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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

October 1, 2026 e-newsletter

2027 ALCM National Conference

St. Louis, MO

June 28-July 2, 2027

According to Merriam-Webster, a confluence is “a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point.” In 2027 we will gather in St. Louis, where the Illinois, the Missouri, and the Mississippi Rivers meet. Our individual and varied voices will join in worship, learning, and fellowship, and we will return home carrying one song in our hearts. 



Sing to the Lord a new song;

     sing to the Lord, all the earth! –Psalm 96:1

Hotel Reservations

Our venue for the conference will be The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza on the corner of St. Louis' beautiful Forest Park, which is home to restaurants, museums, a 10,000-seat outdoor theatre, the St. Louis Zoo, and much more.

Make your conference hotel reservations now before the limited number of rooms sell out!

https://book.passkey.com/event/51286739/owner/819/home

Watch this page for the opening of conference registration coming soon.

2027 Raabe Prize

Submissions for the 2027 Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition are due today! 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

Board Member Recommendations Wanted

The ALCM board is accepting nominations for candidates for open board of director positions in 2027. If you have thoughts on 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 president-elect Sally Messner, who is chairing the nominating committee.

Send your suggestions to Sally at sally.messner@gmail.com. Nominations must be received by Sunday, November 15.

Celebrate and Grow

In order to better serve the Church and ALCM's membership and to ensure the organization's health and effectiveness into the future, for the past year the ALCM board, staff, and denominational representatives have been engaged in a process of strategic planning. Emerging from that process, ALCM is focusing on four strategic priorities through 2028:

1. Expanding digital content;
2. Reenergizing Hearts • Hands • Voices local workshops;
3. Improving first-year membership renewal rates; and
4. Growing ALCM’s individual donor base.

For additional information, see ALCM's Strategic Framework document.

ALCM is excited to partner with you as we pursue these strategic priorities.

ALCM Instructional Videos

In our commitment to expanding ALCM's digital content (see "Celebrate and Grow" above), we are preparing a series of short instructional videos on a variety of topics. First topic in the series: conducting! Educator, choral conductor, and ALCM social media coordinator Joan Miller is preparing a series of videos breaking down conducting gesture. We hope these videos will help refresh and refine your conducting skills now that many choirs have returned from summer break! Watch our social media platforms for future videos and future series featuring a variety of skills and topics. Have a topic you'd like us to include? Contact Joan at socialmedia@alcm.org.

Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music:

For All the Saints

October 18-20, 2026

Concordia University Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Here are a few highlights:

• Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, keynote
• Marin Jacobson, Tuesday choral
• Choral Evening Prayer with Kantorei from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Kevin Hildebrand, conductor
• Hymn festival with Daniel Schwandt; commissioned hymn setting by David Cherwien
• Workshops; choral reading sessions; publisher exhibits.

Other presenters include Mark Bender, Barry Bobb, Sean Daenzer, Sam Eatherton, Anne Krentz Organ, David Porth, Peter Reske, Matthew Rosebrock, Emily Solomon, Stephen Starke, Elizabeth Urtel, and Emily Woock.

Conference information and registration at www.cuchicago.edu\LCM26

Part Time Remote Position Available

ALCM Advertising Coordinator

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians seeks a high achieving and collaborative part-time employee to serve as the solicitor of advertising for ALCM print and digital publications and conference exhibits. The individual will work with ALCM’s executive director and office staff to ensure tasks related to ALCM’s advertising are executed in a timely and high-quality manner.

Tasks include: motivated marketing and sales of ALCM advertising space; receipt of ads and managing communications with ALCM editors/designers, timely and regular invoicing of advertisers.

Essential qualifications: detail oriented; excellent written and verbal communication skills; successful project management and time management track record; proven ability to meet deadlines.

Exceptional candidates please email a cover letter and resume to jimrindelaub@alcm.org with “ADVERTISING COORDINATOR APPLICATION” in the subject line. Interview scheduling to begin October 12.

