Workshops & Festivals

Dear Church Musician Colleagues,                                                                     

I’m writing to invite you and your church choir singers to Messiah University’s second annual Church Choir Festival 2024!  Last year was a beautiful success with great music and learning for all participants.  This year’s festival will take place on February 4th, 2024 in beautiful Parmer Hall at the Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and the Performing Arts.  This one-afternoon festival will provide area church choirs with the chance to fellowship together by learning and performing diverse anthems of the Christian faith in a large festival choir conducted by Messiah University music professors and alongside Messiah University’s 48-voice Concert Choir.  In addition to choral clinics and performance, the afternoon will also include lifelong-learning classes for singers and directors by professors of theology, hymnology, Christian ministries and music.  The cost for participation is $25 per singer which includes all music and an afternoon snack, and all proceeds support Messiah University’s choir outreach tours.

Festival Repertoire:

My God is a Rock – Spiritual arr. Parker/Shaw

A New Jerusalem Arise – Kyle Pederson

Abide With Me – arr. Andrew Meade

Hear How His People Sing – Dr. Michael Harcrow, Professor of Music

Festival Schedule:

12:30pm: Registration Begins

1:00-3:00pm:  Rehearsal

3:00-3:45pm: Lifelong-Learning Classes

Theology of Great Hymns of the Faith – Dr. Doug Curry

                             Singing Stories of Hope – Pastor David Flowers

Choir’s impact on wholistic wellness – Dr. Rachel Cornacchio

Vocal Fitness for the Volunteer Singer – Dr. Joy Meade                               

3:45-4:15pm: Meet & Greet Snack Break

4:15-5:15pm: Rehearsal

5:30-6:30pm: Festival Performance and Hymn Sing

(Audience welcome, no tickets required)

Singers can register individually by email, mail, or by calling the music office.  Directors can register singers as
group by email or mail via the Church Choir Festival Registration Form.  Registration is open until February 2nd, 2024.

Please feel free to reach out with questions to Dr. Joy Meade – jmeade@messiah.edu, 610-513-1909.

Warmly,

Joy Meade, D.M.A.
Director of Choral Activities

Doug Curry, D. Min.
Worship Pastor

The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) Jazz Camp serves music students ages 12-18, of all instruments and voice and is conducted by professional jazz musician-educators. Students who seriously desire to further their musical education and, in particular, to learn about jazz improvisation, are welcome.

Click to read more

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Monday, July 14, 2025 - Friday, July 18, 2025

A new Messiah string camp for young string players entering grades 3-6 (Students should have 6 months to one year of playing experience)

Monday – Thursday. 8:30AM-11:45AM
Friday 8:30AM – 2:00PM

Tuition: $170

Sample Schedule
8:30AM -  arrival

8:45AM-10:00AM -  Orchestra rehearsal (with  stretching breaks)

10:00AM-11:00AM - Masterclasses. Students will be divided by instrument and will get a chance to work on setup and technique through fun games and activities with teachers specializing in their instrument.

11:00AM-11:45AM - Enrichment time.  Students will have a variety of musical activities that could include singing, movement and rhythm games, watching performances and fiddling.

Friday Schedule:
11:45AM-12:15PM -  Lunch (bring your own)
12:20PM-12:45PM -  Rehearsal in Parmer Hall
1:00PM -  Performance for family and friends

Camp Faculty:
Kerry Harker-Roth –  camp director/teacher coodinator
James Nackley – orchestra director
String specialists

The Summer Orchestra Camp, offers an exciting opportunity for approximately 100 students entering grades 7 through 12 to play in chamber ensembles, two large orchestras, master classes and take courses in musicianship, all taught by an expert faculty of artist-teachers comprised of Messiah University faculty and orchestral educators of Central Pennsylvania. Additionally, students attend outstanding performances of guest artists and performances as part of the Market Square Concert Series.

Faculty members include: Dr. Timothy Dixon, Kerry Harker-Roth, Ai-Lin Hsieh, Krista Kriel, Brian Krauss, and Adam Cordle

The Messiah University Orchestral Conductors Symposium serves as both a forum and a classroom for music educators in the orchestral arena.  Conductors work with authorities in the field, including Dr. Timothy Dixon, Director of Orchestral Studies, to develop and refine technique both on the podium and in score study.

The Messiah University Wind Conductors Symposium was developed to create an opportunity for music educators to work with noted authorities in the field of rehearsal techniques and conducting.  The 2019 Symposium will feature Paul Popiel, Director of Bands at the University of Kansas, Dr. James Colonna, Director of Bands, Messiah University.

The Messiah University Choral Conductors Symposium allows music educators to further their experience in the field of choral conducting. Dr. Rachel Cornacchio will lead this year's annual symposium.