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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
September 1, 2023 e-newsletter
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Greeting from President-Elect Karen Black | |
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Greetings ALCM Colleagues!
I am humbled and honored to be serving as your new president-elect. ALCM has accompanied me for my entire professional journey, and I look forward to this new role. For me, there have been seasons of greater or lesser involvement depending on the current stage of life, but now is the time for the greater! And always, ALCM has remained an important part of my life through publications, conferences, and friendships. I am grateful to all who have worked hard and given so much to keep us moving forward and strengthened this organization over the years.
Just like we all have those seasons of life, we have seasons of the year. Many of us celebrate several New Year’s Days every year: January 1; the first Sunday of Advent; and around this time, the beginning of the school and church programming year. Many of us were energized for this new year by the July ALCM Conference in Philadelphia. Thanks to Tim Getz and the entire planning team for their work in presenting such a great event. I am guessing no conference committee has ever had to work so long on a conference! It was such a joy to be together again in person, and I returned with many new ideas and resources to use. If you were unable to join in person, I hope you will take advantage of the conference recordings that are available for purchase.
As you embark on your New Year, and perhaps new season of life, I wish you energy, courage, and moments of rest along the way!
Karen Black
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Newly-Elected Board Members
The following ALCM members have been elected to the board of directors:
President-Elect
Karen Black
Directors (3-year term)
Tony Cruz
Wallace Horton
Carol McDaniel
Directors (1-year term)
Kim Cramer
Omaldo Perez
Read more about the board members
Out-going Board Members
Many thanks to the following out-going board members for their service on the board:
Jeremy Bankson
Kevin Barger
Karen Foote
Jim Hild
Tom Mueller
Valerie Stone
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Conference Recordings Now Available for Purchase
It's a month later than we'd hoped, but we're pleased to announce that the Philadelphia conference recordings are now available for purchase ($345 for members; $395 for non-members). Like the Members Area of the website, you will have access to the conference recordings as long as your ALCM membership remains active.
Included in the package are recordings and handouts from:
- Worship services, concerts
- Plenaries, choral reading sessions, ALCM business meeting (including awards)
- Skills workshops and masterclasses (first session Wednesday; continued on Saturday)
- Workshops (workshops were offered twice, so there are two recordings of each workshop)
Additional information about conference offerings is available in the conference book.
Click here to purchase the conference recordings package. ALCM members: be sure to sign in to the Members Area of the website in order to secure the reduced member rate. If you have forgotten your password, or if you have never logged in to the members area, click the "Forgot your password?" link in the login box to set your password.
Questions? Send an email to office@alcm.org.
A Few Choral Reading Session Packets Are Still Available
Choral reading session packets from the Philadelphia conference are available for purchase through September 15: $8/packet to cover postage & handling; limit 2 packets.
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Save the dates:
Monday, July 22 to Thursday July 25, 2025
Retaining our now-established pattern of holding a conference at Valparaiso University in even-numbered years, we will meet next summer on the VU campus under the theme, "From Generation to Generation: Ponder Anew." This annual conference provides opportunities for attendees to strengthen their gifts and explore new skills through workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. In addition, the 2024 conference will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion. More information will be coming shortly, but mark your calendars now!
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Announcing…the Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, October 15–17, 2023, at Concordia University Chicago! Plenaries include Stephen Starke and a Publishers’ Forum. Organ recital by Craig Sproat, Starke Hymn Festival with Concordia’s Kapelle and Grace Lutheran Church’s Choir. Special track for hymn text writers and hymn tune composers. Monday morning-only registration for pastors and anyone interested in congregation song. Other presenters include Anne Krentz Organ, Andrew Schaeffer, David Mennicke, Barry Bobb, and others. Dedication of Martin Ott practice organ, a gift from Walter L. Pelz. Special commemorative events to observe the 100th anniversary of Richard Hillert.
For schedule and registration information, please click here.
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ALCM Announces New Grant Program
The ALCM board is pleased to announce the establishment of a grant program providing financial assistance for projects and initiatives that support ALCM’s mission to “nurture and equip musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.”
Who may submit a grant request? Anyone who is an ALCM member!
How much? $500-$1500, though larger amounts may be considered at the discretion of the review committee.
What kind of projects? You decide! Some possibilities include: personal study; support of the music ministry in your congregation; research travel or a conference; presenting a community event or Hearts, Hands, Voices workshop; purchase of instruments or equipment to use to support a new musical ensemble in your congregation or community outreach program. You decide what kind of project—use your imagination!
How do I apply? Complete this application form. Applications will be accepted August 1, 2023 – October 1, 2023.
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FALL “HYMN SINGS” in REGION 2 | |
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A new hymn collection by the Reverend Dr. Paul Weber, So Great a Cloud of Witnesses, will be introduced at “Hymn Sings” in Region 2 this fall. Each “Hymn Sing” will affirm the importance of assembly song and is intended for lay members, musicians, and clergy. Dr. Weber will give background to his hymns before they are sung and will share “A Biblical Basis for the Church’s Song.” View a complete list of dates and locations.
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Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM
Friday, September 22 - 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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If you have attended or plan to attend a conference or workshop and would like to write a short report on your experience for CrossAccent, please feel free to contact editor Clayton Faulkner (crossaccent@alcm.org). Examples of recent and upcoming conferences include:
Lectures in Church Music (Concordia University Chicago)
American Guild of Organists (chapter, regional, or national events)
Choristers Guild Institute
Lutheridge Adult Music Week
The Hymn Society Annual Conference
North American Academy of Liturgy
National Conference for Sacred Music
Institute of Liturgical Studies
ALCM Biennial Conference (Philadelphia)
Calvin Symposium on Worship
Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (St. Olaf College)
Society for Christian Scholarship in Music
American Choral Directors Association National Conference
Hearts, Hands, Voices workshops
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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.
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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.
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On the September Calendar | |
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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music
It’s not too soon to nominate a student for LSM 2024. With enrollment for next summer already over 50% full, it will be important for interested students to apply early! Know a high school student who would benefit from the life-giving and joyful musical community at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate, or contact admissions@lutheransummermusic.org for more information. LSM 2024 takes place at Valparaiso University from June 30-July 28, 2024.
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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 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:
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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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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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