Do you feel like you have enough support as a primary music leader? Or are you at the stake level looking to provide helpful information to your primary music leaders? This 2023 singing time workshop is aimed to make you feel more prepared as a primary music leader! And also give ideas for stake leaders leading creating a stake singing time workshop.
I have taught stake workshops a few times but I’ll be honest, they aren’t my favorite. I enjoy typing away in the comforts of my home office ;). It takes a lot of time and energy away from my family to put on workshops. Besides, I am able to reach such a broader audience through my little corner of the internet.
So I created this “virtual” primary music workshop. You can work through the various sections at your own pace and your own time! If you have questions, leave a comment as I’d love to respond!
Available to download is a 2023 Singing Time Primary Music handout that follows the information presented below. However, there is WAY more information linked below that I could ever put in a handout. So for the sake of space, I’ve condensed the handout considerably.
Access my printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
So let’s delve right in with my 2023 Singing Time Primary Music Workshop!
How to Teach a Song
I can’t tell you how often this question is asked, “How do you teach a primary song?” This basic concept can be really daunting but once you understand the process, it’s really simple!
I have a post HERE that goes all in to detail, including a video. I’ve linked the video here for your convenience:
But here’s a quick summary of that post and video:
- You are the most important tool in teaching the kids! Not the props you bring, not your lesson plan and not even your musical capabilities. Only YOU and your attitude you bring to primary!
- The only way for children to learn a song is to hear it over and over again. Get creative and repeat as differently as I can so neither they (nor I) get bored.
- Bear your testimony. It doesn’t need to (and probably should’t) be elaborate. Try to leave one minute at the end of your allotted time to reinforce the meaning of the song. This is all it takes to bear your testimony of its message. After all, our main focus isn’t learning songs. It’s learning doctrine and feeling the spirit through music.
- Involve the Lord. You were called for a reason, and if you hang in the calling long enough (I suggest at least 3 months), you may find out why.
Stay Organized
I have an entire Singing Time Organization Series to help Primary Music Leaders stay organized in singing time! If you want to be successful, you need a plan. Even if it’s a simple map of the year with what songs you and the primary presidency plan to teach.
I HIGHLY suggest reading through all of my Singing Time Organization Series posts HERE.
Singing Time Organization Series includes:
- Singing Time Schedule
- Singing Time Binder
- A Monthly Routine
- Filing
- More!
Singing Time Resources
There are SO many resources for singing time! Some you may or may not be familiar with! Here are a few of my favorites:
Music for Singing Time
This is probably the most important information to help you with singing time! This is a basic outline of what should be taught in singing time put out by the church. Check out my post HERE with all the 2023 Music for Singing Time information!
Don’t forget to share this list of music primary kids! Give them a them a 2023 Digital Playlist! I have more details on how I do that with our primary HERE.
Conducting Course
If you are looking for help with basic music, the church has a Conducting Course. Find more details on this course HERE.
A Children's Songbook Companion
This book by sister Pat Graham (who helped put together the Children’s Songbook) is a wonderful resource that has been through church correlation but not published by the church.
When I’m drawing a blank on coming up with a lesson plan idea, this is a go-to for me! It’s now available to download (completely free) HERE.
Primary Music Leaders FB Group
If you aren’t part of this Facebook group, you are missing out! So many wonderful ideas, thoughts, troubles, you name it are presented in this group!
This post HERE contains more details but you can easily search it out on Facebook. It’s named Latter-day Saint Primary Music Leaders. I highly recommend you join today!
The Board
Yes, I’m talking about the good ol’ chalkboard or white board! This valuable tool is often underrated! You can tweak almost any activity to only involve the board. I have an entire post dedicated to getting the most out of your board HERE.
New Music Leaders Tab
Yes, I’m tooting my own horn here! But my “New music Leaders” tab at the top of my website (or find it HERE) provides TONS of helpful information. Lots of it I’ve already linked here.
It contains information that I deem the most helpful for NEW (and old!) Primary Music Leaders. I constantly update it so if you’ve read it before, you may want to check it again for updates!
Suggested Singing Time Supplies
Even the greatest primary music leader uses a few props now and then! I have a list HERE of my top 9 favorite singing time props to purchase. These are my favorite because they are the most versatile!
This list includes:
- The Gospel Art Book
- Handbells
- Music Bag Starter Kit
- Ribbon Wands (also included in the kit above)
- Scarves
- A Children’s Songbook Companion (mentioned earlier)
- Laminators
- Magnets
- Caddy
Common Issues
Let’s face it – singing time is hard! But we all face similar troubles. Here are just a few of them I have addressed throughout my website:
Reverence in Singing Time
If your primary struggles (occasionally or all the time), know you are not alone! Check out my posts HERE that center all around maintaining reverence in singing time.
Singing Time Substitute
As great as we are, the Primary Music Leader occasionally has to be absent. Check out ideas for getting a sub HERE.
I have so many more posts that you can scroll through HERE on other common issues in singing time.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment! I absolutely love singing time and am here to help any way I can!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Category Title > Stake Workshop.