Videos & Photos from the St. Olaf Conference

Monday evening "Abendmusik and Festival of Hymns"

Plenary celebrating ALCM's 40th anniversary: "Taking ALCM Back to the Start"

J. S. Bach - "St. Matthew Passion"

Festival Eucharist with Farewell and Godspeed

Photos from the St. Olaf Conference

ALCM 40^th Anniversary Videos

ALCM Member 40th Anniversary Greetings Video

The Long Lost Mark Sedio 40th Anniversary ALCM Greeting

Staff Emails

With our office move last Fall, we no longer use Comcast as our internet service provider. While we still have access to emails that use the Comcast address (alcm.ofc@comcast.net), we do not know whether or how long that will continue, so please start using the email addresses below to contact a member of the staff directly. Not sure where to direct your question? Just use the general inquiries mailbox at office@alcm.org.

Jim Rindelaub, executive director - jimrindelaub@alcm.org

Betty Sergent, administrator - betty.sergent@alcm.org

Cheryl Dieter, special projects & advertising - cheryl.dieter@alcm.org

Matthew Wachtman - education coordinator - education@alcm.org

Joan Miller - social media coordinator - socialmedia@alcm.org

Clayton Faulkner - CrossAccent editor - crossaccent@alcm.org

Meghan Benson - In Tempo editor - intempo@alcm.org

Lara West - 2027 St. Louis conference chair - alcm2027@alcm.org

General inquiries - office@alcm.org

Having difficulty accessing the members area of the website? 

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.

Open Your Doors!

Host a Hearts • Hands • Voices Event!

ALCM is looking for congregations willing to host a Hearts • Hands • Voices event! As a host site, your role is to welcome your fellow church musicians to your parish, open the doors, turn on the lights, set up the instruments, and help make folks feel at home.

We’ll handle the rest. Education Coordinator Matthew Wachtman will secure the presenter, coordinate the event, and manage registration. You provide the space—we’ll bring the event!

Interested in hosting? Contact Matthew at education@alcm.org.

Do you have practical thoughts, suggestions, or resources that could help your fellow ALCM musicians? In Tempo is looking for articles for upcoming issues! The deadline to contribute to the next issue is November 1st. Questions and submissions may be directed to intempo@alcm.org.  

Free Planning Resources

Among the highlights of the Lectures in Church Music 2025 conference were the presentations by Lisa Clark and David Rogner as well as Steve Starke and Barry Bobb on their resource Beyond the Hymnals: Choosing Christian Song for the Lectionary/Series A. By exploring the work of 19 Lutheran hymn writers (ranging from the now sainted to current college students), they curated a list of 211 hymns that relate closely to the lectionary readings. There are pages for each Sunday and festival of the church year. Entries include the full text of the hymn, tune suggestions, and copyright information. Download it here!

The same four authors collaborated to produce Beyond the Hymnals: Choosing Christian Song for the Lectionary/Series B, which is now available as a free download. Print copies will be available at Lectures in Church Music later this month.

New Member Benefit:

ALCM Resources Advanced Search

The ALCM Resources advanced search function is up and running! With this new functionality you can:

• Perform keyword searches for articles in ALCM’s two publications, CrossAccent and In Tempo, webinars, and (in the future) recorded conference workshops and plenary sessions
• Search for all items related to a topic

To access this new feature, follow the link in the Members Area page of the website.

Kyries & Glorias

Kyries (prayer concerns) and Glorias (thanksgivings) as well as In memoria are posted on the ALCM website.

Kyrie

Jenny Hobby

Denise Kettelberger

Lois Rimbo

Ann Samuelson

In memoriam

Antonio Cruz, Sr.

Martin Pasi

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 founding member

ALCM Fall Grant Program

Applications are still being accepted for the Fall 2026 grant program. Current ALCM members are eligible to submit an application to request financial assistance for projects and initiatives that support ALCM’s mission to “nurture and equip musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.” Awards are intended to be supplemental rather than a sole funding source. Grants vary in size but are typically not more than $750.

