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 congregational song, as well as other church music topics and features seven different specials as clinicians.
Clinicians
Jennaya Robison
Week 1: June 15–20, 2025
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
Week 2: June 22–27, 2025
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
Monday to Thursday Each Week, 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Handbell Director/Clinician and CMI Assistant Director
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.
Dr. Wayne L. Wold
Various Sessions
Various Sessions on Hymnology, Hymn-Leading and Hymn Choosing
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.
Sample Schedule
Week 1 Schedule | June 16–21, 2024
Time | Event | Location |
3:30 p.m. | Campus Housing Check-in | University Inn Lobby |
5:30 p.m. | Introductions & Dinner | Allen Dining Hall |
7 p.m. | Opening Worship | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
Time | Event | Location |
7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
8:30 a.m. | Morning Workshop with Discussion Time | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
9:15 a.m. |
Session I Monday: Kelly Macklin & John delRe, Shape Note Traditions |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
10:30 a.m. | Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing | |
10:45 a.m. | Handbell Rehearsal with Heather Ankerbrand | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
12 p.m. | Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/Leaders | Allen Dining Hall |
1:15 p.m. |
Session II Monday: Kelly Macklin & John delRe, Shape Note Traditions |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
2:30 p.m. | Break | |
3 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions/Discussions Monday: Overview of Lutheran Hymn Traditions, Wayne L. Wold |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
4:30 p.m. | Hymn Leadership from the Keyboard | Various Locations |
5:30 p.m. | Dinner & Break | Allen Dining Hall |
6:40 p.m. | Travel to Off-campus Location | |
7 p.m. |
Evening Worship/Concert Monday: Worship with Shape-Note Singing |
Various Locations Monday: TBA |
Time | Event | Location |
7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen 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 & Farewell | Allen Dining Hall |
Week 2 Schedule | June 23–28, 2024
Time | Event | Location |
3:30 p.m. | Campus Housing Check-in | University Inn Lobby |
5:30 p.m. | Introductions & Dinner | Allen Dining Hall |
7 p.m. | Opening Worship | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
Time | Event | Location |
7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
8:30 a.m. | Morning Workshop with Discussion Time | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
9:15 a.m. |
Session I Monday: Paul Vasile |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
10:30 a.m. | Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing | |
10:45 a.m. | Handbell Rehearsal with Heather Ankerbrand | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
12 p.m. | Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/Leaders | Allen Dining Hall |
1:15 p.m. |
Session II Monday: Paul Vasile |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
2:30 p.m. | Break | |
3 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions/Discussions Monday: Anglican/Episcopal Hymnody, Wendy Oesterling |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
4:30 p.m. | Hymn Leadership from the Keyboard | Various Locations |
5:30 p.m. | Dinner & Break | Allen Dining Hall |
6:40 p.m. | Travel to Off-campus Location | |
7 p.m. |
Evening Worship/Programs Monday: Choral Evensong |
Various Locations Monday: Grace Episcopal, Berryville |
Time | Event | Location |
7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen 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 Chaplain Ian Urriola |
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
12 p.m. | Lunch & Farewell | Allen Dining Hall |
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.*
View Instant Enrollment Instructions
*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
Credit
The rate is $610 per week for participants seeking to earn credit. This rate applies for both undergraduate and graduate level participants.
Audit
The rate is $482 per week for participants seeking to audit. This rate applies for both undergraduate and graduate level participants.
Housing
Off-campus Housing
The Winchester area is home to numerous places of comfortable accommodation. Shenandoah University discounts are available at some area hotels.
On-campus Housing
On-campus housing is available for participants at the rate of $85 per night. 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, Director
Church Music Institute
Shenandoah Conservatory
cmi@su.edu