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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
October 1, 2023 e-newsletter
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Greeting from Board Member Wallace Horton | |
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Dear ALCM Friends,
I had the blessing of attending eight years of Lutheran parochial school and singing in the various children and youth choirs many, many years ago. My sixth-grade teacher was also the choir director and organist in our congregation. He would always say to us, “Remember, you are all Ministers of Music.” I never forgot those words and have often shared them with the various choirs of all ages that I have directed over the past 50 plus years in ministry. Whether you conduct, sing, or play, you are a Minister of Music!
ALCM is here to help and assist you in every possible way to be the Minister of Music that God would have you be. Our mission statement affirms this purpose – ALCM is here to nurture you and equip you to serve and inspire your people as together we lead the “Church’s Song.” I love the New Living Translation wording of Colossians 3:16. “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
As church musicians and worship leaders, we have a high calling in meeting those opportunities God places before us as Ministers of Music. We share the Gospel in the “Church’s Song.”
On a personal note, thank you for allowing me to serve as one of your new board members. I am truly humbled and honored to find myself in this new role. May God bless us all as we do his work.
Wallace Horton
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Board Member Recommendations Wanted
We are looking for candidates for open board of director positions in 2024, including Secretary/Treasurer. If you have thoughts on candidates you believe should be considered for these important positions—or if you yourself are interested in serving on the board—please provide those names to president-elect Karen Black, who is chairing the nominating committee.
Send your suggestions to Karen at karen.black@wartburg.edu. Nominations must be received by November 15.
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Retaining our now-established pattern of holding a conference at Valparaiso University in even-numbered years, we will meet next summer on the VU campus under the theme, "From Generation to Generation: Ponder Anew." This conference provides opportunities for attendees to strengthen their gifts and explore new skills through workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. In addition, the 2024 conference will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion, including a performance led by Dr. Christopher Cock. (Made possible through a generous gift from Pauline and John Kiltinen.) Registration opens soon! | |
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Announcing…the Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, October 15–17, 2023, at Concordia University Chicago! Plenaries include Stephen Starke and a Publishers’ Forum. Organ recital by Craig Sproat, Starke Hymn Festival with Concordia’s Kapelle and Grace Lutheran Church’s Choir. Special track for hymn text writers and hymn tune composers. Monday morning-only registration for pastors and anyone interested in congregation song. Other presenters include Anne Krentz Organ, Andrew Schaeffer, David Mennicke, Barry Bobb, and others. Dedication of Martin Ott practice organ, a gift from Walter L. Pelz. Special commemorative events to observe the 100th anniversary of Richard Hillert.
For schedule and registration information, please click here.
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Final Opportunity to Apply for an ALCM Grant
Today is the last day to submit an application for ALCM's new grant program. This is an opportunity for members to receive financial assistance for projects and initiatives that support ALCM’s mission to “nurture and equip musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.”
Who may submit a grant request? Anyone who is an ALCM member!
How much? $500-$1500, though larger amounts may be considered at the discretion of the review committee.
What kind of projects? You decide! Some possibilities include: personal study; support of the music ministry in your congregation; research travel or a conference; presenting a community event or Hearts, Hands, Voices workshop; purchase of instruments or equipment to use to support a new musical ensemble in your congregation or community outreach program. You decide what kind of project—use your imagination!
How do I apply? Complete this application form. Applications are due October 1.
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Conference Recordings Available for Purchase
Philadelphia conference recordings are available for purchase ($345 for members; $395 for non-members). Like the Members Area of the website, you will have access to the conference recordings as long as your ALCM membership remains active.
Included in the package are recordings and handouts from:
- Worship services, concerts
- Plenaries, choral reading sessions, ALCM business meeting (including awards)
- Skills workshops and masterclasses (first session Wednesday; continued on Saturday)
- Workshops (workshops were offered twice, so there are two recordings of each workshop)
Additional information about conference offerings is available in the conference book.
Click here to purchase the conference recordings package. ALCM members: be sure to sign in to the Members Area of the website in order to secure the reduced member rate. If you have forgotten your password, or if you have never logged in to the members area, click the "Forgot your password?" link in the login box to set your password.
Questions? Send an email to office@alcm.org.
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Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM
Friday, October 27 - 6:00 pm Eastern
Recognizing that virtual community IS real community, you are warmly invited to join "Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM" on Zoom every fourth Friday. Moderated by President Nancy Raabe and Executive Director Jim Rindelaub, discussion will be oriented around a general theme each month, but the larger purpose is to encourage conversation, sharing, and community. Bring whatever thoughts, comments, or concerns are on your mind, and of course a libation of your choice. Click on this recurring link to join each month.
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FALL “HYMN SINGS” in REGION 2 | |
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A new hymn collection by the Reverend Dr. Paul Weber, So Great a Cloud of Witnesses, will be introduced at “Hymn Sings” in Region 2 this fall. Each “Hymn Sing” will affirm the importance of assembly song and is intended for lay members, musicians, and clergy. Dr. Weber will give background to his hymns before they are sung and will share “A Biblical Basis for the Church’s Song.” View a complete list of dates and locations.
