I give presentations and workshops at churches, colleges, and seminaries on a wide range of topics related to music and the Christian tradition.

From the history of sacred music to the theology of the Beatles, my interactive workshops are opportunities for participants to learn about how music relates to their faith. Built on a foundation of twenty years’ experience as a professional musician and educator, each workshop is flexible in length and can be tailored to fit the interests of a variety of participants: from youth groups to seminarians, undergraduates to pastors, and music lovers of all kinds. More than just educational programs, my workshops are opportunities for participants to grow in faith and understanding by exploring the ways music has helped to shape their Christian life.

My ability to invite non-musicians into meaningful discussions is a hallmark of a career that has combined international success as a musician with a commitment to community-oriented education. From Harvard Divinity School to homeless shelters, public libraries to college classrooms, and churches of almost every kind, I’ve spoken to thousands of music lovers interested in exploring how music impacts their lives and their faith.

Scroll down to see a list of my current workshops, then contact me to book a session.

A Thousand Years of Sacred Music

From Gregorian Chant to Gospel, Bach to Bono, requiems to Christian Rock, this presentation covers covers the 1000-year history of sacred music in Western Europe and the USA. Along the way, it encourages participants to explore their own preferences and prejudices around worship music, challenging them to think deeply about how the sacred music they love contributes to their views of God and their lives as Christians.

FIRST PRESENTATION: Wollaston Church of the Nazarene.

A Modern Look at the Psalms

This is interactive “musical Bible study” event uses recordings of brand-new psalm settings as a springboard for discussion about Scripture. Beginning with an introduction to the ways musical compositions present interpretations of texts, participants then discuss how several different settings of the same psalm help us experience the texts in different ways. By listening to contemporary responses to these ancient texts, attendees gain new perspective on the richness and power of the psalms, and how they can contribute to their own lives in meaningful ways.

FIRST PRESENTATIONS: Old South Church, Boston University School of Theology, UMass-Boston.

Sacred Masterpieces

Handel’s Messiah: This session is a deep dive into one the greatest works of sacred music in the Western classical tradition. Drawing on my experience conducting this masterwork over a dozen times, I describe how Handel’s music can enrich our understanding of Scripture and inspire us in our lives of faith. Perfect for Advent, Lent/Easter - or any time in the church year!

Mozart’s Requiem:In this session, participants explore the theology and spiritual richness of this great masterwork through a combination of guided listening and discussion. To this session I bring not only my work as a conductor and teacher, but also my personal experience as a widower, which allows me to provide a unique perspective on how this powerful work can impact the way we think about death - and life - as Christians.

FIRST PRESENTATIONS: Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy.

How Hymns Work

Through singing and discussion, participants in this workshop explore how the music and words work together to make their favorite hymns so meaningful and powerful. By considering how different musical settings of the same hymn-text highlight different dimensions of its meaning, participants gain a fascinating new perspective on the great hymns of our faith.

FIRST PRESENTATION: Andover-Newton Theological School

Race and Sacred Music in America

This brand new, interactive workshop introduces participants to the complex racial history behind various traditions of worship music in America. Attendees are challenged to explore how their own ideas about worship and music relate to our country’s history of racism and oppression. I developed this session because of my own complicated history with the topic. I’m a white person who has spent twenty years researching, teaching, and performing Black sacred music, including serving as the director of an 80-voice gospel choir. As I have grown as a scholar, educator, and Christian, I have realized the depth to which my own ideas about worship, music, and even God are wrapped up in the racially-fraught dimensions of the sacred music I treasure.

The Spiritual Wisdom of Pop Music

This fun and engaging workshop is based on my recent work on popular music and theology. Participants learn about how popular musicians working in a wide variety of genres - from Bob Dylan to Beyonce, the Beatles to Black Sabbath, Kanye West to the Killers - grapple with concepts like faith, doubt, and redemption in their work. Together we will listen to powerful and provocative songs which challenge us to think deeply about our faith. Get ready to discover new music by some of your favorite artists, and to open yourself to the wisdom of the spiritual seekers of the pop music world.

FIRST PRESENTATION: Church of the Advent’s Theology on Tap Series