Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

November 1, 2022 e-newsletter
Greetings from Secretary/Treasurer Michael Krentz
November 1 is celebrated as All Saints Day in many parts of the church. Many of us take time to remember saints who have shaped us, beginning with members of our families – parents, grandparents, a favorite aunt or uncle. Some will remember a teacher who was important in shaping our love of learning or choosing a career. Pastors might remember a Sunday school teacher or parish pastor who helped them discover their call to ordained ministry. Athletes will remember coaches, and we musicians will remember music teachers, organists, and choir directors. All of us have been mentored and loved, which helped form us into the people we are.

Of course, not all saints we might remember are dead; many are still alive, still mentoring, still loving, still forming us into who we wish to be. Perhaps you might remember people who are part of our beloved Association. What ALCM members have been “saints” for you?

One tangible way to remember a saint in your life, especially a saint who is or was part of our ALCM community, is by making a gift to ALCM in their honor or memory. This is a way to both remember someone and to spread their “saintliness” to others. You can make a gift at https://alcm.org/make-a-donation/.

Rejoice in God’s saints!

Michael Krentz
Secretary/Treasurer
All Saints Day Remembrance 2022

Today we remember our dear ALCM friends and colleagues who have joined the heavenly chorus since All Saints Day 2021. 
Susan Cherwien
John Eggert
Daniel Erlander
Herman Fisher
John H. George
Dale Hesse
Gloria Hillert
Todd Holle
Frederick Jackisch
Ralph Klein
Lu Anne Knowles
Edgar Krentz
Harlen Miller
Betty Lou Nelson
Perry Nelson
Roger Petrich
Doris Savage
Marie Schroeder
Marilyn Stulken
Thomas Troeger
Glen Zobel

May they rest in peace and rise in glory!
 
If there are others who should be named in future remembrances, please send an email to office@alcm.org.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
Join Us in Philadelphia!

Take advantage of our "additional person, same address" opportunity when registering for the Philadelphia ALCM conference! Pastors and music directors can strengthen their working relationship by attending the conference together. Perhaps a spouse or other family member would like to come with you. Or there may even be interested members of your choir, band, or worship committee who would enjoy the ALCM experience. The offer applies to any number of people, so gather a group to come to Philadelphia next summer! Just one person at your address needs to register at the regular rate-- currently the early, early bird rate of just $395-- and anyone else who comes with you simply needs to provide the same address (whether home or church) to get the "additional person" rate. It's an amazing deal! See you in Philadelphia!


“Early, Early Bird” conference registration discounts available through January 15, 2023.
Board Member Recommendations Wanted

We are beginning to look for candidates for upcoming board of director positions in 2023, including President-Elect. If you have thoughts on good 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 past president Kevin Barger, who is chairing the nominating committee. Send your suggestions to Kevin at kbarger@epiphanyelca.org. Nominations should be received by November 15.
Hearts • Hands • Voices are local half- or full-day skills-based workshops organized and hosted by ALCM members. These events provide opportunities to learn new skills, share best practices, build relationships and support systems among musicians in your area, and introduce others to the ALCM community.

If you are interested in hosting one of these events in 2023 or would like more information, contact Adam Lefever Hughes at education@alcm.org. Check out the HHV events already scheduled for 2023!
Plan your winter 2023 getaway now - and attend a
Hearts • Hands • Voices event while you're there!

Saturday, February 4, 2023
8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Ascension Lutheran Church

Kate Adelman & Lorraine Brugh, presenters

Saturday, February 18, 2023
All day workshop

St. Paul's Lutheran Church



Registration for both events is now open!
Gmail users: be on the lookout!

Gmail users, if you access your email directly from the Google website, you may encounter a display issue with the monthly e-newsletter. Because of the file size, last month's e-newsletter was truncated and only partially displayed (see graphic below). Although the October calendar listed eight different events, none of them displayed. At the very bottom left side appears the note: "[Message clipped] View entire message." All ALCM emails sent through Constant Contact contain our ALCM-specific footer. If you are viewing the newsletter and see a funky display without the footer, check for that link on the bottom left side. Click the "View entire message" link to see the entire email.
Last Chance to Purchase 2022 Webinar Series

Webinars in 2022 were offered in three separate series: spring, summer, and fall. Through January 10, 2023, you may purchase any or all of the three series at the original reduced prices. Beginning January 11, 2023 webinars will only be available individually at the regular per webinar price of $25 for members and $39 for non-members. Order now to beat the price change!
ALCM Friday November Webinar
Presenting Bach Cantatas
Friday, November 4 - 2:00 pm Eastern

A practical conversation concerning aspects of presenting Bach Cantatas, including choosing works, preparing the singing forces, working with instrumentalists, language issues, liturgical choices, translations, funding, and more. Questions, observations, concerns welcome!


