Judgement" in music selection was explained. The difference between singing at the liturgy, and singing the liturgy, was emphasized. Many practical considerations in music selection were described. The format of the workshop was an interwoven mixture of practical considerations, singing of selected hymns, and opportunities for discussion.

Download handout  from workshop in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Saturday, 24th February, 2001 from 9:00-12:00 noon
Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Road
Presented by Chris McConnell
Introduction to liturgical principles and music appropriate for the Triduum. The format of the workshop was a blend of formal presentations and group singing.

Download handout  from workshop in   Word 97 or   Acrobat (PDF)  format.

Wednesday, 29th January, 2001 from 7:00-9:30 pm
Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn Place
Presented by members of the Assembly of Liturgical Musicians
Introduction of a selection of Lenten hymns and psalms, primarily from the Catholic Book of Worship III.