A new conference for those involved in music and liturgical ministry, as well as anyone who enjoys music, will take place Sept. 15-16 at St. Monica Church in Santa Monica.

The "Leading With Passion! Worship Music Conference + Festival" begins Sept. 15 with a concert featuring performer-composer Jesse Manibusan. On Sept. 16, the conference begins with a morning keynote address by Msgr. Ray East of Washington, D.C., a frequent participant at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.

A day of workshops and performances will follow, conducted by leaders in the field of worship and music, including Marty Haugen, ValLimar Jansen, Mauricio Centeno, Gary Daigle, Anna Betancourt and John Flaherty. Throughout the day there will be live performances from participating churches featuring multicultural music, as well as opportunities for participants to network and fellowship.

"We've worked very hard to create a festival feel while providing quality content," said Cesar Marquez, director of Wings Music Ministry, the sponsor of the conference. "They'll also get a chance to share with each other, play and sing together, take home valuable resources, and experience new music or musical styles they may not already know."

To close the conference Saturday evening, many of the presenters will perform together in a Unity Concert along with pastoral singers and musicians from the region. A new composer showcase will feature new composers and present one composer with the Michael Vincent Guzman Scholarship Award.

The conference will include workshops in Spanish and workshops for high school youth. Cost is $45 for adults and $25 for high school youth. A catered lunch and refreshments are included. For more information, call (310) 393-9287 or visit www.wingsmusicministry.com.