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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
April 1, 2026 e-newsletter
| | Greeting from ALCM Secretary/Treasurer Michael Krentz | | |
Spring is a frequent metaphor for resurrection and new life, much used by authors, poets, preachers, and especially greeting card companies. The greening of nature, budding of trees and flowers, births of bunnies and lambs, and warmer temperatures are certainly signs of new life, or at least returning life.
This year in eastern Pennsylvania our springtime has been markedly colder, wetter, and windier than other springs. The flowers are delayed, the trees are still bare, and only an occasionally warm sunny day suggests that winter is departing and spring is arriving.
If authors, poets, preachers, and greeting card companies were wise, they would pay attention to springs like this one in eastern Pennsylvania. For I suspect that resurrection comes more often in fits and starts than in a sudden trumpet blast of glory. New life may arrive more slowly than we wish, shrouded in the remains of what is passing.
Is this bad news? Not at all! For resurrection and life do come. In God’s time, they come. What are we then to do? Look for signs of God bringing life. It may be just below the surface, covered with what is melting away. It may be hard to see. It may be quiet, almost unheard. But look for these signs in your own life and in the life of the people you serve.
And when you see or hear them, celebrate them! Point them out to others. Share them! And certainly, sing about them, for Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed.
Michael Krentz
ALCM Secretary/Treasurer
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Space is filling up - register now!
Space is filling up fast, so if you have not already done so, be sure to register for the St. Olaf conference as soon as possible. Those of you who have already registered will be receiving a number of informational emails beginning this month. Address questions to Adam Hughes at education@alcm.org.
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40th Anniversary Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Would you like to contribute to ALCM and support our 40th Anniversry conference at St. Olaf? Gifts are welcome to support the conference, and all donors will be listed in the conference book. Donations may be made at ALCM website through June 1.
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40th Anniversary Hymn Commission:
"O God, You Saw My Early Being"
Congratulations to Stephen Starke and Bob Hobby, whose commissioned hymn, “O God, You Saw My Early Being,” has now been published by MorningStar Music. Both paper and downloadable scores for choir and oboe as well as a free downloadable congregation part are available on the MorningStar website.
Special thanks to Concordia Publishing House (text copyright) and MorningStar Music (tune copyright) for extending free ALCM member usage through April 1, 2026. Usage beyond April 1 requires purchased copies of the hymn. Please remember to report hymn usage at OneLicense.net.
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Call for 2027 Conference Workshop Proposals
ALCM is calling for workshop proposals for the worship and music conference to be held in St. Louis, June 28-July 2, 2027. To submit your proposal complete this form by August 1, 2026. Workshop proposals accepted by the committee for the 2027 conference will be notified by mid-fall, 2026. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee a workshop spot although proposals will also be considered for ALCM’s seasonal webinar series and future conferences.
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What Is the Institute?
The National Lutheran Choir’s Summer Conducting, Leadership, and Vocation Institute is a five-day immersive experience for musicians exploring their calling through conducting, singing, leadership, and vocational discernment. Designed for students and emerging professionals at multiple stages, the institute blends artistic excellence with mentorship and community.
Participants engage in conducting study, vocal pedagogy, ensemble leadership, and career exploration while singing together as a festival chorus.
Institute Tracks
The institute is divided into three tracks, each tailored to experience level:
- High School (current grades 10-12)
- Undergraduate*
- Graduate & Emerging Professional*
*A limited number of fully funded choral scholar positions are available - by application (deadline: April 1, 2026)
For more information and to register: www.nlca.com/summer-institute
| You are invited to freely make use of the ALCM Virtual Easter Hymn during the Easter season and at all times. Share the hymn with everyone. All copyright restrictions are waived. If you own a One License subscription and offer the hymn recording in worship, please include it when submitting your One License report. | |
2027 Raabe Prize
Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition. The Raabe Prize is established to recognize a recent musical work that promotes and extends the practice of church music as it is informed and shaped by Lutheran theological insight and worship practices. The composition so recognized will have been written during the five-year period prior to the year in which the prize is awarded and should be representative of a larger body of work by the composer. Preference will be given to those compositions that grow out of the heart of Lutheran worship – the song of the assembly that enables all to lift their voices in prayer, praise, and proclamation as they gather around Word and Sacrament.
Submissions for the 2027 award must be received by October 1, 2026.
2027 Raabe Prize Description & Guidelines
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Happy Easter from Lutheran Summer Music!
Available for viewing Easter Day at 5:00 am
Please enjoy this joyful musical offering of “O Clap Your Hands” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by the LSM 2025 Festival Choir, conducted by Dr. Shannon Gravelle, with Dr. Catherine Rodland, organ. Watch here: https://youtu.be/bI8CzO_VgxA
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LSM 2026 | St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN | June 21 - July 19 | Grades 8 - 12
Learn more: LSMacademy.org/program
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Part Time Remote Position Available:
ALCM Education Coordinator
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is seeking a high achieving and collaborative part time employee to serve as the staff coordinator of ALCM’s Hearts, Hands, Voices local workshops, it’s even year national conferences and to provide support for ALCM projects. The individual will work with ALCM’s executive director and office staff as well as planning committees to ensure tasks related to ALCM’s educational programs are executed in a timely and high-quality manner. Essential qualifications: detail oriented; excellent written and verbal communication skills; successful project management and time management track record; proven ability to meet deadlines. Click here for a detailed task list. Exceptional candidates please email a cover letter and resume to jimrindelaub@alcm.org with “EDUCATION COORDINATOR APPLICATION” in the subject line. Interviewing has begun, so be sure to apply as soon as possible.
