2026 WELS Directors Dialogue
General Information
Choral Director’s Dialogue
Tacoma & Seattle, Washington
Hosted at Evergreen Lutheran High School
Tuesday, July 14 – Friday, July 17
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Posted 6.24.26)
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Mt. Rainier National Park Excursion
📍 Mount Rainier National Park
Participants joining this excursion should plan to arrive Monday evening.
Scenic drive and visitor center stops
Hiking options (weather/ability dependent):
Skyline Trail (Paradise) – 5.5-mile loop
Mount Fremont Lookout (Sunrise) – 5.6-mile round trip
Grove of the Patriarchs – easy boardwalk walk
Reflection Lakes stop
Picnic dinner
Attire: Athletic clothing, hiking shoes, layers, light rain jacket
Friday, July 17, 2026
Final Sessions
8:15-9:30am: Dialogue #6
9:30-10:05am: Favorites (2)
10:05-10:15am: Break
10:15-10:45am: Open Dialogue continued as needed
10:45-11:15am: Sharing/around the table final thoughts, etc.
11:20am: Closing devotion
11:40am: Grab lunch to go – leftovers? (or eat there for those who can), airport runs
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Dialogue Sessions – Evergreen Lutheran High School
8:00am: Arrive, get situated, welcome
8:15am: Opening devotion
8:30-9:45am: Dialogue #1
9:45-10:20am: Favorites (2)
10:20-10:30am: Break
10:30-11:45am: Dialogue #2
11:45am-12:45pm: Lunch – Taco bar
12:45-1:40pm: Favorites (3)
1:40-2:55pm: Dialogue #3
2:55-3:20pm: Break
3:20-4:15pm: Favorites (3)
4:15-5:15pm: Open Dialogue
5:15-5:45pm: Compline
6:15pm: Dinner at My 4 Sons BBQ
General Notes
Spouses are welcome for all meals and activities
Flat registration fee applies for attendees and spouses
Events are designed for adults; not geared toward children
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Dialogue Sessions – Evergreen Lutheran High School
8:00am: Devotion
8:15-8:50am: Favorites (2)
8:50-10:05am: Dialogue #4
10:05-10:15am: Break
10:15-11:30am: Dialogue #5
11:30am-12:00pm: Lunch – Pizza
12:00pm: Depart for Seattle
1:00-5:00pm: Afternoon in Seattle
6:00pm: Dinner at Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Optional Activities Before/After Dialogue
For those extending their stay:
Day trip to Olympia or Gig Harbor
Additional hiking in the Cascade foothills
Whale-watching tours from the Puget Sound region
Winery or brewery visits in the Tacoma/Seattle area
Optional Activities for Spouses During Sessions
Tacoma Area
Point Defiance Park (gardens, waterfront walks, zoo)
Shopping and cafes in Proctor District
Seattle (Self-Guided)
Waterfront walking paths and coffee shops
Attendee Information
Registration
Please complete your registration by
date.
Dialogue Topics
Imposter syndrome
Music/AV storage/music classroom equipment
Incorporating individual singing instruction into rehearsal time
Accompanists: student, paid, MIDI, etc.
Vocal, physical, and mental health for the working music professional
AI for the busy choir director
Handouts
Please reference all of the handouts for the 2026 Directors Dialogue
