CLEF Ensemble Workshops | Music Workshops for Liturgy

About CLEF Ensemble Workshops

Ensemble music workshops for parish musicians

CLEF Ensemble Workshops are two-day music workshops designed to help vocalists and instrumentalists improve their ensemble musicianship. Typically held Friday and Saturday, these in-person experiences provide practical skill-building that can be applied immediately in parish ministry.

Created by ensemble musicians for ensemble musicians, CLEF Ensemble Workshops offer a shorter, accessible alternative to a week-long program while still providing meaningful skill development and community connection for those serving the Church through ensemble music.

Music workshops rooted in real parish life

CLEF Ensemble Workshops are grounded in the lived reality of parish music ministry. Participants arrive with a wide range of experiences: volunteers and paid musicians, seasoned leaders and young adults, and musicians serving in both small rural parishes and large urban communities.

What unites everyone is a shared commitment to serving the liturgy well through ensemble music.

Training

Through large and small group sessions, the workshop offers training that is customized to the unique needs of vocalists and instrumentalists in an ensemble setting.

Prayer & Reflection

Prayer is an important part of who we are as liturgical ensemble musicians, and each workshop includes opportunities for prayer and reflection to deepen our connection to God.

Community

Ensemble workshops offer a great opportunity to connect with local liturgical musicians, in addition to connecting with the broader CLEF community.

Who should attend a CLEF Ensemble Workshop?

If you are an ensemble musician — whether a director, singer, guitarist, pianist, percussionist, or you play a wind or string instrument — you are welcome at our CLEF Ensemble Workshops.

These music workshops are designed for:

Instrumentalists and vocalists
Paid and volunteer musicians
Musicians of all skill levels
Directors and ensemble members
Liturgists and clergy who work closely with music ministry
Young adults and college-age musicians serving in campus or parish ministry

Whether you are new to ensemble music or have years of experience, CLEF Ensemble Workshops meet you where you are and support continued growth in both musicianship and liturgical knowledge.

What does the workshop schedule include?

CLEF Ensemble Workshops are typically a two-day experience with a clear focus on improving ensemble musicianship.

The workshop agenda includes:

Separate vocal and instrumental sessions focused on skill development
Combined ensemble sessions to improve ensemble musicianship
Instruction on listening, balance, and collaboration
Conversation around how ensemble music supports the liturgy
Opportunities for reflection and connection with fellow musicians

By working on the same repertoire together, participants learn not only from faculty, but also from one another. The shared experience mirrors real parish ensemble settings and helps musicians better understand how their individual role fits into the larger musical whole.

Learning that carries into the liturgy

What participants learn during the workshop extends beyond our time together. One of the defining features of CLEF Ensemble Workshops is their emphasis on immediate application. These music workshops are designed to support musicians in their personal skill development and provide practical takeaways that can impact others in their ensemble.

Participants leave with:

Sessions also acknowledge the realities of parish life: limited rehearsal time, diverse perspectives, and balancing music ministry with other responsibilities. Our faculty members understand the unique needs of ensemble musicians and have decades of experience in parish settings.

Community built through shared learning

While CLEF Ensemble Workshops are short, the sense of connection formed during the two days is meaningful. Musicians often arrive feeling isolated in their ministry and leave encouraged by the shared experience of learning alongside others who understand the challenges that sometimes exist in liturgical ensemble music.

These music workshops foster collaboration, support, and renewed energy for ministry. Many participants continue their connection through CLEF’s online resources and future programs.

Upcoming CLEF Ensemble Workshops

CLEF Ensemble Workshops are held in different locations throughout the year. Upcoming workshops in 2026 include:

Each workshop is hosted in partnership with a local parish or diocesan community and led by experienced faculty passionate about ensemble music and liturgy.

What participants are saying

CLEF Ensemble Workshops provide two days of hands-on learning for vocalists and instrumentalists. See what past participants have said about the workshops.

"Great opportunity to learn from excellent faculty. Great networking opportunity and chance for practice and feedback."

"The CLEF workshop enables you to grow as a musician, understand how your talents for music apply as a ministry, and work together across vocalists and instrumentalists to bring glory to God in our liturgy."

"If you want to be musically inspired and learn how to deepen your musical spirituality, come to the CLEF workshop!"

"Insights, insights, insights! Not to mention contacts within the broader local ministry community."

Join a CLEF Ensemble Workshop

If you are looking for opportunities to strengthen your vocal or instrumental skills and improve your ensemble musicianship, a CLEF Ensemble Workshop is a great option. Join our email list to receive updates about upcoming workshops!

Frequently asked questions

Have a question that isn’t answered below? Contact our team.

I’m a volunteer musician with no formal training. Is this workshop for me?

Yes, absolutely! CLEF welcomes musicians of all skill levels at all of our programs. Many participants are volunteers with limited formal training, and our faculty members customize their teaching to the skill level of the group as needed.

I’m not a musician, but I work with musicians in our parish. Does it make sense for me to attend?

While most participants are vocalists or instrumentalists, we also welcome liturgists and clergy who work with music ministry in their communities. While we focus primarily on ensemble music skills, we also discuss the role of music in liturgy and other relevant topics. When liturgists and clergy attend the program, it enriches discussions and strengthens collaboration.

Is the program appropriate for young adults?

Yes, though we do require that all attendees be at least 18 years old to attend. Attending a CLEF Ensemble Workshop can help connect young adults in music ministry to others in their area and in the greater CLEF community.

What styles of liturgical music are covered?

Our workshops focus on ensemble musicianship skills and the principles of liturgical music rather than specific styles. Songs are typically chosen from OCP, GIA, and other liturgical music publishers, and we look for songs that have multiple vocal parts and options for additional instrumentation.

How are these workshops different from the CLEF Summer Program?

CLEF Ensemble Workshops are shorter, two-day music workshops focused specifically on ensemble musicianship. They offer a more accessible option for those unable to attend a week-long program. There’s value in attending both!

Will I receive music in advance?

We send a digital version of the program book with all music a week or two prior to the workshop. We do not expect participants to review the music or practice ahead of time, though they are certainly welcome to do so if it will enhance their learning experience at the workshop.

How can I host a CLEF Ensemble Workshop at my parish or diocese?

We would love to chat with you about hosting a CLEF Ensemble Workshop in your area. We typically begin working with local committees a year in advance of their workshop dates to allow adequate time for customizing the program, securing faculty, and promoting the event. Contact our team [LW1] to start discussing the options.