Music & Voice

“I love what SoW is all about – investing in the next generation of worshipers. Nate Sallie and Team are creating the environment where tomorrow’s artistic community has the chance to blossom and be nurtured – this is true ‘kingdom work.’”

Bernie Herms, Award-Winning Producer for Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns

Guitar & Bass

One-on-one instruction combining traditional methodology with modern teaching techniques, including interpretation of tablature, sight reading, rhythm, composition, and worship team training.

Voice

Vocal students at the SoW can choose their own worship songs, putting them in the driver’s seat of their musical development. They will also be strongly encouraged to sing in a variety of styles, rock and pop through classical, learning essential skills such as voice projection, the creation of a clear vocal tone and correct breathing techniques while gaining a greater understanding of melody in music.

Violin & Viola

String students will learn classical technique and instruction in a fun and dynamic environment. Improvisation techniques will be introduced as the student progresses, allowing them to play in a worship band setting. They will be taught scales, keys and sight reading.

Drums

SoW drum students will acquire all of the skills necessary to be a successful drummer in a worship band. Lessons will focus on rhythm, coordination and stick techniques as well as complex skills such as four-way coordination and poly-rhythms. There will also be an emphasis on ear training, through which students will learn to recognize drum patterns in popular music and other genres. Ultimately students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the drummer’s role in an ensemble and will be able to play with other musicians in a variety of styles.

Piano/Keyboard

The piano is a springboard for the study of all other instruments. On the piano, students learn to read notes simultaneously in two different clefs (treble and bass) while developing their sense of polyphony (hearing more than one sound at the same time). The piano is physically easy to play, making it possible for a student to make a good musical sound or combination of notes on the piano faster than on any other instrument. This reinforces the desire to learn. The keyboard configuration also facilitates the combination of aural and visual learning, helping the student to see, while they simultaneously hear, the relationships of notes, intervals and chords. Lastly, the simultaneous use of both hands on the keyboard helps develop left brain-right brain communication.

SoW Piano Approach

At the SoW we emphasize the fundamentals of good piano-playing while offering students a musical diet that includes many different styles such as classical, blues, worship and pop. This approach keeps students motivated. Students will learn important skills such as sight-reading, theory, chord harmonization, transposition, and improvisation.