A Music Workshop for youth who desire to use their voices to praise the Lord!
Sponsored by NNEC and Hosted at Norridgewock SDA Church, Norridgewock, Maine
Coming July 22-26, 2025!
General Information
“Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.” (Ministry of Healing, p 255) It’s time to train an army of youth to “sharpen their weapons” to lead in praise and worship as we engage in the final conflict between good and evil!
Sing for Joy Music Workshop is designed to equip youth to serve in music ministry. We will cover basic music concepts while improving singing skills and preparing music for the Sabbath worship service. Topics will include support/breathing, vowel modification, basic music reading and rhythm, ear training, harmony, sight-singing, intervals, and more!
This workshop is geared for Young People ages 10 (by July 22) and up. Parents are encouraged to participate as much as possible, although supervision of their younger children should always take first priority. The Children’s Program for younger siblings is packed with activities, and parents are always needed to assist with that.
We will begin on Monday, July 21 with some pre-session activities including a Piano Master Class, “Enhancing Skills for Supporting the Worship Service,” Conductor’s Training, an Orchestra Rehearsal, and a Staff Meeting. Everyone will meet from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Tue– Fri, and there will be some additional practices in the afternoons for orchestra, small groups and/or soloists. The music learned will be shared during the Worship Hour on Sabbath. The focus for the music, worships, and Sabbath service will be on Christ’s soon return.
Cheryl Wiley has coordinated Sing for Joy since its inception in 2020 in Hayden, Idaho. This is the first time to bring Sing for Joy to the Northeast. Cheryl uses the “Blaylock Method” which is the same method used by Fountainview Academy, to help teens find “their voice” and achieve a natural, resonant sound. Lisa Quade is the coordinator for this event, and she will be assisted by a wonderful team of volunteer parents who will help with both the youth and the children’s program.
You can access training videos for voice, conducting, and piano HERE: Training Videos
Location
The program activities will be held between the Norridgewock Seventh-day Adventist Church in the historic town of Norridgewock, Maine (30 Upper Main Street) and the church school, Riverview Memorial School (201 Mercer Road/Hwy 2), located on nearly 100 acres a couple of miles from the church. If you are considering a family vacation to the beautiful Northeast, why not include this music event to encourage your youth in serving the Lord through music in worship and missions.
Schedule
(subject to change)
Monday- July 21
10:00-12:00 pm Piano Master Class – “Enhancing Skills for Supporting the Worship Service”
1:00-3:00 pm Conductor’s Training (others are welcome to observe)
3:30-5:30 pm Orchestra Rehearsal
5:30-6:00 pm Break for supper (bring a sack supper)
6:00-7:00 pm Staff Meeting
Tuesday through Thursday – July 22 – 24
9:00 am Optional Prayer time
9:30 am Worship/Announcements/Meet & Greet
10:00 am Vocal Workshop
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Vocal Workshop
3:30 pm Dismiss
4:00-5:30 pm Orchestra practice (as needed)
4:00-7:00 pm Vocal coaching for solos & small groups
Friday – July 25
9:00 am Optional Prayer time
9:30 am Worship/Announcements
10:00 am Vocal Workshop
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Chimes & Colored bells rehearsal in Sanctuary
1:30 pm Wrap up/Rehearsal for Church Service
3:30 pm Dismiss (practice for Speakers – 3:45-4:30 pm)
Sabbath – July 26
9:30 am Sabbath School
11:00 am Worship Hour
1:00 pm Lunch
2:30 pm Afternoon activity
6:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm Worship and Wrap up followed by clean up
We hope you will join us for supper and close Sabbath together with us. We find that our Sabbath evening worship time is the highlight of the week!
Cost
Participant fee is $60 $30 per participant, $90 $45 for two from the same family, and $120 $60 max per family. (We so believe that this program will be a rich blessings to our young people that we have discounted the costs 50% from the usual rates so you can’t help but “taste and see”!) Parents and children ages 4 and under are free. Fees will be invoiced to you after your acceptance has been processed. Limited scholarship funds are available to provide further discounts to families upon request.
Meals
Catered vegan lunch meals (Tue-Fri) will be provided by Little Lads for $8 per person per meal. (Children ages 4 and under eat free with a paying adult.) You will have the option of paying $6 per person to provide your contribution to the Sabbath fellowship lunch or bring toppings for haystacks.
Breakfasts: on your own
Lunches (Tue-Fri): Catered, vegan meals are available – $8 per person
Suppers (Tues-Fri): on your own
Sabbath lunch: haystack fellowship meal
Sabbath supper: fellowship meal (sandwiches, fruit, finger foods)
Housing
Please try to arrange your own housing. We will ask local church members to open their homes if possible for families on a limited budget. Camping (tents/RV’s) is also available at the Riverview Memorial School. Restrooms and running water will be available.
Music
Music files will be made available once you have registered. You will need to print them and make up a music binder. Use the links on the Music Resources page to listen to songs and sing along. Please learn the words before the workshop, and try to learn your part as much as possible.
Females ages 13 and up should prepare the alto part, unless notified to do otherwise. (Females who are very uncomfortable with the alto part may prepare the soprano part.) Males who can sing down to a G (1½ octaves below middle C) should prepare the bass part; others may prepare the tenor part. Boys whose voices have not changed may choose to prepare the alto or soprano part.
Adults are welcome to join on: 1) Jesus is Coming Soon 2) congregational hymns 3) The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Music selections include:
- #661 Holy, Holy, Holy (w/Congregation)
- #633 When We All Get to Heaven (w/Congregation)
- #427 No Night There (w/Congregation)
- #626 In a Little While we’re Going Home (w/ Congregation)
- #218 When He Cometh (younger children)
- #598 Watch Ye Saints (older children)
- Jesus is Coming Soon (male double quartet or chorus)
- I Want to go to Heaven (Youth Choir with Guitars)
- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (new version; Youth Choir with Orchestra)
- #428 Sweet By and By (w/Congregation)
- #669 The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Choir – a cappella)
- Offertory – Come Thou Fount
Supervision
We expect a parent or adult supervisor designated by a parent to remain on site and assist with supervision. If the student’s parent is not coming, please indicate the name of the supervising adult on the registration form.
Sabbath Attire for Church Service
Guys: black pants; solid white button up shirt; ties optional (black, white, gray, silver), black dress shoes.
Girls: black dresses to the knee or below; or black skirts with solid white tops; (w/sleeves; modest necklines; loose-fitting); comfortable black dress shoes, (avoid high heels as you’ll be going up/down stairs/risers), scarves optional (black, white, gray, silver).