View as Webpage

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

September 1, 2025 e-newsletter

Dear ALCM friends,

The fall season, for me, brings somewhat of a mixture of excitement and trepidation. A more flexible summer routine is replaced by a jam-packed calendar. Warm days give way to sweater weather, and soon enough, winter coats. There is wonderful new music to learn and teach, new hymns to introduce, and new rehearsal ideas to explore. I have spent time planning for rehearsals, worship, recitals, and have a stack of new music I want to learn. But I know from experience that some (many?) of the ambitious plans dreamed of in past months soon will get lost in the daily demands.

As church musicians, we know that uplifting and meaningful worship, choral offerings, and congregational song leadership do not just happen without planning and preparation. But when I am frustrated with those daily demands that seem to get in the way of the work, I try to remember that the daily demands are the actual vocation to which I am called. The person in front of me right now, the need that shows up at my door, the colleague with a question; these are the ones to whom I can show love and grace in the moment.

During workshops at the ALCM conference in August, the members of VOCES8 demonstrated this so well. At the end of each session, many of us wanted to talk to them, ask questions, and get photos. I can’t even imagine how many times during the year this must happen to them. And yet, they each engaged with attendees, responded and interacted so graciously and enthusiastically. What a gift that was for all those in attendance!

As a final note, I want to extend my gratitude to the many people who worked tirelessly to make the Raleigh-Druham Conference so outstanding. With the list of events advertised, I had high expectations for the conference, and my expectations were not only met, but exceeded! Thank you!

Grace and Peace,

Karen Black

ALCM President

ALCM is excited to announce From Generation to Generation: Now and Forever, a worship and music conference to be held July 13-16, 2026 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. St. Olaf was the site of ALCM's constituting convention held 40 years ago on August 10-13, 1986, and it once again will be the backdrop for a great week of learning, celebration, worship, and music. The theme mirrors that of ALCM's 40th anniversary celebration and recalls the language at the end of the Lord's Prayer, which declares that all we do is for the glory of God. Speaking of Soli Deo Gloria, the highlight event of our gathering, made possible through a generous gift from Pauline and John Kiltinen, will be the Wednesday evening presentation of J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Dr. Christopher Cock at the helm. Look for more information early this fall and for registration to open in mid-to-late October.

Call for 2026 Conference Workshop Proposals



ALCM is calling for workshop proposals for the worship and music conference to be held at St. Olaf, July 13-16, 2026. To submit your proposal, complete the form by September 30, 2025. Workshop proposals accepted by the committee for the 2026 conference will be notified by October 17, 2025. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee a workshop spot although proposals will also be considered for ALCM’s seasonal webinar series and future conferences. 

40th Anniversary Hymn Commission:

"O God, You Saw My Early Being"

In celebration of ALCM’s 40th anniversary in 2026, the ALCM board of directors commissioned Rev. Stephen Starke (text) and Robert Hobby (tune) to write a new hymn. “O God, You Saw My Early Being” is the result of that collaboration.

ALCM members are invited to use the hymn and setting in worship through December 31, 2025 without additional copyright permission. 

The Bach Seminars 2018-2024 - Free Offer

ALCM members Prof. Paul Westermeyer and Rev. John Setterlund announce the publication of their lecture notes: The Bach Seminars 2018-2024. A 300-page PDF is available free of charge, by request via email: john.setterlund@gmail.com.

September holds two great opportunities for Hearts • Hands • Voices workshops, one in Seward, NE and one in Lexington, SC. In Seward, registrants will participate in a hymn festival and learning sessions with Robert Hobby. Lexington attendees will spend the day with Chris Shepard and have the opportunity to peruse a special MorningStar Music display.

Registration information can be found on the ALCM website at alcm.org/hhv-events.

We had a joyful launch to our ALCM 40th anniversary celebration at the Biennial Conference in Raleigh-Durham! Attendees were delighted to sing the newly commissioned 40th anniversary hymn, "O God, You Saw My Early Being." Members are encouraged to use the hymn in their setting through the end of 2025. Instructions for use and files for download are located on that page.

Our 40th anniversary fundraising campaign is also off to a great start. The Board of Directors rejoiced to raise the target for the campaign to $440,440. Over $430,000 has already been given or pledged to the campaign. You are invited to become a campaign donor with a gift of any size, helping us meet our goal of 440 donors to ALCM in a single year. Learn more about the campaign and make a donation.

Raleigh-Durham Conference Reading Session Packets

A limited number of extra reading session packets from the 2025 ALCM Conference in Raleigh-Durham are available. Each packet includes the reading session material from Augsburg Fortress, Concordia Publishing House, ECS/MorningStar, and GIA Publishers (note: no Choristers Guild packets are available). To order a packet, complete this form and remit payment of $10 per packet for shipping and handling. Limit 2 packets per person.

Assembly/Congregational Song Contest

Do you have practical thoughts, suggestions, or resources that could help your fellow ALCM members? In Tempo is always looking for new contributors! The deadline to contribute to the next issue is October 15th. Questions and submissions may be directed to intempo@alcm.org.

Presenters include John Witvliet, plenary; Brenda Portman, organ concert; Hymn Festival: Hymns of David Rogner. Workshop leaders are: John Behnke, Barry Bobb, Lisa Clark, Sam and Lois Eatherton, Matthew Janssen, Benjamin Kolodziej, Anne Krentz Organ, Jim Rindelaub, Stephen Starke, and Emily Woock. Limited scholarships are available; the deadline to apply for scholarships is September 8. Registration and scholarship application are available at www.cuchicago.edu/LCM25. Early bird rates apply until September 15.

ALCM Fall Grant Program

Applications are still being accepted for the ALCM's Fall 2025 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 Adam Hughes at education@alcm.org and we will be happy to help find funding.

To apply, complete the grant application form. Applications for Fall 2025 grants will be accepted through Oct. 3.

Kyries & Glorias

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

Kyrie

Mark & Kathy Helge

Bob & Lois Rimbo

Bob Hobby*

Jenny Hobby

In memoriam

Henry Gerike

Donald Nevile

Kathleen Roderer

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 Founding Member

Fourth Friday Happy Hour with ALCM

Friday, September 26 - 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 Past-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.

call for manuscripts

Singing Welcome: Church Music's Role in Hospitality

Issue 33.3 (Fall/Winter 2025)

Manuscript Deadline: 15 September 2025

View the complete ALCM calendar.

Hymn Resources

This month's featured tune is BEACH SPRING. Below you will find a part for B-flat instrument by Jean Boehler and a setting for organ and with soloed melody by Paul Otte. In addition you will find a link to Anne Krentz Organ's setting from the 2025 Lutheran Summer Music Academy. This free downloadable setting is scored for solo instrument(s) and piano.

BEACH SPRING – Jean Boehler

BEACH SPRING – Paul Otte harmonization

BEACH SPRING - Anne Krentz Organ setting

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!

Having difficulty logging in to the members area? 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.

New FREE Arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music by Anne Krentz Organ

Download a new free arrangement from Lutheran Summer Music 2025 by ALCM member Anne Krentz Organ: Beach Spring for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. Based on the well-known shape-note hymn tune, this versatile work is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project and can be performed either in full or as individual movements. Listen and download for free at LSMacademy.org/lsmpress.

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;
• 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.