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Events are published both in the website calendar and in the monthly e-newsletter. Do you have an event that you'd like to include? ALCM members should log in and follow the link on the main members area page. Non-members should send event details to office@alcm.org for consideration.
View the ALCM calendar
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October 1-5 - Fall "Hymn Sings" in Region 2
October 7 - Concordia (Irvine) Church Music Conference (HHV event)
October 14 - Allentown, PA - Hymns in Worship: Caring, Choosing, Creating (HHV event)
October 17 - 6:00p - Dallas, TX - Bach Cantata Series at Zion Lutheran Church
October 15-17 - Concordia University Chicago - Lectures in Church Music
October 21 - Waukesha, WI - Hearts*Hands*Voices event
October 27- 6:00p Eastern - Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM.
October 27 - 7:00p - Kokomo, IN - Tyler Kivel piano concert
October 29 - 4:00p - Phoenixville, PA - Peter Richard Conte, organ
October 29 - 5:00p - Wyandotte, MI - Festival Celebration of the Lutheran Reformation
Upcoming events:
November 4 - St. Matthew's (Fort Worth, TX) - 70th Anniversary Celebration - Singers wanted
November 5-7 - Good Shepherd Institute (Fort Wayne, IN)
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Post Your Own Event!
Adding your local event to the calendar is easy. Just log in to the members area of the ALCM website and follow the "Add an event to the calendar" link under "What would you like to do?" Click on the "Post Your Event" button and complete the form. Your event will appear on the main event calendar, on the main page of the website, and in the e-newsletter for the month in which the event will take place.
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Will you share your favorite “insider insights” with In Tempo readers? Skills you have learned from favorite mentors and your own lived experience – rehearsing music, planning a worship service, getting along with people!, helping people sing better, “Saturday night specials,” “instant anthems” – your most used and encouraging tips and practices in leading Lutheran worship. 600-700 words is about a magazine page or two – just right for an “Aha!” moment for busy musicians who can rip out the page and put it to use this coming week. Your wisdom and know-how, and maybe including your story of “bumps along the way” to what you now know, can cheer and encourage. Contact intempo@alcm.org with your idea. | |
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If you have attended or plan to attend a conference or workshop and would like to write a short report on your experience for CrossAccent, please feel free to contact editor Clayton Faulkner (crossaccent@alcm.org). Examples of recent and upcoming conferences include:
Lectures in Church Music (Concordia University Chicago)
American Guild of Organists (chapter, regional, or national events)
Choristers Guild Institute
Lutheridge Adult Music Week
The Hymn Society Annual Conference
North American Academy of Liturgy
The Good Shepherd Institute
Institute of Liturgical Studies
ALCM Biennial Conference (Philadelphia)
Calvin Symposium on Worship
Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (St. Olaf College)
Society for Christian Scholarship in Music
American Choral Directors Association National Conference
Hearts, Hands, Voices workshops
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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music
It’s not too soon to nominate a student for LSM 2024. With enrollment for next summer already over 50% full, it will be important for interested students to apply early! Know a high school student who would benefit from the life-giving and joyful musical community at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate, or contact admissions@lutheransummermusic.org for more information. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University from June 30-July 28, 2024.
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Are you getting the most out of your ALCM membership?
Did you know that new member benefits are being added all the time to the members area of the ALCM website? You will want to log in whenever you visit the site to be sure that you have access to everything available to members. Can't remember your login information? In almost every case, your user name is your email address. You can change or reset your password by following the "Forgot your password?" link in the login box.
Items in the members area are available for unlimited use as long as your membership remains active. Here are a few items for members only:
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All issues of CrossAccent (from the very beginning) and In Tempo are available for viewing. These items are for sale in the Marketplace to non-members;
- Advertise your local events on ALCM's calendar;
- Listen to all ALCM CD recordings for free;
- Hymns, accompaniments, descants, concertatos, and hymn stanza alternations for choir;
- Other free downloadable seasonal and non-seasonal resources;
- Discounted registration fee for ALCM-sponsored webinars and conferences;
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Past issues of ALCM's original practical resource, Grace Notes, from 1997-2011;
- Discounts on purchases of CDs and other items in the Marketplace; and
- A host of other resources free for viewing and downloading.
If you have any difficulty logging in or if you have questions or comments about the website or your membership, please feel free to contact us by email at office@alcm.org.
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Are you a congregation looking for a musician?
A musician looking for a position?
ALCM can help!
Employment resources have been developed to assist congregations in the process of searching for and hiring a musician. Presented in a step-by-step format, these resources will guide you through the entire employment process.
The ALCM job listing service connects those looking for positions in the field of church music with congregations and other institutions that have openings. By completing an online job posting form, congregations can post their positions on the ALCM website where those looking for employment may view them.
Musicians searching for a job may view posted job openings on the ALCM website, where those looking for positions can view them. Both full-time and part-time positions are listed, and new positions are added as received.
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The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
nurtures and equips musicians
to serve and lead the church's song.
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