Grants are awarded for various project types including but not limited to: support of the applicant’s church music ministry; personal study; research travel or a conference; purchase of instruments or equipment for church use or community outreach programs. Grants will not be considered for Hearts • Hands • Voices workshops, but additional options for funding are available for these events. If you are interested in hosting a Hearts • Hands • Voices workshop, please contact Matthew Wachtman at education@alcm.org and we will be happy to help find funding.

For additional information and to apply, visit https://alcm.org/grant-program/. Applications for Fall 2026 grants are due November 3.

Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM

Friday, October 23 - 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 ALCM board member Wally Horton 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. 

Follow the recurring link on this page to join each month.

Hymn Resources

The highlighted tune for October is EIN FESTE BURG (A Mighty Fortress). Settings for this tune (rhythmic and isometric) include: festival setting for brass quintet, organ, and assembly by Chad Fothergill; part for one or two B-flat trumpets written by Jean Boehler; soloed-out organ setting by Paul Otte; choral introduction and two-part mixed choir settings by Larry Finke; and procession/introduction by John Paradowski.

EIN FESTE BURG – Boehler (parts for 2 B-flat trumpets)

EIN FESTE BURG / A Mighty Fortress & God’s Word Is – Choral introduction – Finke

EIN FESTE BURG / God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage – 2 pt mxd choir – Finke

EIN FESTE BURG – Chad Fothergill (LSM free download) – keyboard & instruments

EIN FESTE BURG (rhythmic) – Otte harmonization

EIN FESTE BURG – Procession/intro for handbells – Paradowski

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!

Enrollment Open for Lutheran Summer Music 2027

Youth musicians in grades 8-12 are invited to Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) 2027 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN! LSM is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. Churches from around the country send students to LSM for an unforgettable summer of musical growth and connections in faith and community. Students work with nationally recognized faculty and gather daily to share musical gifts in worship. Academy offerings include large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, and electives like handbells, intro to the pipe organ, jazz, musical theatre, composition, conducting, church music, and more. Churches are encouraged to nominate students, and students can apply now through December 1 for a Priority Enrollment $100 discount.

LSM Program Overview: LSMacademy.org/program 

Nominate Students: LSMacademy.org/nominate

Free hymn settings from Lutheran Summer Music!

Six hymn-based settings are available for free download from LSM:

1. BEACH SPRING - Anne Krentz Organ
2. DUKE STREET - Chad Fothergill
3. EIN FESTE BURG - Chad Fothergill
4. HOLY MANNA - Anne Krentz Organ
5. KINGSFOLD - Anne Krentz Organ
6. THE ASH GROVE - Anne Krentz Organ

Links to these settings are also included in the "Hymn Settings" section of the members area of the ALCM website.

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 ALCM 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 cheryl.dieter@alcm.org.

AGO and ALCM Dual Certification

We are excited to announce the inaugural year of a new joint certification opportunity between the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Members of both organizations may apply for the joint Service Playing Certificate (SPC) through this collaborative program. The Service Playing Certificate (SPC) is a comprehensive, performance-based examination designed to assess organ skills in a worship setting. It includes psalm, anthem, and vocal solo accompaniment; hymn playing and transposition; sight reading; improvisation; and repertoire performance. The exam is administered in a live setting with a proctor and recording engineer present and is designed to simulate the demands of professional worship service playing. Candidates will pay the standard application rate, and at least one examiner will be a member of ALCM in good standing. Both organizations will formally recognize the resulting certificate.

Begin the application process.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer grader for ALCM service playing tests, please contact jimrindelaub@alcm.org with Service Playing Grader in the subject line. ALCM service playing graders must be members of both ALCM and AGO.

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:

• 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;
• Search engine for easy location of the topics you are seeking information on in ALCM publications and webinars
• 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.