Summer greetings!
 
During these summer months, it is my hope and prayer that you are able to gain respite and renewal before the hustle and bustle of fall activities. For me, I enjoy attending conferences in the summer to learn, catch up with friends, and be inspired. If you have not registered for the ALCM Biennial Conference in Minneapolis, July 10-13, please consider registering now. And, for those that are attending the Biennial Conference, I invite you to consider learning and sharing your Lutheran presence at other conferences organized by the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists, the Choristers Guild Institute, etc.
 
Although it can be intimidating to take all that is learned at conferences back to our home churches, I encourage you to implement at least one new thing this coming fall and something new this coming spring. While attending a conference a few years ago, I remember the headliner clinician finishing his session and then at some point coming into the audience to sit down and take notes from the next speaker. This man, the great Weston Noble, was in his 80s at the time but still wanting to learn from others. Blessings to you this summer as you gain knowledge, rest and relax with friends and family, and are inspired.
 
Mitch Rorick, At-Large Officer
Region 1, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
News From Our Members

VU Student Hannah Koby to Intern at Wittenberg's Castle Church
 
This summer, Hannah Koby, an organ/church music student at Valparaiso University, is serving as Church Music Intern at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, where she will be working with co-cantors Thomas and Sarah Herzer. Her duties include playing worship services for English Ministries and German-language services, playing four mid-day recitals over the summer, and otherwise helping with all aspects of the music ministry at the Castle Church.

This opportunity came about over the past year because of the extra visitors and services expected with the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Hannah was able to travel to Wittenberg to meet the Herzers last summer while she was in Germany for an exchange semester.


Lutheran middle school choir lives the answer to the question: 
How does one get to Carnegie Hall?

On Sunday, January 15, 2017, 44 members of Dr. Scott Hyslop's Middle School Choir from St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan had the honor of participating in the North American premiere of British composer Sir Karl Jenkins new work entitled Cantata Memoria: For the Children of Aberfan at Carnegie Hall, NYC. The choral forces of 200 adults and 66 young adults was joined by four vocal soloists and symphonic orchestra. In addition to the New York adventure, the full choir of 88 members presented a concert for the national conference of the Lutheran Education Association last October in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What a wonderful opportunities for these middle schoolers! Dr. Hyslop serves as Director of Parish Music at Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church and School in Frankenmuth, Michigan. 

Regional Events Coming Your Way

Reformation Anniversary Event in Newark, Delaware
 
On Saturday, 7 October 2017, the Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will mark the 2017 Reformation anniversary with a morning event at  Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 701 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware. The program begins with morning prayer using chants and hymns that would have been known in Luther's Wittenberg both before and after 1517. Following morning prayer, ALCM member Chad Fothergill will offer remarks about what the Reformation means for church musicians of all denominations, both in 2017 and beyond. The event concludes with a hymn festival, "Singing Our Way Together," led by chapter members and friends. To receive a detailed schedule or for more information, please write to  [email protected].
 
 
Reformation-Themed Hymn Festivals to Be Presented by Wayne Wold
 
ALCM Member Wayne Wold will be presenting a series of Reformation-themed hymn festivals this fall.  
  • Sunday, September 24, 4 p.m. St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Road, Annapolis MD 21403 
  • Sunday, October 1, 4 p.m. First Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City MD 21043 
  • Sunday, October 8, 3 p.m. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1415 W. 7th Street, Frederick MD 21702 
  • Sunday, October 29, 3 or 4 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742
Welcome to New and Reinstated
Region 1 Members Who Have Joined Recently

David Almond, New London, NH
Richard Brode, New York, NY
Brian Burns, Pearl River, NY
Jeffrey Dexter, Wooster, OH
Michael Dierks, Stockholm, Sweden
Adam Hanks, Charlton, MA
Michael Joseph, Nashua, NH
Philip Klintworth, Saline, MI
Nicholas Martellacci, Brooklyn, NY
Rev. Jaye S. Newbold, Port Murray, NJ
Thomas A. Notestine, Camp Hill, PA
David Reier, Sunbury, PA
Becky Swanson, Columbus, OH
Deanna Witkowski, New York, NY


2018 Local Workshops
 
As we move into the fall of 2017, look for more information about numerous ALCM local workshops that will be held in the region in 2018. These one-day events will include presentations and workshops on various topics related to church music. 

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Keep sending your news! If you would like to share with the regional membership a noteworthy event in your area, please email Jennifer Baker-Trinity, President, at [email protected].