Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
August 1, 2017 e-newsletter

Greetings!
 
My term as past-president was completed at the biennial conference in July, so this is my swan song. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve ALCM. I love this organization, its members, and all we strive to do. I leave you with two final reflections.
 
The first is in regards to our identity as a pan-Lutheran organization. ALCM is one of only a handful of groups that can promote itself as truly pan-Lutheran. We look to the things we hold in common and move forward, stronger together. I believe that if healing is to take place between the various Lutheran church bodies, it may very well take root through music and musicians.
 
The second reflection is about our vocation as church musicians. Our work is not always easy. There are times when we feel discouraged, under-appreciated, over-worked, perhaps isolated, wondering if anybody even notices what we're trying to do. Yet . . . take heart! Know that your work is important and life-giving to the church and to the world. The Holy Spirit is working through you to make a difference in the lives of others. You are not alone; your ALCM colleagues are here to support and encourage you.
 
I close by quoting the ALCM poster, "The Role of the Cantor":
 
When Christ's people, the baptized, gather for worship
They receive God's love in word and sacrament,
And through the gift of music,
Pray, praise, proclaim and recount the story of God's grace in song.
 
The cantor's work is a worthy service to God, God's people, and the world.
It is a high and holy calling.
 
Anne Krentz Organ

Thanks to the many people who worked together to produce what was a truly wonderful conference in Minneapolis. For those who are interested, worship folders, handouts and other materials from the conference are available for viewing. These materials will remain in the unrestricted portion of the website until our new website goes live. At that time, the materials will be moved into the members area of the website, where they will continue to be available to ALCM members.

In memoriam

Below are listed the names of ALCM members and others involved with ALCM who died since the last ALCM biennial conference in 2015. These people were remembered during the closing worship at the 2017 biennial conference in Minneapolis.
 
J. Bert Carlson
Gerhard Cartford
Rev. Loren Espeland
Elizabeth Ann Farrington
Michael Flanagan
David Hearn
Richard Heschke
Daniel Howe
Marie Jones
Stephen G. Nelson
Randall R. Rice
Caroline Rimbach
Noël Schalk
John Ylvisaker


ALCM Board Meeting at the Conference

Over lunch following worship at the close of the biennial conference, the board welcomed executive director Jim Rindelaub to his first face-to-face meeting. His report centered around his daily work for the organization, especially fund-raising plans, both short- and long-term. We also welcomed Omaldo Perez, who is filling out Mike Krentz's Director at Large term as Mike moves into the Secretary/Treasurer position. Mike agreed to fill the last two years of that position, vacated by Kevin Barger, who moved into the President-Elect position. These moves were sanctioned by the board through a successful motion, per our bylaws, to take effect immediately following the conference. 
 
We heard reports from two church bodies, the ELCIC (Don Nevile) and the ELCA (John Weit). William Weedon (LCMS) and Bryan Gerlach (WELS) were unable to join us, but sent their greetings.
 
Each board member shared a favorite moment from the Minneapolis conference with conference chair, Craig Mueller. It was moved that we officially thank the 2017 conference committee for an excellent conference! We also welcomed the project manager for the 2018 mini-conferences, Scott Weidler, who updated us on progress in scheduling those; and Tod Trimble, 2019 conference chair, who came with questions and early plans for the biennial in Portland, Oregon.
 
Finally, we had some much-needed discussion regarding future nominations to the board and to regional offices, and ALCM's aspirations to have the board and regional leadership consistently reflect the diversity of ethnicity, gender, and church bodies in our organization. This is important as nominating committees begin their processes leading up to the elections next year. 
 
Finally we said goodbye to our wonderful leader, Anne Krentz Organ, and wished her all the best as she cycles off the board. She will be missed greatly. Our next phone meeting is in September, and our next face-to-face meeting is in January.
Notes from the Biennial Meeting of the Association

As per the ALCM constitution/bylaws, a meeting of the association was held during the biennial conference in Minneapolis. Here are a few highlights:
  • We thanked our sister organization, Lutheran Arts, for the generous gift of five sabbaticals that were awarded by drawings throughout the conference. 
  • We heard plans for 2018 one-day events that will be held in more than 40 locations throughout the year.
  • We announced that the 2019 conference will be held in Portland, Oregon. Dates and theme to be forthcoming.
  • We welcomed Jim Rindelaub as our executive director, and we heard a report from Jim that highlighted membership growth as well as his vision of growing the organization.
  • We thanked Anne Krentz Organ for her years of service as president.
  • We received congratulations, gratitude, and a challenge from our development committee to continue with energy our high level of giving, so that ALCM can continue providing quality services to its members and the whole church.
  • Erik Meyer was awarded the Raabe Prize.
  • Philip Biedenbender was awarded the Hillert Award in Student Composition.
  • Mark Bangert and Gail Ramshaw received the Faithful Servant Award.


National Lutheran Choir to premiere 
Holy Spirit Mass this fall!

In commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, Holy Spirit Mass, by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen, celebrates the common ground shared by all people of God. It is composed in honor of 50 years of dialogue in good faith between the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches. 
 
Join the National Lutheran Choir for this exciting world premiere of a major choral-instrumental work in Washington D.C., or in Minneapolis & St. Paul. If you can't join us in person, be sure to enjoy the live concert stream from the comfort of your own home on October 22nd at 7pm EST at NLCA.com! Learn more about the story behind this exciting new choral work: http://bit.ly/HSM-DC
 
Sunday, October 22, 2017 - 7pm
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington DC
FREE, RSVP requested: http://bit.ly/HSMTixDC

Friday, October 27, 2017 - 8pm
Basilica of Saint Mary
Minneapolis, MN 

Sunday, October 29, 2017 - 4pm
Ordway Concert Hall
St Paul, MN 

More information visit NLCA.com.

54-rank Casavant - Létourneau pipe organ for sale with 
10-year warranty: $949,000
 
Orgues Létourneau is offering a 50-stop rebuilt pipe organ in like-new condition for USD$949,000. The core is Casavant's Opus 2518 from 1959 with electro-pneumatic wind chests; the revised specification can incorporate up to sixteen new stops built by Létourneau. Installation costs, on-site voicing, an allowance for casework in red oak, a rebuilt three-manual solid-state console, and a ten-year warranty are included. Transportation from Québec is not included. This organ requires approximately 570 sq. ft. with 20' ceiling for 16' ranks.  For more details, visit our website, 
e-mail [email protected] or call Andrew Forrest at 450-774-2698. 

Back Issues of Pastoral Music Available Online

 
The National Association of Pastoral Musicians is providing free access to the first thirty-six volumes of Pastoral Music, extending from October-November 1976 through September 2012. Each issue of the magazine is posted here in PDF format for the use of pastoral musicians and others doing research on liturgical and musical issues.

Thanks to our sister organization for making this issues available free of charge!
 


Throughout 2018, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is inviting musicians to gather in small groups at local congregations for practical workshops on specific topics led by a skilled practitioner. These workshops are for musicians in congregations of all sizes and contexts, each with their own challenges and opportunities. Details for an event near you and across the continent will be available by mid-autumn. Stay tuned for details!  
Allen Organ for Sale

In-home practice organ, two manual, full pedal board (AGO specifications). Protégé model. Approximately 10 years old, in pristine condition. Asking $13,000. Available after Labor Day. For more information, contact Lois DeWell at 906-226-3263. 
J. F. Nordlie Pipe Organ for Sale