It was with some gladness that I came across the following selection in Key Words in Music edited by Carl Schalk.

“. . . The Lutheran cantor viewed the use of his artistic gifts primarily as a summons from God to preach the Gospel. He did not consider himself an individual artist who was to receive honor and acclaim through his own doing. He regarded his work as existing only for the reason of purposeful union with God and the church.” (Key Words in Music [1978 ed], editor Carl Schalk, page 47)

While the sinful flesh can revel in the accolades heaped on him by others, the Christian, fulfilling his vocation in faith, looks with utter dependence on what God has done for him.

Please keep your parish musicians in your prayers as they serve your congregations with the Gospel.  Lutheran Service Book has a prayer for church musicians and artists:

God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be with Your servants who make art and music for Your people that with joy we on earth may glimpse Your Beauty. Bring us to the fulfillment of that hope of perfection that will be ours as we stand before Your unveiled glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (136)