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


Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! I pray that these words of assurance and truth ring true for us and resound with renewed vigor and boldness as we celebrate our Lord's resurrection and ascension during this joyful Eastertide!
 
If you are like me, you are probably looking forward to the slightly slower pace of summer that comes with the ending of the festival half of the church year and the end of the academic year. It is a great time for rest that comes with the change of pace, but also for continuing education and the sense of rejuvenation that follows. If you haven't done so already, consider joining ALCM this July at our conference in Minneapolis. What a marvelous opportunity to learn, grow, and become re-energized for the next year. I hope to see you there!
 
Peace-
Jeffrey Blersch
Director at Large


Welcome to New ALCM Executive Director
Jim Rindelaub!

ALCM's new executive director Jim Rindelaub began his work at ALCM on April 24th with a trip to the Valparaiso office and attendance at Valparaiso University's Institute of Liturgical Studies. The conference provided a wonderful venue for Jim to meet the many ALCM members in attendance and to introduce ALCM to the non-members.

When not travelling on ALCM's behalf, Jim will be working out of his home in Satellite Beach, Florida. You can contact Jim via email at [email protected] or by phone at 219-238-6778.

Please join the ALCM board of directors in welcoming Jim to his new position as executive director!


Imagine what the singing will be like with a room full of ALCM members singing hymns. Add to them the National Lutheran Choir with their Artistic Director David Cherwien at the organ, plus the thoughtful reflections of Susan Palo Cherwien, and it becomes a unique experience not to be missed! Hymns and choral music ancient and new take us on a journey as we sing music representing the church of various times and places inspired by the Holy Spirit to remember, savor, and to remain connected into the future. "Rise, Remember Well the Future" is the theme both of the ALCM conference and of this unique hymn festival. The hymn festival will be held at St. Olaf Catholic Church, Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Conference attendees receive a ticket with their registration. The hymn festival is open to the public. Additional tickets are $20 and are available at the door.



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. 

New ALCM Publications

The spring 2017 issue of  CrossAccent  includes an article by Lorraine Brugh regarding a study she did with her university chapel choir to determine the effects of communal singing on their well-being. You can view the actual survey instrument here.

Thanks to the University of Notre Dame for sponsoring t his  y ear's membership directory. The organ that appears on the directory cover is one of two Fritts organs at the university. For more information about the sacred music program at the University of Notre Dame, go to sacredmusic.nd.edu .
J. F. Nordlie Pipe Organ for Sale


Hymn Text Competition
2017 Utech Hymnody Symposium and Festival
Eastman School of Music
 
The Organ, Sacred Music, and Historical Keyboards Department at the Eastman School of Music is pleased to announce a competition for a new hymn text. The winning text will be included in the program of our biennial Utech Hymnody Symposium and Festival, which will be held at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York on November 17-18, 2017. This year's symposium and festival will feature guest lecturer Paul Westermeyer and guest organist Bruce Neswick. More information. . .

Bach for the Ages: A Generation Sensation

Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with Lutheran Summer Music! Join the LSM Chapel Choir, Festival Orchestra, and professional soloists under the direction of Dr. Paul D. Weber  for our first Bach Cantata weekend retreat for adult singers. We will be singing BWV 80, "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott."

When: July 13-16, 2017
Where: Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Cost: $225* (includes on-campus meals, t-shirt, audio recording, and choral score)

For a full schedule of events or to register online, please visit our website: www.lutheranmusicprogram.org/news. 

*Does not include housing. Please make reservations at one of the two following places:

Country Inn & Suites
2020 LaPorte Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-476-0000 / $89/room
Deadline: June 12, 2017

Quality Inn & Suites
2301 E Morthland Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-465-1700 / $94/room
Deadline: June 28, 2017
 

ELCA South Dakota Synod
Choral Composition Competition

Call for Scores - Deadline: July 25, 2017
 
The South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (SD-ELCA) is sponsoring a Choral Composition Competition in conjunction with the Lutheran Church's worldwide commemoration of its 500th anniversary. It is intended that the winning compositions will be included in a community commemorative service that will take place on November 1, 2017, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
 
The SD-ELCA Choral Composition Competition will award two winning compositions from two pools of submissions:  

1.   Open to all composers with no age restriction. Prize: $1000

2.   Open to composers 25 years of age and younger as of July 25, 2017. Prize $500


 

Complete guidelines