Church Music Institute
Primary Focus on Congregational Song
Week One: June 13–18, 2027 with clinician C. Michael Hawn
Week Two: June 20–25, 2027 with clinician David Bjorlin
About CMI
The Church Music Institute (CMI) at Shenandoah University (SU) goes back many decades. Hundreds of church musicians from a wide variety of denominations have participated in these summer sessions. Teachers have included SU faculty plus outstanding guest clinicians. CMI is back in its full-two-week format, and credits can once again be earned toward a Church Music Certificate at either the graduate or undergraduate level. This year’s institute celebrates the congregational song, as well as other church music topics, and features special sessions with several guest clinicians.
Week One: June 14–19, 2026 with Marianne Kim
Week Two: June 22–27, 2026 with Jan Kraybill
Clinicians
C. Michael Hawn
Week 1: June 13–18, 2027
C. Michael Hawn has taught church music at the graduate level for 45 years, including at two Baptist seminaries, retiring as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, in 2017. He remains on the faculty as adjunct professor of church music in the Doctor of Pastoral Music program. Hawn has also served congregations in Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas as minister of music. His primary publications related to congregational song include “Gather into One: Praying and Singing Globally” (Eerdmans, 2003), “New Songs of Celebration Render: Congregational Song in the Twenty-first Century” (GIA Publications, 2013), and “Sing with Understanding: Introduction to Theology in Congregational Song,” 3rd Ed. (GIA Publications, 2022). He has served as the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology (U.K.) since 2017. Known for his research in congregational song in the Global South, he was the music director for the Ninth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2006.
David Bjorlin
Week 2: June 20–25, 2027
David Bjorlin is associate professor of worship at North Park Theological Seminary. He is a widely published hymn writer whose latest collection, “Hope Will Not Fail,” was released in 2024 with GIA. His latest academic book, “Attuned to Christ: Worship Ethics in a Neoliberal World,” will be published in April 2027 with Fortress Press.
Dr. Heather Ankerbrand
Monday to Thursday Each Week
Heather Ankerbrand will lead sessions on handbell technique, repertoire and their use in worship, and will give opportunities for attendees to conduct. She will also lead a session on congregational psalmody. Heather earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance – Organ from Shenandoah Conservatory, is director of music and organist at Front Royal Presbyterian Church, and has been active in the Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Dr. Wayne L. Wold
Various Sessions
Wayne L. Wold is director of the Church Music Institute at Shenandoah Conservatory and serves as an adjunct associate professor of music at Shenandoah University; director of music at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland; professor emeritus at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland; and is an active composer, author, performer and clinician.
Week 1 Sample Schedule
Week 1 Schedule | Sunday, June 14, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 p.m. | Campus Housing Check-in | University Inn Lobby |
| 5:30 p.m. | Introductions & Dinner | Allen Dining Hall |
| 7 p.m. | Opening Worship | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
Week 1 Schedule | Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
| 8:30 a.m. | Morning Workshop with Discussion Time | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 9:15 a.m. | Sessions with Guest Clinician | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing | |
| 10:45 a.m. | Handbell Rehearsal with Heather Ankerbrand | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/Leaders | Allen Dining Hall |
| 1:15 p.m. | Sessions with Guest Clinician | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 2:30 p.m. | Break | |
| 3 p.m. | Breakout Sessions/Discussions Philosophy of Church Music and Other Topics | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 4 p.m. | Special Topics | Various Locations |
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner & Break | Allen Dining Hall |
| 6:40 p.m. | Travel to Off-campus Location | |
| 7 p.m. | Evening Event | Various Locations |
Week 1 Schedule | Friday, June 19, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
| 9 a.m. | Wrap-up Session with Guest Clinicians & Others | |
| 10 a.m. | Music Store Check-out & Worship Prep | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Closing Worship with Holy Communion SU Chaplain Rev. DeLyn Celec, Preaching & Presiding | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch & Farewell | Allen Dining Hall |
Week 2 Sample Schedule
Week 2 Schedule | Sunday, June 21, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 p.m. | Campus Housing Check-in | University Inn Lobby |
| 5:30 p.m. | Introductions & Dinner | Allen Dining Hall |
| 7 p.m. | Opening Worship | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
Week 2 Schedule | Monday, June 22 – Thursday, June 25, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
| 8:30 a.m. | Morning Workshop with Discussion Time | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 9:15 a.m. | Sessions with Guest Clinician | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break with Refreshments & Music Store Browsing | |
| 10:45 a.m. | Handbell Rehearsal with Heather Ankerbrand | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch & Prep Times for Worship Planners/Leaders | Allen Dining Hall |
| 1:15 p.m. | Sessions with Guest Clinician | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 2:30 p.m. | Break | |
| 3 p.m. | Breakout Sessions/Discussions Philosophy of Church Music & Other Topics | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 4 p.m. | Various Topics | Various Locations |
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner & Break | Allen Dining Hall |
| 6:40 p.m. | Travel to Off-campus Location | |
| 7 p.m. | Evening Event | Various Locations |
Week 2 Schedule | Friday, June 26, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Allen Dining Hall |
| 9 a.m. | Wrap-up Session with Guest Clinicians & Others | |
| 10 a.m. | Music Store Check-out & Worship Prep | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Closing Worship with Holy Communion SU Chaplain Rev. DeLyn Celec, Preaching & Presiding | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch & Farewell | Allen Dining Hall |
Schedule is subject to change.
Registration Information
Registration Opens in February 2027
Those wishing to register should contact Dr. Wold at wwold@su.edu for the appropriate course number(s). Visiting students with a valid SSN can enroll and pay online via Instant Enrollment (SSN is required). Shenandoah University students in a current degree program can enroll via Hornet Hub or by enrolling and paying via Instant Enrollment.*
*Students receiving financial aid must enroll via Hornet Hub. Students registering via Hornet Hub follow the scheduled due dates, drop dates, etc. All balances must be paid prior to the course start date.
Tuition
Tuition information will be available in February 2027.
Housing
Off-campus Housing
The Winchester area is home to numerous places of comfortable accommodation. Shenandoah University discounts are available at some area hotels.
On-campus Housing
On-campus housing is available for participants at the rate of $95 per night and includes meals. Note: If you are a current Shenandoah University student, contact Dr. Wold if you are seeking on-campus housing during this program for more information on how to have your student account charged.
Church Music Certificate
Shenandoah University offers a Church Music Certificate which requires attendance at three consecutive two-week summer sessions of CMI.
Refund Policy
Church Music Institute participants may cancel their registration up to 7 days prior to the event for an 80% refund. Contact Wayne L. Wold for more information.
Contact Us
Dr. Wayne L. Wold
Church Music Institute Director
Shenandoah Conservatory
cmi@su.edu