AC MUSIC CONFERENCE

May 2, 2026 in Morton

This event is for song leaders, directors, composers and other music enthusiasts in our denomination. It will be a day for promoting good vocal singing, giving guidance for song leading and choral directing, and encouragement for composing and/or arranging sacred music.

LOCATION

Morton AC Fellowship Hall

AGENDA

8:00—8:30 AM      

Registration

 

8:30—8:45       

Welcome, Opening Prayer

Song: "Christian Greetings"

 

8:45—9:45       

Opening Joint Session - Singing for the Lord

 

9:45—10:00     

Break

 

10:00—10:45   

Session One - Understanding Our Instrument (voice)

 

10:45—11:00   

Break

 

11:00—11:45   

Session Two - Leading the Way (song leading)

 

11:45 AM—1:00 PM   

Lunch & Fellowship

 

1:00—1:45       

Session Three - Following the Leader (choral directing)

 

1:45—2:00       

Break

 

2:00—2:45       

Breakouts

4A – Arranging & Composing Music

4B – Choral Directing Workshop

 

2:45—3:00       

Break

 

3:00—5:00       

Session Five - Singing a New Song

 

5:00               

Closing Prayer & Comments

Song: "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"

All times are Central.

Session Descriptions

OPENING

Singing for the Lord

Phil Witzig (Morton), Rachel Schrock (Congerville), Rod Stoller (Latty)

This joint session starts off with an inspirational meditation on "Why we sing" followed by a briefing on resources available at the AC Bookstore and volunteer opportunities for enhancing our published hymnody, and ends with some interactive AC music trivia.

SESSION ONE

Understanding Our Instrument

Ben Luginbuhl (Bloomington)

A focus on what can help us sing our best individually and corporately for the Lord, including good techniques such as vocal warmups, breathing, posture, hydration, and rest. 

SESSION TWO

Leading the Way (song leading)

Bob Hoerr (Peoria)

Bob, along with panelists Phil Witzig, Becky Gerber (Bluffton), Ronda Fiechter (Bluffton) and Claire Roscher (Minneapolis), will provide guidance on improved song leading with the basics of music theory in major/minor keys, meter, blowing pitches, starting the song, and keeping tempo. It will also include introducing youth to harmony and learning parts, progressing to more advanced guidance for experienced song leaders in church worship and Sunday School services.

SESSION THREE

Following the Leader (choral directing)

Ben Luginbuhl (Bloomington)

Ben, along with panelists Phil Witzig, Becky Gerber, Ronda Fiechter, and Claire Roscher, will focus on choral directing & rehearsal techniques, including the essentials for conducting patterns for each main meter, importance of the prep beats, how to conduct cut-offs, what to do with the left hand, etc. It will also include building confidence in choral groups for church worship, funeral singing, and Sunday School programs from basic to the more advanced conducting patterns for all ages. 

Following the session three, attendees will break into two groups, attending the breakout you selected at registration.

SESSION FOUR — BREAKOUTS

Encouraging Gifts and Talents (Choose A or B)

SESSION FIVE

Singing a New Song

Moderators: Ben Luginbuhl, Phil Witzig, Rod Stoller, Bob Hoerr, Becky Gerber, Ronda Fiechter, Claire Roscher, Nick Lanz, and Rachel Schrock. 

Here is an opportunity to sing new songs submitted by AC composers. Hard copy music will be available as well as AC composer contact info.

Register to Attend

Advance registration is required.

Watch or Listen Live

If you are unable to attend in-person, it will be live-streamed on AC Central under Morton and then archived to "Past Events" the following week. There is no need to register to access this.