ALCM Logo with baton

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians


July 1, 2023 e-newsletter

Greeting from Board Member David Werth

For the next two months, many church music leaders are on a “summer schedule” – meaning choirs and music ensembles take a break until September. Perhaps we can draw inspiration from God himself. God did not merely “rest” on the seventh day; He “stopped creating.” It was a purposeful stop. Everything He desired to create had been made. He looked at His creation, declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31), and ceased from all activity. Like many of you, I look forward to using this “stopping” time for planning and preparing, so that our music ensembles and I can start “creating” again in September.

 

But first things, first. In just a few days we’ll be gathering at our biennial conference in Philadelphia. To quote fellow board member Jean Boehler, “With open hearts, we will receive all that God provides so that, renewed, we may be His faithful leaders of song.” I’m especially excited about connecting with you at the conference, sharing our “stopping” time together!


David Werth

ALCM Board Director

 

All creatures that have breath and motion,

That throng the earth, the sea, the sky,

Come, share with me my heart’s devotion,

Help me to sing God’s praises high.

My utmost pow’rs can never quite

Declare the wonders of His might.

 

Creator, humbly I implore You

To listen to my earthly song

Until that day when I adore You,

Together with the angel throng

And learn with choirs of heav’n to sing

Eternal anthems to my King.

 

(LSB 811, stanzas 4 and 5)

Last Chance to Register!!!


Since the pandemic, many people have been waiting—for all kinds of good reasons—until the last minute to make travel plans. I read recently in an email from another organization that as many as 25 percent of convention attendees (across all industries) are making the decisions about attending within two weeks of their events! Well guess what... it's not too late to attend ALCM's long-awaited biennial conference in Philadelphia! Online registration for in-person attendance closes at 1:00 pm Eastern time on Sunday (tomorrow). After that time you are welcome to join us in person as a walk-in. Can't be there in person? You can register to see the entire conference live streamed online. And even if you can't watch live next week, registering as a virtual participant ensures that you will have access to the conference recordings at your leisure any time! I hope you'll join us. It's going to be a wonderful, fulfilling week of learning, praying, and singing together!

—Tim Getz, conference chair

See all the conference has to offer!


Please join us virtually at alcm.org for these three live public events from the Philadelphia biennial conference:

             Opening Eucharist: Wednesday, July 5 at 7:30 pm Eastern

             Festival of Hymns: Friday, July 7 at 7:30 pm Eastern

             Closing Eucharist: Saturday, July 8 at 11:00 am Eastern

Links will be posted on the ALCM home page prior to the beginning of each event.

The price for the series of three one-hour webinars is $25 for ALCM members; $39 for non-members. The morning of the webinar you will receive a link to join the webinar. Within 24 hours after the webinar concludes, you will receive a link to the webinar recording and any handouts from the webinar.
Register for the 2023 summer webinar series
Echoing Air, Inc. is now booking its 2023-24 concert season!
 
Echoing Air is a traveling Baroque chamber ensemble featuring two countertenors, two recorders, and basso continuo. The ensemble’s repertoire encompasses music of many European countries spanning from Medieval times to the present. Echoing Air tours frequently, appearing on civic, church, and university concert series. Masterclasses at the collegiate level and age-appropriate presentations for students grades K-12 are also available.
 
To learn more, visit echoingair.org.

Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM

Friday, July 28 - 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.

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.

On the July Calendar

July 4-8 - ALCM Biennial Conference - Philadelphia, PA


July 17-23 - Lutheran Summer Music Festival Week - Valparaiso, IN


July 28 - 2:00 pm Eastern - Webinar with Paul Otte


July 28 - 6:00 pm Eastern - Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM.


July 28-29 - Augsburg Summer Music Clinic - Columbia, SC


July 31 - August 1 - Augsburg Summer Music Clinic - Twin Cities

Lutheran Summer Music 2023 is Underway!


LSM 2023 is officially underway! Our community of over 240 students, faculty, staff, worship leaders, fellows, and counselors have arrived and are already making music together. The campus of Valparaiso University is abuzz with excitement and anticipation as students move into their dorm rooms, audition and meet faculty, and make new friends. Once again, the LSM community is gathered and will continue to inspire another generation of music-makers and community-minded individuals.


Upon their arrival at Valparaiso University, Chaplain Nathan Baker-Trinity reminded the LSM students:


"In God's love, no role is too small or minor or hidden. That's because here at LSM, you are first and foremost connected to a body: a body that moves together, breathes together, sings together, marks its days from sunrise to sunset together. Here, everyone gets a chair. Everyone has a place."


Lift Every Voice: Spiritual Songs in Lutheran Worship


call for manuscripts


Issue 31.3 (Fall/Winter2023)


Manuscript Deadline: 1 September 2023


Do you have a story of wisdom gained from real life ministry to share with ALCM members? "The Worst and Best of Everything” is an In Tempo series about the best and worst experiences lived or advice received regarding playing, conducting, singing, hymn introductions, worship planning, technology, resolving conflict, any and everything church music and Lutheran worship.  

 

What have you learned along the way in church ministry that can help others musically, personally, relationally?  If you would be willing to share your hard-earned wisdom and practical tips, please send an article proposal by September 1 to intempo@alcm.org.  

Kyries & Glorias


Kyries (prayer concerns) and Glorias (thanksgivings) are posted in the members area and on this page on the ALCM website. Kyries and Glorias for the following people have been recently posted:


In memoriam

Patricia Hunter

John Joseph Santoro


Kyrie

Jayne Southwick Cool

Larry Finke

Ethel Geist

Jennifer Phelps

Jenny Hobby


Gloria

Martin Seltz*

Andy Bruhn & Dan Schwandt

Recent retirees


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 Charter Member.

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:
 
  • 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;
  • 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.
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.
A list of ALCM member-led 
Sunday worship streams & recordings is available at:


To be added, please email information to: office@alcm.org
The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
nurtures and equips musicians
to serve and lead the church's song.