Choral Workshops

Dr. Bonner's choral workshops focus on the development of skills and attitudes conducive to effective worship.  They typically include a Friday evening session, all day Saturday, with a worship concert on Saturday night.  The event is enriched by the captivating readings of Dr. Patricia Bonner.  Singers report enhanced sight-reading, improved musical confidence, life-changing individual growth, and a better understanding of the choral unit in the church as well as the role of the conductor.



"I have studied with Dr.Bonner for over 17 years, and I continue to learn fresh and important things that are vital to the success of my ministry as a choral director and worship leader.  Not only is he a gifted musician with a keen insight into choral music, but he has the ability to draw people into his passion for music.  Plain and simple, people just like singing for him.  And his impact on singers doesn't fade, but there is there for me to capitalize on in the weeks to follow. 

On a practical note, not only did the size of our choir double after a recent workshop with Dr. Bonner, but our sight-reading and general musicality was equally raised.

After completing our second annual Choral Workshop with Dr. Bonner, I was still amazed as i watched him masterfully motivate and inspire over 450 singers through a day and a half workshop and then bring the event to an incredible finish with a glorious finale concert."
Sean Spurr, Christ's Church of the Valley, Peoria, AZ


"All around us mediocrity and the 'comfortable average' is accepted as the norm.  Dr. Bonner's striving call rings out in contrast to this.  Through the vehicle of the Choral Workshops, whole choirs at a time, all across the country, are being energized and inspired to pursue excellence and are experiencing church music ministry in a whole new and exciting way.  Wouldn't you love this to happen to your choir?"
Lance Gaskill, Highpoint Wesleyan Church, Highpoint, NC


"The choir workshop was so much more than expected. It was very challenging and it was also emotional and spiritual. "Challenging", I would expect, but emotional and spiritual from a "workshop", this was a surprise!"
Steve Anderson, Reno, CA, workshop participant


"Our choral workshop with Dr. Bonner was an incredible time of learning, stretching, and worshipping. The Lord used Dr. Bonner in wonderful ways as he challenged our choirs to go further than ever in their quest for excellence in service to God. I believe that Dr. Bonner's work with us renewed the vision and excitement of our people for leading worship through choral music." 
Brad Klassen, Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC, Canada

"Whether I travel to attend, or my home church is host, Dr. Bonner's workshop is an eagerly anticipated annual tradition.  Dr. Pat Bonner's readings/quotations of stories/scripture bring new and deeper insight to the music.  Every person involved in choral music should be attending Dr. Bonner's workshops because the workshops are about more than the music.  They're about fellowship and friendship; they're about teaching, learning, sharing, caring, and connecting; they're about loving and trusting and worship.  They feed and touch my soul."
Nikki Macraild, Kelowna, B.C., workshop participant


"Hosting last year's choral workshop with Dr. Bonner was one of the highlights of our choir year. Not only did my choir and I grow musically, but also spiritually, and with renewed enthusiasm and dedication to serving the Lord through music in the church."
Ron Zell, Trinity Lutheran Church, Ventura, CA

For additional information on Choral Workshops,  contact 
THE BONNERINSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CHORAL MUSIC
817 Kilnaleck Lane
Glendora, CA, 91741
626-852-9105
gbonner@bonnermusic.org.

Upcoming Choral Workshops
September 2008 - June 2009

Date  Location  Host 
September 19 - 20, 2008
Fallbrook Chorale
Fallbrook United Methodist Church
1844 Winterhaven Rd.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Patrick Hathaway
760-476-3833
760-213-8370
September 26 - 27, 2008
Temple Baptist Church
801 S. Lower Sacramento Rd.
Lodi, CA 95242
Grant Goins
209-369-1948
October 24 - 27, 2008

Seattle
Alderwood Community Church
3403 Alderwood Mall Blvd.
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Barbara Irish
424-644-2811 OR
Bayard DuBois
425-226-7586
January 9 - 10, 2009
Centre Street Church
4120 Centre Street North
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2 E2 Y7
Becky Timmons
January 30 - 31, 2009
First Nazarene Church
2734 S. Washington St.
Kokomo, IN 46902
Liz Robinson
765-453-7078
February 6 - 7, 2009
Southern California, TBA



© 2000 The Bonner Institute for the Advancement of Choral Music. All rights reserved.
gbonner@bonnermusic.com    626-852-9105