BIG EVENT 2007 WORSHIP LEADER
Warren Cooper
Warren
is a native of Philadelphia, PA, USA who has been a professional musician
since the age of 9. He was raised and nurtured in Berean Presbyterian Church
as the son of its pastor – singing in, playing for and later directing three
of the church's five choirs. Warren grew up ‘in church' and ‘in jazz' - sneaking
off as a child to hear and participate in live jazz jam sessions
on Saturday night, then singing hymns, choral cantatas, and gospel songs in
the choir on Sunday morning.
Having studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and with many of the Masters of Classical, Sacred & Jazz Composition and Performance, Warren has emerged as a trend-setting pioneer within the genres of Jazz Worship and Sacred Jazz Music. As an arranger, composer, director, performer and producer (with a host of CD's, hundreds of songs and thousands of hours of studio experience to his credit) “…he is an innovator who has taken significant strides in the fusion of Gospel and Jazz Music…making all things new, and raising the bar in Vocal Jazz and Praise Performance…” (Philadelphia Tribune, 2001).
In his continuing career of significant service on the local, regional and national levels of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Warren recently celebrated his 1 st anniversary as Convening Minister of Music for Broad Street Ministry (an Arts-focused Mission Outreach Ministry on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA). He also continues to serve as a Consultant for a variety of Parrish and Para-Church Ministry Initiatives nationally. Warren is the founder of the Balm In Gilead Jazz Worship Series , born at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA, where he also serves as an Elder, Music Minister, Choir Master and Young Adult Ministry Leader. He is also the founding host and producer of the Gospel Music Radio Program Ovations , airing Sunday mornings from 6:00a – 9:00a EST on Temple Public Radio Network ( www.wrti.org , 90.1 FM in Philadelphia). The radio show celebrated its 12 th anniversary in July 2006.
From a music performance perspective, Warren ministers nationally in both the Sacred and Secular Jazz Performance idioms. He is the featured vocalist and music director for a number of ensembles, including Phases of Praises (P.O.P.) , The Alexander/Cooper Project , The Critical Mass Choir and The Presbybop Quartet . As a Worship and Vocal Specialist, he also conducts Choral Workshops and Worship Development Seminars that explore the practical integration of Jazz, Contemporary and Transformational Aspects of Worship into traditional frames.
“In these ‘last days' we must fully explore every available option within the disciplines of worship, praise and evangelism – making the opportunity to consider and receive the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ widely and readily accessible to the hearts that will hear.In doing so we must consciously connect the Principle of that Message with the relevant realities of Social Justice, Civic Accountability and Spiritual Transformation. It is only then that our Faith becomes tangible and our Works become relevant. All Art then must speak to these things, as It responds to Christ's Commission and Brings Healing to Life.” Warren Cooper
Warren's Workshop at the Big Event 2007:
Afternoon Workshop 12B:
The Matter of Music in Worshop This workshop will explore three points of focus: A cursory examination of the elements of Music in Worship - their place, their function and their substance; a discussion of the options available within those elements, and of the optimum mindset for those seeking to achieve "Innovation" in Worship; and a presentation of both resources and potential models for local congregational implementation.