NWC music department to host workshop

The Northwestern College music department will host a workshop, titled “Children and Music in the Church,” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. The event is free and open to the public.

The workshop will be led by experienced practitioners in the fields of elementary education, music education and church ministry leadership, including Laura Jonker, a 2015 Northwestern graduate and children’s ministries director at American Reformed Church in Orange City. She will present audience members with information on developmentally appropriate ways to incorporate music within children’s faith experiences.

Also speaking at the workshop is Dr. Heather Josselyn-Cranson, associate professor of music at Northwestern, who will give examples of music pieces that can be performed by children within a church setting.

Laura Heitritter, instructor in education at Northwestern, will offer suggestions for getting the most out of interactions with children, with information on how to design lessons and instruction that are engaging and meaningful to young minds.

Sharon Foughty will also speak during the workshop, providing participants with insight into children’s voices and how to develop them. A lecturer in music at Northwestern, Foughty is also a classroom music instructor for Orange City Elementary.

The workshop, says Josselyn-Cranson, is of most value to those individuals who work with children within the church setting and also are involved in worship or music direction, but anyone is invited to attend.

The event will take place in Northwestern’s choral room, located in room 115 in the DeWitt Music Hall.