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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
January 1, 2025 e-newsletter
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Greeting from President Nancy Raabe | |
Join Us in Raleigh-Durham in 2025! | |
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I hope that you have already registered to join us August 4-8, 2025, at ALCM’s biennial conference, For all that is to be. If you need a little nudge, check out the conference website to learn more about all that is awaiting you in Raleigh-Durham, or read past newsletters to see what committee members are excited about.
One aspect of this conference that I think will work especially well for us is the conference hotel. The conference planning committee stayed at the Embassy Suites Research Triangle during its site vist last January. It’s very convenient, with an airport shuttle, free parking, and WiFi included. My room had a nice view of the North Carolina scenery, and breakfast and happy hour are included as well. We expect our attendees to take over most of the hotel, so we will have a great feeling of community.
I hope to see you in August!
Lara West
Conference Planning Team
Registration rates go up after January 14th. Those who register for both the 2025 Composers Symposium and the Raleigh-Durham Conference will receive a $70 dollar refund at the close of the conference.
Prices go up on January 15, so register by January 14 to take advantage of the lowest prices!
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AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON!
Designed for sacred observances in January through April, each of the 17 chapters include a 20-30 minute concerted playlist of exceptional recordings available on streaming media services, biblical commentary, and contextual information about composers. This book aims to bring sacred music into the devotional life of readers, utilizing choral, orchestral, organ, gospel, and Americana traditions in a seasonal progression that begins with the manifestation of Jesus as God, turns to Lenten confessions, then emerges from darkness into Easter light. It also includes chapters that provide sacred listening context to the holidays of MLK Jr. Day, Valentine's Day, and St. Patrick's Day.
"While a professional musician will find this book a great resource for programming and inspiration, this book is truly for anyone who appreciates music. With the ease of navigating between the book’s pages and the carefully curated, and easily accessible, links to streaming services, the music instantly opens an entire world of quality music and centuries of artistry to anyone who wishes to explore."
(Thomas Bandar - Executive/Artistic Director, Lutheran Summer Music Academy)
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ALCM is excited to offer a symposium, Where do we go from here?, to stimulate conversation among composers regarding our efforts to be faithful, creative, and nurturing stewards of the church’s song – even where gatherings have limited human and material resources. Registrants will also have the opportunity to explore newer music software. For a more detailed look, visit the Symposium website. More information is added regularly, so be sure to check back often.
ALCM is especially grateful to the hosts for this symposium, Bob Hobby and Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Generous donations from the Fred Jackisch Memorial Fund as well as from Trinity English Lutheran have helped to maximize the benefits of attendance while minimizing costs to registrants.
Registration rates go up after January 14th. Those who register for both the 2025 Symposium and Raleigh-Durham Conference will receive a $70 dollar refund at the close of the conference.
Prices go up on January 15, so register by January 14 to take advantage of the lowest prices!
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Call for manuscripts
500 Years of Lutheran Hymnals
CrossAccent Vol. 33, No. 1 (Spring 2025)
Manuscript deadline: January 15, 2025
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National Lutheran Choir 2025 Choral Tune-Up
February 1, 2025
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The National Lutheran Choir is hosting an educational workshop with clinicians Dr. André Thomas and Dr. Brandon Boyd on February 1, 2025.
The event is open to church choirs, youth (grades 7-12), choir directors, and choral music educators. New this year, the event will include a Friday evening conducting master class, interest session, and reading session exploring the rich traditions of Black sacred music and the music of Black culture through community singing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to sing with the National Lutheran Choir and members of area choirs in a Festival Chorus along with the University of Minnesota Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Adrian Davis in a free concert that will be open to the public.
Registration and additional information is available at www.nlca.com/tuneup.
The deadline to register is Friday, January 17, 2025.
| Do you have practical thoughts, suggestions, or resources that could help your fellow ALCM musicians? In Tempo is always looking for new contributors! The deadline to contribute to the next issue is March 1st. Questions and submissions may be directed to intempo@alcm.org. | |
2025 Norma Aamodt-Nelson
Student Scholar Award
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award. Students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are encouraged to apply.
