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Church Music Institute

THE CHURCH CHOIR

Week One: June 15–20, 2025 | Emphasis on Adult Choirs with Clinician Jennaya Robison
Week Two: June 22–27, 2025 | Emphasis on Children and Youth Choirs with Clinician Mark Burrows

About CMI

The Church Music Institute (CMI) at Shenandoah University (SU) goes back many decades. Hundreds of church musicians from a wide variety of denominations have participated in these summer sessions. Teachers have included SU faculty plus outstanding guest clinicians. CMI is back in its full-two-week format, and credits can once again be earned toward a Church Music Certificate at either the graduate or undergraduate level. This year’s institute celebrates the past, present and future of the church choir, as well as other church music topics, and features special sessions with several guest clinicians.

Week One: June 15–20, 2025

Emphasis on Adult Choirs with Clinician Jennaya Robison

Week Two: June 22–27, 2025

Emphasis on Children and Youth Choirs with Clinician Mark Burrows

Clinicians

Jennaya Robison

Jennaya Robison is the artistic director of the National Lutheran Choir and is a highly accomplished conductor, educator, and vocalist. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, a Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico, and an undergraduate degree in music (education and voice) from Luther College. Her extensive work in the field of choral conducting includes serving as the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory until 2023, Associate Professor of Choral Music at Luther College from 2013 to 2020, and founding Scottsdale Musical Arts in 2009.

In demand as a clinician and guest speaker, Robison frequently appears at regional and national choral conferences and seminars; regularly leads All State and honor choirs, workshops, and festivals; and has taught courses in choral singing and global connection in the United States, Namibia, South Africa, Germany, and an upcoming festival in Italy (2024). She is the editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series with MorningStar Music Publishers as well as the Jennaya Robison Series with Pavane Publishing, and she is an active arranger of choral music. Robison has served as soloist and chorister with the Dale Warland Singers, True Concord Voices, Spire Chamber Ensemble, and the Tucson Symphony among many other ensembles. She is the national chair of Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association, a member of Chorus America, and has held leadership positions at Lutheran churches in Arizona, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Mark Burrows

Mark Burrows is a composer, conductor, and educator whose music is published by many major houses. Mark’s works are featured on numerous state and festival lists, and he receives multiple commissions each year for groups ranging from children’s choirs to adult ensembles to intergenerational festival choirs. As a conductor and educator, Mark serves as a guest clinician with honor and festival choirs throughout the country. He also leads workshops and reading sessions at several state and national conferences each year. Mark received his undergraduate degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and his graduate degree in conducting from Texas Christian University. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Nina, and their daughters, Emma and Grace.

Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Heather Ankerbrand will lead sessions on handbell technique, repertoire and their use in worship, and will give opportunities for attendees to conduct. She will also lead a session on congregational psalmody. Heather earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance – Organ from Shenandoah Conservatory, is director of music and organist at Front Royal Presbyterian Church, and has been active in the Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

[tab title=”Wayne L. Wold”]

Dr. Wayne L. Wold

Wayne L. Wold is director of the Church Music Institute at Shenandoah Conservatory and serves as an adjunct associate professor of music at Shenandoah University; director of music at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland; professor emeritus at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland; and is an active composer, author, performer and clinician.

Week 1 Schedule

Week 1 Schedule | Sunday, June 15, 2025

TimeEventLocation
3:30 p.m.Campus Housing Check-inUniversity Inn Lobby
5:30 p.m.Introductions & DinnerAllen Dining Hall
7 p.m.Opening WorshipGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall

Week 1 Schedule | Monday, June 16 – Thursday, June 19, 2025

TimeEventLocation
7:30 a.m.BreakfastAllen Dining Hall
8:30 a.m.Morning Workshop with Discussion TimeGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
9:15 a.m.Sessions with Jennaya RobisonGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
10:30 a.m.Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing
10:45 a.m.Handbell Rehearsal with Heather AnkerbrandGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
12 p.m.Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/LeadersAllen Dining Hall
1:15 p.m.Sessions with Jennaya RobisonGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
2:30 p.m.Break
3 p.m.Breakout Sessions/Discussions
Philosophy of Church Music and Other Topics
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
4 p.m.Monday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Jennaya Robison
Tuesday: Workshop with Stephen Holmes of the Maryland State Boy Choir
Wednesday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Jennaya Robison
Thursday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Jennaya Robison
Various Locations
5:30 p.m.Dinner & BreakAllen Dining Hall
6:40 p.m.Travel to Off-campus Location
7 p.m.Evening Worship/Concert
Monday: TBA
Tuesday: Concert and Choral Compline by the Maryland State Boy Choir
Wednesday: “Eve of Juneteenth” Commemoration
Thursday: Organ Recital by SU Student Anna Smith and Choral Evensong in Upperville, Virginia
Various Locations

