THE SUMMER INSTITUTE OF CHURCH MUSIC PRESENTS
Why Church
Music Matters
Facing decline and reclaiming hope
July 9-11, 2024
Daily in-person sessions in Whitby, ON
Online everywhere 12-4 pm ET; 9-1 pm PT
In the midst of change is the burning question of why our musical offerings continue to matter, beyond contributing to survival and perhaps numerical growth. In that “why” is an invitation to be empowered in our offerings, hopeful in our leadership, and more firmly grounded in our calling.
SICM 2024 theme presenter Martha Tatarnic, music graduate, author, and Anglican priest, will urge us to see these fraught times as an opportunity to examine what we do and why. Continuing SICM’s unique 50+ year tradition, each day will also include skills development, ministry resources, spiritual nurture, and personal connections.
In the midst of change is the burning question of why our musical offerings continue to matter, beyond contributing to survival and perhaps numerical growth.
In that “why” is an invitation to be empowered in our offerings, hopeful in our leadership, and more firmly grounded in our calling.
Join us! Come and be inspired by Martha Tatarnic, music graduate, author, and Anglican priest, as she urges us to see these fraught times as an opportunity to examine what we do and why, with real cause for hope. Interact with our top faculty as we continue SICM’s unique 50+ year tradition of offering skills development, ministry resources, and spiritual nurture, now in a new, more compact and inexpensive format. Renew and build personal connections with church musicians from across Canada.
Register now – don’t miss out on the early bird discount!
Save these dates:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
July 9, 10, 11, 2024
4 hour sessions per day
Registration opening February 1, 2024
- $199 Early Bird – ends May 1
- $249 Regular
IN-PERSON Sound+
Each of the 4-hour sessions will be in-person and scheduled to take place from 12pm to 4pm (Eastern) daily at All Saints Anglican Church, located in the heart of Whitby, Ontario.
ONLINE (Zoom) Simultaneously across Canada:OLED
- 9am-1pm Pacific
- 10am-2pm Mountain
- 11am-3pm Central
- 12pm-4pm Eastern
- 1pm-5pm Atlantic
- 1:30pm-5:30pm Newfoundland and Labrador
ENRICHED ONLINE
Where possible, registrants can gather locally and join SICM’s Zoom
sessions together, enjoying in-person fellowship, discussion, and music making.
SICM 2024 Proposed Schedule
Accommodations in Whitby, ON
If you need accommodation in Whitby as an in-person registrant, we are happy to recommend Durham College – Ontario Tech University Campus – South Village Residence – Summer 2024.
Please note that rooms are not being held and are being offered on a first come first serve basis. Accommodations will only be guaranteed once a booking confirmation number is received. Further, the discounted nightly rate of $94.95 is only being offered until Friday, June 28, 2024. Any reservations made after this date can be booked, based on availability, plus at the nightly rate advertised on their website.
Questions?
Please contact us with any questions at info@sicm.ca
Bursary Fund
The SICM Bursary Fund was created to support first-time participants who demonstrate financial need, aspire to develop their skills and passion for church musicianship. Two bursaries are available annually to cover the cost of registration (online session or in person) for the next available SICM in July. The Bursary Fund does not cover travel cost to the SICM.
Deadline to apply: May 1, 2024
What is the Summer Institute of Church Music?
For more than 50 years, the Summer Institute of Church Music has offered a unique professional development, study, and retreat program for church musicians, worship leaders and choristers. Participants have the opportunity to be mentored, coached and taught by the ‘who’s who’ of Canada’s performers, professors, and thinkers in the church music field. Musicians and leaders of all levels and denominations are warmly welcomed. Since the very beginning, the program has been held at the beautiful campus of Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario, as well as churches in the immediate area. Dr. Stanley L. Osborne, the SICM’s founder, was a former Principal at the school, and a dedicated and passionate church musician himself. Since 2020, the SICM has expanded to offer parallel sessions in Edmonton featuring faculty from the western provinces as well as an online version, combining offerings from both campuses. The SICM is widely recognized for its one of a kind and first-class program. Many participants return year after year to rejoice, study, renew their skills, re-energize, play and sing. The SICM is a non-profit organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Sponsorships and donations are gratefully received.
For more than 50 years, the Summer Institute of Church Music has offered a unique professional development, study, and retreat program for church musicians, worship leaders and choristers. Participants have the opportunity to be mentored, coached and taught by the ‘who’s who’ of Canada’s performers, professors, and thinkers in the church music field. Musicians and leaders of all levels and denominations are warmly welcomed. Since the very beginning, the program has been held at the beautiful campus of Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario, as well as churches in the immediate area. Dr. Stanley L. Osborne, the SICM’s founder, was a former Principal at the school, and a dedicated and passionate church musician himself. The SICM is widely recognized for its one of a kind and first class program. Many participants return year after year to rejoice, study, renew their skills, re-energize, play and sing. The SICM is a non-profit organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Sponsorships and donations are gratefully received.
Testimonials
“SICM is a welcoming community of church leaders — musicians, clergy, lay people — who inspire each other by willingly sharing ideas in an environment that successfully balances professional and spiritual issues. You will be changed for the better by getting involved in this wonderful organization.”
Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt
2021 SICM Faculty
“Over the years I have observed that being a church musician can be both a fulfilling vocation, as well as a sometimes frustrating and lonely existence. But, as I witnessed when I was invited to lecture at SICM in 2019, people clearly enjoyed meeting with others, sharing experience, gaining insights and being nourished as, rather than lead music, they are led. I highly commend this experience to all who, part or full time, are responsible for music in worship.”
Rev. John L. Bell
2019 SICM Faculty
