Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
March 1, 2022 e-newsletter
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“I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)
Jay Beech’s setting of this psalm has been running through my head the past few days. It’s a fun, slightly jazzy setting. Upbeat. Even toe-tapping.
What does the house of the Lord look like? Does it look like your church sanctuary? Is it a beautiful outdoor meadow? Or perhaps it more resembles a sparkling beach. For the past several months the house of the Lord may have looked like a computer screen. This or another psalm setting sounding forth through a tiny speaker with group singing virtually non-existent.
But . . . your music still carries THE important messages: God is with us, God loves you, God forgives you. The musical messages cannot be quashed, even if it sounds a bit tinny through those speakers.
Thank you for continuing to share the love of God through music. My prayer is this pandemic will soon be under control, and our music will again reverberate through the walls and halls of our sanctuaries.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Jim Hild
Director
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Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Music. 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.
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Join us this Summer!
On the fence about attending the conference in Valparaiso this summer? Here are a few reasons we think you should attend:
- Sing! It's been too long since we've been able to sing together—and what better place to sing than the beautiful Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University?
- Participate in individual workshops and group learning sessions;
- Interact with Lutheran Summer Music students and to experience the LSM program first-hand (the conference schedule indicates in green the activities taking place directly with LSM);
- Hear evening concerts by two award-winning vocal ensembles: Leipzig-based Calmus, and Minneapolis/St. Paul based Cantus;
- Participate in a festival of hymns led by renowned organist Martin Jean;
- Hear the Cantus and Calmus ensembles provide choral music during worship.
- Experience the Calmus ensemble teaching choral techniques in workshops.
- Be inspired to lift your home church services and choirs to new heights.
Take advantage of all these opportunities and register now at the reduced registration rate! Prices go up on March 16!
Conference Scholarships Are Available!
Scholarships to the 2022 ALCM Conference at Valparaiso University are available to current university and seminary students and to church musicians who have graduated within the past five years. Each scholarship award covers registration, dormitory housing, transportation, and meals as well as a one-year membership in ALCM.
Apply now—scholarship applications will be accepted through April 15. Scholarship recipients will be notified by early May.
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Valparaiso Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Would you like to contribute to ALCM and support our July conference in Valparaiso? Gifts are welcome to support the conference and may be made from the ALCM website. As with all donations to ALCM, your gift can be designated in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. All donations made by May 15, 2022 will appear in the honor role of contributors listed in the Valparaiso conference program book.
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Webinars in 2022 will be offered in three separate series consisting of three webinars each: spring, summer, and fall. Each of the three series may be purchased individually for $25 for ALCM members and $50 for non-members or as a full-year webinar package at $60 for members and $120 for non-members. Registration for the full-year package includes automatic registration for all nine webinars throughout the year.
Registration at any time during 2022 will give access to the upcoming webinars in that series as well as recordings of the webinars which are completed. The 2022 webinars will revert to the regular price of $25 members/$39 non-members per webinar on January 16, 2023.
All webinars are on Fridays at 2:00 pm Eastern.
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ALCM Friday March & April Webinars |
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Leading Global Hymnody:
Lessons from the World Music Classroom
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Friday, March 11 - 2:00 pm Eastern
Recent years have seen increasing interest in congregational music from around the world, along with the inclusion of this global hymnody in denominational hymnals. Unfortunately, stylistic practices and characteristics often get lost in the process of notating this repertoire for Euro-American songbooks. Drawing on my experience of teaching a college-level World Music class, this webinar will give an overview of general characteristics of selected musics of the world, including Native American, West African, South African, Chinese, and Latin American. We will then consider specific songs that have appeared in recent hymnals, exploring how to retain authentic stylistic practices while simultaneously facilitating participation by congregations of Euro-American background.
See registration link below.
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Dr. Lara L. West
Minister of Music and the Arts, Organist
Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, KS
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Concert for the Human Family:
Building Bridges in Uncertain Times
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Friday, April 1 - 2:00 pm Eastern
Kory Caudill and Wordsmith discuss the process of designing a concert series focused on Becoming Beloved Community and racial reconciliation. Topics will include blending genres during the recording process, collaborating with local diocese to maximize outreach, and helping communities navigate the conversations inspired by the music.
Also in case you missed it, here is the link to a recording of the January 14, 2022 ALCM webinar led by Anton Armstrong: https://youtu.be/L1yDpGGx3J4. |
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Kory Caudill
Nashville based recording
artist, record producer, and
co-creator of the
Concert for the Human Family
Wordsmith
Baltimore based recording
artist, songwriter,
and featured artist in the
Concert for the Human Family
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Llamados a ser una voz viviente
Called to Be a Living Voice
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In light of the tremendous changes in the field of church music that had taken place over the past 25 years, in January 2014 the ALCM board of directors developed a plan to review the Statement on Music and Worship that ALCM adopted in 2003 to determine whether it needed to be revised or replaced. A task force was appointed to work on the project and in October 2016 the ALCM membership voted overwhelmingly to adopt Called to Be a Living Voice to stand alongside the 2003 ALCM Statement on Worship.
Thanks to ALCM member Omaldo Perez, Called to Be a Living Voice has now been translated into Spanish. Llamados a ser una voz viviente is presented in two versions:
Please feel free to share this with musicians serving in Spanish-speaking congregations and others who might be interested.
