Singing Meditation Workshop
September 24–25, 2010
Who Would Be Interested in Singing Meditation?
Online Registration (opens in new page)
Registration by Mail (pdf for printing opens in new page)
What People Say about Singing Meditation
Singing Meditation is an interfaith spiritual practice that combines singing—of many types—with group observation of silence. Combining the two practices, which are often engaged in separately, results in a synergy that enhances each component.
In Singing Meditation, a song is introduced by the facilitator. If the song is new to most of the participants the facilitator will play the music line through on a keyboard a few times to give everyone a chance to hear it clearly. Then the song is sung repetitively by the group until singers go from “learning mode” to singing from the heart. The songs in Singing Meditation are deliberately chosen to be easy to learn.
The
singing part of “Singing Meditation” includes a variety of vocalizations:
toning, chanting, singing in rounds, singing in
harmony and mantras. The repertoire is inter-faith: Jewish,
After the learning mode the group sings a cappella until the song spontaneously dissolves into silence. Silence is undirected by the facilitator. Occasionally an inspirational reading or poem will precede silence, but in general no directions or suggestions are provided. Silent periods usually last from 2 – 5 minutes and may be used for meditation, prayer or silent contemplation. A bell is rung to signal the end of the silent period.
Not all of the songs used in Singing Meditation are slow and contemplative. Many are high energy and joyful. Percussion instruments are played.
The goal of Singing Meditation is to help the participants reach a place inside themselves where they can connect with the Divine, their Inner Core, the Spirit of Life. Joy and contemplation, song and silence, are splendid combinations for this purpose.
Visit www.singingmeditation.com to learn more. You can listen to sample songs and find links to YouTube videos at this site.
Who would Be Interested in Signing Meditation?
This approach to transformative worship is an excellent alternative ministry that will especially appeal to
those interested in:
· Non-traditional worship. Those who don’t resonate with traditionaltypes of services built around a sermon or lecture, yet are looking for a way to deepen their spirituality will find that Singing Meditation answers their needs.
· Interfaith practices. Songs are drawn from a variety of paths including Sufi, Christian, Jewish, and earth-centered; but a great number can only be categorized as “non-traditional.” Some of the songs contain words or phrases from more than one faith tradition, making them interfaith songs by definition.
· Worship that is experiential rather than cerebral and passive. Participants are not merely listening, they are fully engaged. The facilitator does not guide the meditation or lead prayer during the silent intervals.
· Group connection. The synergy of the group drives the tempo and mood of the session.
· Outreach to the larger community. Newcomers who are suspicious of organized religion will find this an easy entrée to our congregations. Young adults are enthusiastic about this practice.
Who Should Attend? This workshop would be helpful to choir leaders and music directors who wish to learn more about this spiritual practice in music. With the knowledge and experience gained at the workshop, participants will be able to establish a singing meditation program in their own church or religious society. The workshop is not only for choir leaders! It’s also good for singers or writers who wish to deepen their spiritual connections through music.
Where and When? September 24 and 25, 2010 at the
Ruthie Rosauer was inspired to lead Singing Meditation when she heard
“Taizé singing” at the Findhorn
Community in 
Helen
Gierke has
been a professional musician and music teacher for 35 years. She has worked in
a wide variety of churches, synagogues, and schools with choral and
instrumental groups, as well as teaching privately. She has a Bachelor's in
comprehensive music education (U-Wisconsin), a Master's in Sacred Music, and a
Doctor of Theology degree in liturgy and theology (
In
Friday
The workshop begins with a 90–minute singing meditation session at 7 pm. This session is free and open to the public.
Saturday
9–10. Coffee and hospitality
10–noon. Singing Meditation lecture, interspersed with songs and concluding with a singing meditation session.
12–1 Lunch (included with registration)
1–2 Break–out sessions
a. Spiritual Writing – Session I – Finding our Voices (Liz Hill) “Writing is the process one follows to learn what is already known deep within…” Mary Anne Radmacher. This is a chance to explore our writing voices using the technique of freewriting: writing continuously for a short period without concern for grammar, spelling, or organization.
b. Movement and Song (walking meditation and sacred dance) Ruthie Rosuaer and Helen Gierke
2–3 Singing Meditation session
3:15–4 Break–out sessions
a. Spiritual Writing – Session II – Deeper Reflection (Liz Hill) Lectio divina is a process of deep reflection on an inspirational text. We’ll use this process to listen more deeply for the message of our own writing.
b. How to Start a Group (Ruthie Rosauer)
c. Science of Sound and Caring for Your Voice (Helen Gierke)
What Are the Accommodations? We have secured a special rate at three motels near the church.
|
Hotel |
Rate |
Amenities |
|
|
$89.95 |
Indoor pool; hot breakfast; indoor corridors |
|
|
$64.99 |
Seasonal outdoor pool; hot breakfast; outside & inside corridors |
|
|
$38.95 to $49.95 |
Seasonal outdoor pool; no breakfast; outside & inside corridors |
Click on the name of the hotel for detailed information and contact information. When making your reservation, you must mention that you are registered at the Singing Meditation Workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga.
If
you fly to
Please contact us for more information about this.
Kate Briere 423/667-0840 music@uuc.org
Jeff
Briere 423/667-0855 minister@uuc.org
More Questions? Call or write:
Kate Briere 423/667-0840 music@uuc.org
Jeff Briere 423/667-0855 minister@uuc.org
What People Say about Singing Meditation
“In a culture that often severs musical and artistic talent from all except a few anointed ones, this book is restorative. Following Hill and Rosauer's text is like having an ancient time traveler accompany the reader through the roots of the Tree of Life, one that grows thousands of branches of music, and musicians. This work is filled with gentle, supportive explanations reminding: Yes music is part of your soul, the legacy you were born with and born to.” — CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run With the Wolves; editor and columnist for The Moderate Voice and columnist at the National Catholic Reporter
“Singing
Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence offers the church musician a powerful tool to help people reclaim their
singing voices. The book clearly lines out the steps to begin and sustain a
Singing Meditation group. This interfaith spiritual discipline helps people
with diverse faith backgrounds experience the essence of other faiths through
their sacred music. Singing Meditation will take its place alongside church
choirs and drum circles as a way for ‘just folks’ to participate in a rich
musical tradition.” — BARBARA MILLER is Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the
“In a world hungry for creative and sacred expression, Singing Meditation is a wonderful invitation to connect with a sweetness inside you. This book sets a safe space and outlines everything you need to know---and pretty soon you may just want to drop everything around you, and start singing your way to freedom.” — TAMA J. KIEVES , best–selling author of This Time I Dance! Creating the Work You Love
“Timely,
deliberately practical, and joyfully informative, this book is an enthusiasticinvitation to experience a transformative
spiritual practice through song. It will be warmly appealing to those who long
to find the Universal Heart within all spiritual pathways, and pleasantly
disarming to those who are simply interested in experimenting. The book itself
is an echo of the Sacred Sound it extols, and readers will find it engenders
deep gratitude for the Spirit it honors, embodies, and shares.” — STEVE SPINA, Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies,
“In this ever louder, ever faster time in which we live, this invitation to combine contemplative silence with communal singing and dancing provides a desperately needed balance. The historical setting, glossary, and specificrecommendations for implementation are most welcome. Toparaphrase the authors, silence is a taste more people need to acquire.” — JOYCE GILBERT, a founder of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network.
“The authors conjure the ancient magical dance of music and stillness that leads to inner peace, then teach the rest of us to summon it as well.” — KENN AMDAHL, author of Joy Writing: Discover and Develop
Your Creative Voice (