Week 1 Schedule | Friday, June 20, 2025

TimeEventLocation
7:30 a.m.BreakfastAllen Dining Hall
9 a.m.Wrap-up Session with Guest Clinicians & Others
10 a.m.Music Store Check-out & Worship Prep
10:30 a.m.Closing Worship with Holy Communion
SU Chaplain Rev. DeLyn Celec, Preaching and Presiding
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
12 p.m.Lunch & FarewellAllen Dining Hall

Week 2 Schedule

Week 2 Schedule | Sunday, June 22, 2025

TimeEventLocation
3:30 p.m.Campus Housing Check-inUniversity Inn Lobby
5:30 p.m.Introductions & DinnerAllen Dining Hall
7 p.m.Opening WorshipAlGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall

Week 2 Schedule | Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26, 2025

TimeEventLocation
7:30 a.m.BreakfastAllen Dining Hall
8:30 a.m.Morning Workshop with Discussion TimeGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
9:15 a.m.Sessions with Mark BurrowsGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
10:30 a.m.Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing
10:45 a.m.Handbell Rehearsal with Heather AnkerbrandGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
12 p.m.Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/LeadersAllen Dining Hall
1:15 p.m.Sessions with Mark BurrowsGoodson Chapel – Recital Hall
2:30 p.m.Break
3 p.m.Breakout Sessions/Discussions
Philosophy of Church Music and Other Topics
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
4 p.m.Monday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Mark Burrows
Tuesday: TBA
Wednesday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Mark Burrows
Thursday: Worship planning groups OR private sessions with Mark Burrows
Various Locations
5:30 p.m.Dinner & BreakAllen Dining Hall
6:40 p.m.Travel to Off-campus Location
7 p.m.Evening Worship/Concert
Monday: TBA
Tuesday: Presentation on SU’s Historic Roots in Church Music by Jonathan Noyales
Wednesday: Presentation on Running a Community-based Children’s Chorus by Patty Austin
Thursday: TBA
Various Locations

Week 2 Schedule | Friday, June 27, 2025

TimeEventLocation
7:30 a.m.BreakfastAllen Dining Hall
9 a.m.Wrap-up Session with Guest Clinicians & Others
10 a.m.Music Store Check-out & Worship Prep
10:30 a.m.Closing Worship with Holy Communion
SU Chaplain Rev. DeLyn Celec, Preaching and Presiding
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
12 p.m.Lunch & FarewellAllen Dining Hall

Schedule is subject to change.

Registration Information

Visiting students with a valid SSN can enroll and pay online via Instant Enrollment (SSN is required). Shenandoah University students in a current degree program can enroll via Hornet Hub or by enrolling and paying via Instant Enrollment.*

*Students receiving financial aid must enroll via Hornet Hub. Students registering via Hornet Hub follow the scheduled due dates, drop dates, etc. All balances must be paid prior to the course start date.

Tuition

The rate is $620 per week for participants seeking to earn credit. This rate applies for both undergraduate and graduate level participants.

The rate is $492 per week for participants seeking to audit. This rate applies for both undergraduate and graduate level participants.

Housing

The Winchester area is home to numerous places of comfortable accommodation. Shenandoah University discounts are available at some area hotels.

On-campus housing is available for participants at the rate of $95 per night and includes meals. Note: If you are a current Shenandoah University student, contact Dr. Wold if you are seeking on-campus housing during this program for more information on how to have your student account charged.

Church Music Certificate

Shenandoah University offers a Church Music Certificate which requires attendance at three consecutive two-week summer sessions of CMI.

Refund Policy

Church Music Institute participants may cancel their registration up to 7 days prior to the event for an 80% refund. Contact Wayne L. Wold for more information.

Contact Us

Dr. Wayne L. Wold
Church Music Institute Director
Shenandoah Conservatory
cmi@su.edu