One feature we’ve added at WorshipGod09 this year are pre-conference intensives for vocalists, songwriters, and worship leaders/planners. They’ll take place on Wednesday, April 5, 1:00-4:30. We wanted to offer something more hands-on and focused for those who were willing to pay a little more ($50) and come a little earlier.

Due to numerous requests, we’ve added thirty slots to the worship leader intensive, which I’ll be leading. I’ll be covering topics like 4 ways to view ourselves as leaders, heart issues, song progression, working with a team, and more.  If you’ve already signed up for the conference and saw that the intensive was full, you can email the conference via the WorshipGod09 website, and ask to be added to the intensive. You’ll also have to give us permission to charge your credit card.

If you haven’t yet registered for the conference (and you’d better get on it!), the intensive will be one of the options during the registration process, until the class is full.

If you or your team signed up for the Worship Team Evaluation seminar on Friday at WorshipGod09, thanks! If you want your team to be considered for evaluation, you have to send an email to Chelsea Kauflin at ckauflin@sovgracemin.org with your name, the name of your church, and the players/vocalists you’ll have (limit of 6). Due to time constraints, we’ll be using wedge monitors and house instruments. Also, please include three songs you’d be willing to play. You’ll be contacted in advance if your team is chosen to be reviewed.

This will be a great opportunity to be put on the spot and find out where you’re doing things well or receive suggestions for improving what you do!

If you wanted to take part in one of the tech lunches at WorshipGod09 but found they were already full, we’ve got good news. We’ve increased the number of people that can attend. Here’s what you need to do:

- Go the registration log-in of WorshipGod09
- Login
- A registration form will appear - in the top left corner click on View or Edit My Registrations
- Click Edit on the registration you want to edit
- Click on the Special Fields tab
- Check the Tech Lunch box
- Click Save

Dave Campbell taught a seminar on Electric Guitar at the conference which was supposed to have some additional handouts related to theory and practice. You can access them by clicking here.

I mentioned in a previous post that Drew Shirley, lead guitarist for Switchfoot and member of the Sovereign Grace church in San Diego, will be teaching two workshops on electric guitar on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 4:15-5:30. They’ll be open to anyone who’d like to come.

Drew said he’ll be demonstrating guitar skills for the electric guitarist on the worship team – things like tone, texture, riffs, voicings, and techniques. He’ll also share some perspectivs on being an artist and some general music concepts. Should be a great time.

If you’ve registered for one or both of the Songwriting Evaluation Seminars at WorshipGod08, you only have a few more weeks to get your songs in. If you’d like to have your song considered for evaluation at the conference, send an MP3 and a Word document with the lyrics to Chelsea at ckauflin@sovgracemin.org. You can also send a CD and lyrics to: “WorshipGOD08 Song Evaluation,” c/o Chelsea Kauflin, 7505 Muncaster Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. These must be sent no later than Tuesday, July 15, to be considered. No more than two submissions per writer. Please understand that we won’t be able to return submissions or review every song submitted. Thanks!

I’m happy to let you know that Drew Shirley, lead guitarist for Switchfoot, and a member of the Sovereign Grace Church in San Diego, has confirmed that he’ll be able to join us for most of WorshipGod08 this year. In addition to playing for a couple main sessions, Drew will be teaching two seminars for guitarists, Thursday and Friday afternoons, from 4:15-5:30. Because this is a late addition to the schedule, no one needs to sign up in advance. Anyone at the conference will be able to attend either or both seminars.

Drew has been playing with Switchfoot for 6 years.  He has written, played, produced, and toured in the music industry for over 15 years and brings a passion for music and worship.  He is a member of Grace Church San Diego along with his expectant wife Jenna and 4 yr old daughter Lauren.

Drew also contributed to the Na Band’s recent project, Looked Upon. Looking forward to what he’ll add to WorshipGod08.