TSCM’S CHURCH MUSIC SKILLS PROGRAMME

Worship & Music Skills Course for Seminaries.  

This course explores the contribution of music and the performing arts in fostering sustainable peacebuilding among Muslims and Christians. Based on research in the Pakistan, the course focuses on music’s transformative role in conflict and post-conflict settings as it examines how music and song are used in our faiths and daily lives. The course design is geared to allow each person to learn and contribute their expertise and specializations in such disciplines as music, the arts, ethnomusicology in the Pakistani context. Pls visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5wpoJkBd8A

The TSCM has launched a new training program for church musicians and Worship Leaders in Pakistan.

Introduction:

TSCM is an educational ministry that promotes the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. The TSCM also produce music and training resources, and organize courses, short workshops and activities.

Developing skills and understanding:

The Church Music Skills aims “to help practicing church musicians to develop the skills and understanding they need for their role” in Pakistan. The program (Skills for short) is arguably the most comprehensive course to provide in-service training for church musicians.

All denominations need good musicians:

The Skills program typifies a fresh breath of ecumenism that now permeates the organisation’s ethos. Eric Sarwar, the Founder/Director of the TSCM, is quite emphatic. “It doesn’t matter what denomination we’re talking about, all churches need good musicians to support what is a key part of church worship. He stated “but focuses on the ministry of singers who lead and inspire music in any church.”

Information:

Church Music skills is a pioneering education program designed to help practicing church musicians and beginers to develop the skills and understanding that they need for their role and for those who want to equip themselves with new skills to lead music in worship.

Principal Aim

• To provide a coherent program of skills training for church musicians.
• To enable students to fulfill their musical potential and became effective leaders and enablers of music in their local church.
• To prepare students technically, intellectually , emotionally and spiritually for the challenges of being a church musicians.
• To encourage students to reflect constructively on their own performances and develop an ability to solve problems that arise in rehearsal and performance.

Learning Outcome:

On completion of the program students will have the following:

1. Their effectiveness as a leader and enabler of music in their local church.
2. The skills and understanding relevant to their role.
3. An ability to evaluate asses their own abilities, performance and understanding.
4. An ability to take responsibility for their own learning.

Three Levels of course:

Level I– (Foundation): Singers and instrumentalists leading a music group for the first time.Meanwhile we are starting with three months foundational course.

Level II– (Intermediate): Singers and instrumentalists with limited experiences of leading a music group, or experienced church musicians with no experience of music groups.

Level III– (Higher): Experienced music group leaders wanting to develop their skills further..

Introductory Unit:

• Why Worship Group?
• Role of Music in Worship.
• Working with instruments.
• Worship and music group Leading.

Practical Units:

• Vocal coaching as singer
• Choral singing for Choir Director or Music Group Leader
• Punjabi Zubor (Psalms), Hymns and songs.
• Worship Dance (Sunday School Teachers & Youth Ministries).
• Instruments : Harmonium (Classical Ragas of Subcontinent), Tabla (Tall system of Indian beat), Keyboard/Organ(Western Music Literacy) and Guitar.
• Song Writing and composing.

Compulsory supporting units for all enrolled students:

• Worship in OT and NT
• Biblical understanding of Music.
• Liturgy and Music.
• Music and Arts in Mission.

Course Structure:

All students begin with introductory modules. The introductory materials for music group leaders cover some fundamental principles, including the role and structure of music groups, working with instruments (with a comprehensive guide to ranges and techniques of Sub-continent), a guide to Raga, Tall and chords, and guidance on bringing a group of players together to lead worship. The introductory units are assessed by a tutor, who will help you device a study plan tailored to your needs, situation and ability, choosing from the four practical units at the appropriate units at the appropriate level. Students can choose one of two routes through the course.

• • The flexible option allow the students to take any unit at any level, including units from other skills areas (Harmonium/Key board, choir trainer or director and leading singer) and compulsory units (Worship in OT and NT, Punjabi Zubor, Biblical understanding of Music.

• • All students enjoy the same access to support and guidance with the course, and each module is marked in the same way by one of our specialist tutor.

• • Many church musicians have to fit in what they do along side family, study, work and many other demands on their time.

• The CMS program is designed to accommodate people’s lives and commitments: there are no imposed deadlines, and you are free to work at your own pace throughout the course. Each module represents about 16 Hrs (Once a week 2 hrs class at evening) of work which can be spread over as long or short as necessary.

The Units n Detail:

Punjabi Zubor, Hymns and Songs. These units focus on performing a wide range of congregational hymns and songs with instruments and voices, from traditional Punjabi Zubor to contemporary worship songs and including some extended liturgical items. All of the learning illustrated with worked examples of pieces from the full range covered. There is advice on musical and spiritual considerations is selecting songs and song books, and on using all of this material effectively in worship.

Ragas, instruments and vocal coaching These units focus on the use of Raga, repeated musical elements in worship, including shorter liturgical items (Dialogues, responses, litanies). At the heart of this repertoire is songs from Sialkot convention (Presbyyerians and Anglicans), Hoshana (Roman Catholics) and various Pentecostal song books from Pakistan. There is also specific guidance on enabling and encouraging improvisation, often a key part of the performance of much of this repertoire.

Working with musicians of varied age and ability Often music groups have to cater for a wide range of players- from primary-age beginners through adult amateurs to skilled professional players, Leaders must embrace this diversity, as well as the wealth of learning styles (Play and sing by ears, readers (very rare) and improvisers, etc .) and different genres that music group leaders to rise to this challenge, and bring the best out of any group. These units also examine good practice in working with children and young people, and explore age-specific repertoire, including music produced specifically for children.

Ecumenical Involvement:

TSCM planned to start this course among three different places (Central, East and South zones) of Karachi city. These areas are highly populated by Christian community and by involving local churches CMS course will be beneficial for young boys and girls ages (14-25 years) in Karachi. Classes will be commenced once a week in all three zones. Working together, we must make the most of the opportunities God provides, so that we may fulfill our purpose, which is to proclaim Christ and His universal reign.

For further information about CMS contact Director Eric Sarwar : ericjubal@gmail.com,  www.tehillimpakistan.com