This award was established in 2021 to honor the legacy of Norma, a practicing church musician and instrumental acquisitions editor for Augsburg Fortress from 1993 until her death in 2020. The award is designed to encourage collegiate students as they prepare for a vocation in church music. In addition to completing the scholarship application, applicants are required to submit a video audition. The award winner will receive a full scholarship for the 2025 ALCM biennial conference in Raleigh-Durham, which includes conference registration, hotel housing, transportation, conference meals, a one-year membership in ALCM, and a cash prize of $500. The award winner may also be invited to play a piece at the 2025 ALCM biennial conference. The application deadline is February 15, 2025.
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Do we have your current contact information?
The 2025 ALCM Membership Directory will be published in January, and we want to be sure that it includes your correct contact information. If you have recently moved and/or changed church positions and haven't yet reported the change, please let us know no later than Tuesday, January 14. You can email the changes to office@alcm.org or fill out the online contact information form. Not sure whether you've reported changes? Just contact us using either of those options and we'll check for you.
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Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM
Friday, January 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 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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Post your own event!
Events are published both in the website calendar and in the monthly e-newsletter. Addiing your local event to the calendar is easy. 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 for consideration.
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. Good advertising - and it's free to ALCM members!
View the complete ALCM calendar.
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Nominate Young Musicians for Lutheran Summer Music | Enrollment is filling fast for the LSM 2025! Students come together in an immersive musical community that connects the pursuit of musical growth with the joy of Lutheran church music traditions. LSM welcomes musicians of all kinds: brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, piano, organ, voice, harp, guitar, handbells, and more. Know a young person (grades 8-12) who would benefit from this life-giving and joyful musical community? Nominate them for LSM today at LSMacademy.org/nominate. LSM 2025 takes place at Valparaiso University from June 22-July 20 (Half Session through July 6). Standard Enrollment is open now through March 1. | |
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Hymn Resources
As part of your Epiphany 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.
Here are two settings of the hymn "Let All Together Praise Our God!" set to the tune LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN: a brass setting by Jean Boehler, and a setting for organ and with soloed melody by Paul Otte.
LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN – Boehler instrumental parts
LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN – Otte harmonization
There are many 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, send an email to office@alcm.org and we'll be happy to help.
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The Raabe Prize at 25!
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition. Endowed in 1999 by Dr. William and Pr. Nancy Raabe of Philadelphia, this prize is awarded every two years for a single musical work that reflects a larger history of excellence on the part of a composer. Its aim is to recognize and encourage significant accomplishments in composition contributing to the body of sacred music for the church in the Lutheran heritage. Throughout 2024, ALCM is highlighting each prizewinner with a video describing the piece, its significance and, where possible, featuring a conversation with the composer.
You can view previous interviews on the Prize Winners page on the ALCM website. Watch for new interviews in the coming months!
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Embark on an unforgettable European adventure enriched by a captivating blend of history and natural beauty from Poland to Tallinn, Estonia. Begin your travels in Warsaw, then proceed through the Polish countryside to Zakopane, nestled at the base of the Tatra Mountains. Explore Krakow’s rich history, including visits to Wawel Cathedral and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Journey onward to charming Tallinn, Estonia, where you’ll celebrate the 28th Estonian Song and Dance Festival. The Song Celebration tradition began in 1869 as a way for Estonians to meet, share their national spirit, and celebrate their unity in times of oppression. Hear tens of thousands of voices lifted in song and see the performers colorful regional costumes. Reserved seats are included for the final day of the festival.
Additional information.
Register for the event.
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The Sing Democracy 250-50 States Program is a non-partisan, nationwide chorus of hope, a movement of resilience, and a celebration of America’s 250th birthday!
We’ve commissioned two new pieces of choral music, one by Brandon Boyd and the other by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, that connect Americans to our history and our promise of democracy.
We are inviting choirs in all 50 states to perform this program in 2026, to engage singers and citizens with a powerful message of hope for democracy through music that represents American history honestly, reflects America’s diversity, and calls all Americans to fulfill their obligations to America... to build together that more perfect union!
To learn more and participate visit https://www.singdemocracy250.org/.
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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. 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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