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ALCM at 40 - Reflections from
Founding Member Mike Krentz
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In October 1985 I travelled to Columbia, SC together with a small number of other Lutheran church musicians from Illinois, where I lived at the time. I recall feeling a bit daunted and apprehensive as I made the trip to a place I’d never been, and where I would only know the folks from Illinois. We worked together on the Northern Illinois Synod (LCA) Worship Committee for a few years.
But I was also excited. The years from 1978 to 1984 had been filled with wonderful learning and fellowship opportunities at Lutheran Book of Worship introductory events sponsored by our synod and by the national church bodies. It was an exciting time introducing the new book in my congregation. Read more...
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Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM
Friday, April 24 - 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 Past-President Nancy Raabe and Executive Director Jim Rindelaub, discussion is 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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Kyries & Glorias
Kyries (prayer concerns) and Glorias (thanksgivings) as well as In memoria are posted on the ALCM website.
Kyrie
John Kiltinen
Mark & Kathy Helge
Bob Hobby*
Jenny Hobby
Lois Rimbo
In memoriam
Pauline Kiltinen*
Dorothy Richterkessing
Robert Rimbo*
ALCM members are invited to submit Kyries and Glorias following the link in the members area of the website. Non-members may contact the ALCM office at office@alcm.org with information for posting.
* indicates a Founding Member
| | Events are published both in the website calendar and in the monthly e-newsletter in the month in which the event occurs. Adding your local event to the calendar is easy. It's good advertising - and it's free to ALCM members! Members can simply log in to the members area of the ALCM website and select "Add an event to the calendar" under "What would you like to do?" Click on the "Post Your Event" button and complete the form. Non-members should send event details to office@alcm.org. | | | |
Hymn Resources
This month there are two suggestions from the "Hymn Settings" section of the members area: VICTORY ("The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done") and DUKE STREET ("I Know that My Redeemer Lives"). Settings for each include a B-flat trumpet part written by Jean Boehler as well as a soloed-out organ setting by Paul Otte. In addition, Laurel Sanders has shared music for brass, pairing the tunes VICTORY and DUKE STREET with other Easter melodies. Check the members area of the ALCM website for additional hymn tunes for Easter.
DUKE STREET – Boehler
DUKE STREET – Otte harmonization
DUKE STREET; CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN; LLANFAIR – Offertory for Brass – Sanders
VICTORY – Boehler
VICTORY; AUF, AUF, MEIN HERZ – Easter Prelude for Brass – Sanders
VICTORY – Otte harmonization
As part of your regular worship planning, be sure to check your hymn selections against the list of Hymn Settings in the members area of the ALCM website. (See the link under the "Quick Links" heading.) There are hundreds of hymn settings to support congregational singing as well as many free downloadable resources in the members area. If you haven't looked for a while, log in and do some exploring!
Having difficulty logging in to the members area? First check to be sure that you are using the email address that we have on file (the address at which you receive the e-newsletter). Click on the "Forgot your password?" link in the login box and follow the instructions to reset your password. If you still have difficulty logging in, or if you are logged in and cannot access the members area page, send an email to office@alcm.org
and we'll be happy to help.
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Share Your Psalm Refrains
As part of a larger project to develop psalm resources for members, a page for psalm refrains has been created and is accessible in the members area of the website. Refrains are listed by psalm number and verse and contain an accompaniment, a graphic for insertion in a service folder, suggested psalm tone(s), and other supporting materials (instrumental parts, descants, etc.). There are only a handfull of refrains right now, but we invite you to help the number grow by sharing your psalm refrains with other ALCM members. Be sure to review these guidelines before submitting your psalm files.
Please address any questions, suggestions, or corrections to Cheryl Dieter at office@alcm.org.
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The Center for Church Music, in partnership with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, wishes to honor the legacy of Concordia University Chicago distinguished professor of music Dr. Richard Hillert. His legacy includes not only his many liturgical pieces and musical works, but also his many gifts for teaching composition. The Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition is awarded every other year to a current student at a Lutheran university or seminary. (Recent grads--since May 2024--may also apply.)
The cash prize of $1000 will be awarded at the 2027 ALCM conference in St. Louis, which may also include a performance of the work as a part of its program. The Center will also donate $500 toward the winning composer’s travel to the conference. Submissions for the 2026 award must be received by June 1, 2026.
View additional information and submission requirements.
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The 2026 William Wolfram Student Award in Liturgical Art
Recognizes student artists who evidence:
- Commitment to Christian faith and practice
- Excellence in artistic expression
- Commitment to creating pieces purposed for use within worship settings
$1,000.00 prize
Deadline: May 1st, 2026 - Submit a single PDF with quality images of your work, one full image and one or two detail images along with title, media, dimensions, year created, and anything else you want the judges to know.
Send to Barry.Bobb@CUChicago.edu
(Recent grads--since May 2024--may also apply.)
Additional information is available on the Center's website.
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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 username 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. Paper and downloadable versions of CrossAccent are also available in the Marketplace;
- 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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