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Gathered around the theme “Kyrie and Gloria in Liturgy and Life,” the 2022 Institute of Liturgical Studies (Valparaiso University, April 25–27, 2022) will feature plenaries, seminars, workshops, and liturgies that explore such topics as: liturgy, music, and preaching in the midst of traumas, tensions, and trials; the nature and meaning of assembly; and creative opportunities that emerge during crisis and uncertainty. Newly added events featuring ALCM members include “The Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien: A Tapestry of Poetry, Theology, and Music within a Lutheran Context” (Robert Buckley Farlee) and a reprise of the Community Video Hymn Sing (Elizabeth and Paul Damico-Carper). More information about the schedule and registration options can be found at the ILS website.
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2022 ALCM Germany Tour
Two Spaces Still Available!
We have had a cancellation for the ALCM Germany Tour, so we are now able to offer two spaces on a first come, first served basis. The tour is hosted by David Cherwien, Michael Krentz, and Jim Rindelaub. Highlights include the Passion Play in Oberammergau (held every ten years, postponed to 2022)--last chance to see it until 2030! Also on the tour: Luther's Wittenberg, Bach's Leipzig, Mozart's Salzburg, Schütz's Dresden, as well as Berlin, Halle, and more. The dates are July 1-15, 2022. The cost per person, double occupancy, is $3,315. The single room supplement fee is $600.
The initial deposit registration fee is $350 and must be made online. NOTE: It is this online deposit that secures your reservation. Remember: registrations are taken on a first come, first served basis until the tour is filled, so make your deposit now!
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CrossAccent: Journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians invites applications for the position of a volunteer Reviews Editor to coordinate reviews of books, recordings, and other professional development resources. Interested? Contact Clayton Faulkner at crossaccent@alcm.org. |
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On the March ALCM Calendar |
In-person and live-streamed Mardi Gras concert.
O Blessed Spring - available March 13-27.
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Events are now being published both in the website calendar and in the monthly 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.
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Free book offer extended!
With apologies, the email address listed in last month's newsletter was incorrect. Please contact Wallace at the address below to request a copy.
ALCM member Wallace Horton is offering a complimentary copy of his book, Windows on Worship: 52 Devotional Readings for Those Who Plan, Lead, and Engage in Worshiping God to the first 15 pastors, musicians, and worship leaders who request a copy. Simply send an email to Wallace at celloorgan@verizon.net with your name, address, and church position and he will send you a copy.
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Monday Evening Compline
ALCM president-elect Nancy Raabe is leading compline each Monday evening at 8:00 pm Eastern time live on her church's Facebook page. The recorded link will be posted on ALCM's Facebook page by 8:30 pm Eastern each Monday for any who are interested. The link will remain active throughout the coming week. "Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping . . ."
Also, check out Nancy's psalm refrains for Lent Year C just posted in the members area of the ALCM website. There is a link to the psalms under "What's new for members?" on that page. |
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2022 Hillert Award
ALCM, in partnership with the Center for Church Music, is pleased to announce that manuscript submissions for the 2022 Hillert Award in Student Composition are now being accepted. Applicants must be a student in a Lutheran college/university or seminary in the United States or Canada. Nominations may come from someone other than the composer.
The submitted piece must be a church music composition (3-5 minutes in length) suitable for a liturgical service. Compositions in all genres and from all geographical areas are welcomed. Cash prize of $1000 will be awarded with a certificate presentation at the annual Lectures in Church Music. The winning piece may also be performed at the ALCM biennial conference in Philadelphia in July 2023.
The deadline for applications is May 1, 2022 and should be submitted to Barry.Bobb@CUChicago.edu. Include a sound recording if possible.
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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:
Kyrie
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. |
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TUNE UP worship band gathering
Virtual Training via Zoom
May 6 and 7, 2022
Join us for our virtual TUNE UP gathering this year on May 6-7. We will gather on Zoom for training, collaboration, and networking. This gathering is for everyone: instrumentalists, vocalists, worship leaders, pastors, and audio/video techs. We will meet over 3 two-hour sessions on Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon.
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In Tempo, ALCM's practical resource publication, invites article proposals for your "Worst and Best” story. The best and worst experiences, advice, tips regarding playing, conducting, singing, hymn introductions, worship planning, technology, resolving conflict, any and everything church music and Lutheran worship-related. Which strategies turned into train wrecks? Which have you absorbed and made standard practice? Your stories of “bumps along the way” as well as successes can teach, cheer, and encourage us. If you would be willing to share your hard-earned wisdom and practical tips, please send a note to intempo@alcm.org for more details and Writer Guidelines.
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LSM 2022 is June 26-July 24th @ Valparaiso University!
Join generations of church leaders who discovered their passions and callings at Lutheran Summer Music. Studies in organ, church music, conducting, composition, and much more unfold in a nurturing and welcoming environment framed by daily worship and performance opportunities—a “laboratory” for future church musicians and pastors to learn how music forms community and faith.
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St. James Music Press is offering a grant to a church starting or revitalizing a music program. The purpose of this grant is to support new choir programs or established music ministries that are adding a new element by offering resources and professional support.
Elements awarded in the grant include:
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Complimentary 1-Year Membership to St. James Music Press
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$1000 - To support ministry needs
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Quarterly program consultations with SJMP colleagues meant to help recipients maximize their SJMP membership, discuss program challenges, and celebrate/build upon program successes.
Applications must be submitted by June 30th, 2022. For complete details, visit:
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Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition |
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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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A list of ALCM member-led
Sunday worship streams & recordings is available at:
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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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