sharing the song: a reflection on Alice Parker as teacher and song leader

May 16, 2024 by Paul Vasile in Article, News, Leadership

Like so many, my first encounter with Alice Parker was through her music, specifically the hymn and Spiritual arrangements found in almost every church and academic choral library. But it wasn’t until I had a full-time church job and continuing education funds that I plucked up the courage to apply for her Score Study Workshop advertised in The American Organist. While I knew she was a brilliant and respected musician, I had no idea how profoundly her teaching would shape my life and work over the next 18 years.

church music institute at shenandoah conservatory

March 18, 2024 by Paul Vasile in News, Congregational Song

I’m grateful to Dr. Wayne Wold for inviting me to participate in this year's Shenandoah Conservatory Church Music Institute from June 16-28, 2024. I'll be part of Week II, offering sessions around the theme "Sharing the Song: Leadership Skills and Resources to Inspire Congregational Voices."

dean's lecture at st. john's college in annapolis

September 15, 2023 by Paul Vasile in News, Lecture, Community Singing

In late August, I had the opportunity to visit St. John’s College, a historic university in Annapolis, MD, to offer the Friday Dean’s Lecture. I had a joyous time rehearsing with their Freshman Choir and was awed by the deep listening and questions students offered after the lecture. You are welcome to view the lecture, titled Listen, Love, and Learn: The Formative Power of Singing without Paper.

virtual hallelujahs: singing and making community online

April 23, 2020 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Church, Leadership, Pandemic

Earlier this month, I was honored to facilitate one of Eden Theological Seminary’s new theological e-forums, which invite faculty to reflect on resources from their academic areas in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic.

It was rich, wide-ranging conversation about music making and community building and I was especially grateful to be joined by talented, insightful colleagues like Dr. Tony McNeil and Sarah Bereza, who helped offer a broader perspective on the gifts and challenges we're seeing.

making music and meaning in a time of separation

March 30, 2020 by Paul Vasile in podcast, News, Leadership

I was excited for an invitation to participate in Radical Love Live in mid-March, an event hosted by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City that creates space for people to talk about spirituality in all its forms. We had a rich planning call and hoped to move forward, while carefully monitoring the movement of Covid-19 in the country. When we knew the live event would need to be cancelled, along with my travel to the city, co-creators Kelly Wilson and Mark Dilcom invited me to be part of online interview which they released as a podcast.