Improvisation for Organists
My previous post on hymn introductions (aka Invitation to Sing) got me to thinking about improvisation. To the average organist, it may sound like a daunting task or something that only “experienced” organists can do. You may be thinking, “I’ll stick to playing what’s on the page.” Let me tell you fellow organists: you too [...]
Invitation to Sing
When I went back to an Organist Workshop last summer at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, Kantor Resch reminded us of the importance of how we introduce and lead hymns. Subconsciously I knew this, but it was good to be reminded and reinforced. As I recall, Kantor Resch referred to the hymn introduction [...]
Let God’s Children Sing
Over at Cranach, Gene Edward Veith has a discussion on children and the music they sing in worship — solid hymnody and liturgy vs. “cutesey wootsey” music. It is a high responsibility to choose the music we place into the mouth of God’s people – whether children or adult. These songs should not be trite [...]
The Lutheran Choir
What is the mission and responsibility of the Lutheran choir? Oftentimes we think the role of the choir is to sing choral anthems. Does the choir have some “higher” purpose? Awhile back I came across the following quote in a book entitled Conduct of the Service by Rev. Dr. Arthur Carl Piepkorn which sparked my [...]
Perspective and Encouragement on Musical Vocation
Sometimes church musicians, whether professional or amateur, get discouraged. We wonder if the time and energy we put in each week matter. We can get burnt out, especially in those seasons of the church year where there are mid-week services, special occasions, and high feast days and the hours of preparation that goes into them. [...]
Powerpoint and Hymnals
Do we even need hymnals given that more and more churches are getting on the Powerpoint bandwagon? That question was posed to me by a leader in my church during a discussion on Lutheran Service Book. To be honest, I was taken aback. No hymnals? I shouldn’t be surprised — many churches that have hymnals [...]
Kantor School (aka Organist Workshop)
As is often the case, when we have a mountain top experience we get excited. This summer I had my mountain top experience — the opportunity to attend an Organist Workshop at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 2007 schedule included Primer, Level 2, and Organ Improvisation workshops. This year’s workshops are coming [...]
So What Does a Kantor Do?
When I did a Google search to see how others defined a “Kantor” or “Cantor”, I didn’t find too much. I found the obvious — who were Kantors, but not what they did. Johann Walter was the first Lutheran Kantor. J.S. Bach is a familiar name. One resource that was enlightening was from the Association [...]
Prelude to a Blog
Greetings and welcome to the inaugural post at the “Lutheran Kantor” blog. You may wearily say, “Another blog?” I have often asked myself this same question before I started this endeavor. What will make this blog unique? Will anyone actually read what I write? I write as a confessional Lutheran church musician who has a [...]
Kantor’s Reading List- Circ de Soleil -- From Church to Circus Pastor Peters
- Can We Still Call Ourselves the Church of J. S. Bach? Pastor Peters
- Pastoral Care Done by the Laity; Lay Work Done by the Pastor Pastor Peters
- Your Church May Not Be a Church If . . . Paul T. McCain
- What Makes Lutheran Worship Lutheran? Stephen R. Johnson
Share your thoughts . . .