Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy: Church Music in the 21st Century
July 13 - July 17, 2026
Tom Shelton and with guest instructors.
Sacred music is evolving—and today’s choral leaders must be both artist and innovator. Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy: Church Music in the 21st Century prepares conductors, church musicians, and music educators to lead vibrant, relevant, and musically excellent worship in a rapidly changing landscape.
This course explores how sacred choral traditions can thrive alongside contemporary practices, emerging technologies, and new models of community engagement. Students will examine practical strategies and forward-thinking approaches that strengthen both musical leadership and congregational participation.
Join Tom Shelton (Westminster Choir College) and Noel Werner (Nassau Church, Princeton) and guests for five days packed with interactive sessions. We'll cover all of the following and more!
- The Liturgy of Living
- Vocal Techniques
- Conducting/Coaching
- Beyond Music: The Art of Faithfulness
- Worship Arts Focus
- Aesthetics of Worship
- Videography in Worship
- Visual Art in Worship
- Social Media
- The Art of Livestreaming
- Children’s Choir/Youth Choir Participation in Worship
- Special Education in the Choral Rehearsal
- Social Justice as an Outreach of Ministry
- Stylistic Journeys – Black Gospel Music Performance Practice
- Working with Aging Voices
- Copyright Law and the Church
- Daily Music Reading Sessions
- Organ for Pianists
We will have two evening gatherings, including a hymn festival at Princeton United Methodist Church led by (Yale University).
Guest instructors to include: Kim Kleason (Nassau Church, Princeton), Sarah Perry (Westminster Choir College), Kathy Price (Westminster Choir College), Steve Pilkington (Christ Church NYC), Lauren Yeh (Nassau Church).