Q: Is this school only for aspiring conductors?
A: No. This school is for aspiring leaders in any music ministry in the local church. This includes choir directors, worship leaders, and others involved in music leadership. Every student will take Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques, but the school is not limited to conductors only.
Q: Do I need to be a music leader to attend or can I join simply because I enjoy learning about music?
A: The purpose of this school is to equip and prepare students for leadership in music ministry. This is for current music leaders and those who want to become music leaders.
Q: Why should I apply to this school?
A: “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mat 9:37-38)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col 3:16)
Q: What can I do to prepare myself to be a student at the school?
A: If you are not already involved in a church ministry, get plugged in. Leaders are first faithful members who love the church and serve with humility. This will also tune your mind to the things you want to grow in during our time this summer. If you do not have a strong background in music reading, start exploring. Musictheory.net and many YouTube channels and websites have resources to familiarize yourself with some material beforehand.
Q: Is this the same school that SFG hosts every four years?
A: Yes
Q: What will a typical day look like at the school?
A: Students arrive at 8am for breakfast. Following breakfast will be prayer and worship. Classes begin at 9am with Music Theory and Aural Skills, then Conducting. After lunch, students will have time for personal devotions. The second half of the day includes book studies / Bible studies, Rehearsal Techniques (students work with the class choir), and choir rehearsal. There will be flexible times during the day when students will have voice and piano lessons, or use the time for studying and personal practice. Some days after dinner, students will have planned fellowship events with local youth, or are otherwise welcome to use the practice rooms.
Q: Will the school be visiting other local churches throughout the semester?
A: Yes
Q: If I don’t attend this year, when will my next opportunity to attend be?
A: In 4 years
Q: When is tuition due and what payment methods are acceptable?
A: Tuition is due by the first day of class (June 27th). Cash or check payable to “Slavic Pentecostal Church.”
Q: What is the age requirement to attend?
A: 16+
Q: Who are the teachers and why are they qualified to teach music?
A: Larysa Denysiuk has a Master’s degree in music theory and choral conducting. She is a member of the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church of Kiev, Ukraine, where she is the director of the church orchestra and choir. Since 1993, Larysa is on the music department faculty of various theological seminaries including: Ірпінська Біблійна семінарія, Київська Богословська семінарія, Музична Академія в Литві, Центр підготовки музичних місіонерів при місії "Світло на Сході.” Larysa has published several books of choral arrangements for use in churches, and was a lead teacher for the 2018 SFG Music School.
Taras Logvis is a high school choir director and music theory teacher in the Syracuse, NY area. Taras graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, summa cum laude. During his studies, he worked as a music theory and aural skills tutor, and grader for the theory department. Taras has served for several years as a pianist, choir director, orchestra director, arranger, and teacher in upstate NY churches. Taras has led music leadership classes in his local church, and served on the administration team for the 2018 SFG Music School.
Q: What language(s) will lessons be taught in? English? Ukrainian/Russian?
A: Music Theory and Aural Skills will be taught in English. Foundations of Music Ministry, Conducting, and Rehearsal Techniques will be taught in Ukrainian with translation into English. The remainder of the classes will be a mix of Ukrainian and English, with translation as needed.
Q: Will there be interviews conducted with applicants?
A: Yes. Once applications are submitted, we will contact the applicant for an interview.
Q: Can married couples attend SFG Music School?
A: Yes!
Q: Where will I live?
A: Students will be placed with a host family for the duration of the 6 weeks. These families are members of the local church.
Q: Will the students receive any type of certificate at the end of the semester?
A: Yes. Students will receive a diploma upon successful completion of the program.
Q: Is the entire school focused on musical content or will there be biblical lessons woven throughout?
A: Our goal is that each student will return to their home church with the skills to be a highly effective musician and spiritual leader in music ministry. In addition to music content, students study how scripture informs our music and worship today – and how to apply these values to Christ-centered worship in the church. These topics will be covered in our Foundations of Music Ministry course, as well as several book studies.