NOTE: If you have already registered for the Fall or the Full Year Series, do not register again. You will receive a link to the webinar in the morning on the day of the webinar.
Rick Erickson
Deacon Rick Erickson, Cantor
Director of the Church Choir and Bach Society Houston
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
Purchase recordings from the 2022 Valpo conference
In addition to the titles listed last month, purchase of the conference recordings package will give you access to recordings of these workshops from the second of six total workshop slots:

Register now to access all of the recorded sessions and handouts--including concerts and worship services!
New ALCM Membership Brochure
You may have received an ALCM brochure in your church mailbox inviting you to membership in ALCM. We did not send brochures directly to ALCM members, but we did send copies to every Lutheran congregation. So if you're already an ALCM member, pass the brochure along to a friend!
"Failure is a school in which the truth always grows strong." – Henry Ward Beecher, clergyman, social reformer, orator
 
Do you have a story of "bumps along the way" in music ministry? We can relate to, laugh with, and take courage from people who know "the view from below" - stories of leaders who fail but grow stronger can teach, cheer, encourage, and unite us. If you have a winsome fiasco story or a more sober story of wisdom learned from experience with the worst and best of anything in church music and worship ministry, contact intempo@alcm.org for writer guidelines and future inclusion in In Tempo, ALCM’s practical resources magazine.  
2022 Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition Winner
The Center for Church Music, in partnership with ALCM wishes to honor the legacy of Concordia University Chicago distinguished professor of church 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 biennial competition is open to students at any Lutheran college, university, or seminary in the U.S. and Canada. The judges are all active church musicians and established composers.
The winner of the 2022 Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition is Bethany Zeckzer, a student at Concordia University Nebraska, for her SATB acapella choral setting, "An Evening Prayer." The award was presented to Bethany by Center for Church Music director Barry Bobb and ALCM executive director Jim Rindelaub.
 
The cash prize is $1000. In addition "Evening Prayer" will be performed at the ALCM biennial conference in Philadelphia in July 2023 by the professional chamber ensemble Choral Arts Philadelphia.

Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord:
Psalmody in Lutheran Worship

Issue 31.1 (Spring 2023)

Manuscript Deadline: 1 January 2023
Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM
Friday, November 25 - 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.

Please note that, to better accommodate members in the western time zones, Fourth Fridays have moved to a starting time of 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

Weekly Compline 
Participate with ALCM members in the contemplative sung service of Night Prayer posted each Monday evening at 8:30 Eastern on ALCM's Facebook page. Worship time just for you, led by President Nancy Raabe.
Lutheran Summer Music changes lives!
LSM transforms lives. Hear the impact directly from first-year students at the beginning and end of LSM 2022, as they share their experiences through personal testimonies:
 
 
The five students featured in the video all experienced growth during their four weeks immersed at LSM, returning home to their communities and congregations as leaders. And it was all thanks to a caring adult that four out of the five found LSM:

  • Romarro heard through a personal invite at a school visit 
  • Jimmy heard from an LSM faculty member as he passed through the hallways at school
  • Damaris and Camila heard through their music teachers
 
The primary way prospective students learn about LSM is through encouragement from someone like you. Whether you are a church musician, pastor, teacher, relative, or friend, your connection in telling the young people in your life about LSM is what sustains the future and carries forward life-changing impact to each new student. Now is the time to invest in students and nominate them for LSM 2023.
 
 
Thank you for your support and advocacy of LSM. Your care allows the continued investment in students as they become the next generation of leaders in church, music, and society.
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 November Calendar
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

Kyrie

ALCM members living in or near Hurricane’s Ian’s Florida eye landfall:
Cape Coral – John Renfroe
Fort Myers – Richard D. Jaeggi, Joyce Reitz, and Jacob Roggow
Naples – Joyce Finlay
Sanibel – Mark & Kathy Helge

Gloria

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.
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.