Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! As the music of Holy Week and Easter Sunday continues to ring in our ears, I’d like you to think about summer.
What’s happening this summer? The Church Music Workshops at Concordia Theological Seminary – Ft. Wayne, IN. This year there are opportunities for organists, AND choir directors, AND handbell directors/ringers. In other words, bring the whole crew.
These workshops are an excellent opportunity for fellowship, refreshment, and growth. I’ve attended twice over the last few summers and they were great experiences. See my previous reviews here and here.
- If you’re a musician, consider attending.
- If you’re a pastor, ask your musician(s) if they would like to attend.
- If you’re a lay person, offer to send your musician.
The following information is provided by Kantor Kevin Hildebrand:
Our two workshop weeks include our annual Primer Level organist workshop (June 15-19, 2009), designed specifically with the novice organist in mind.
This year we are also offering a new Church Music Week workshop (June 22-26).
Church Music Week is a Level One organist workshop, with the addition of sectionals for choir directors and handbell directors. The purpose of this new workshop is to provide a practical and resourceful place for all church musicians to study and grow together. All participants will begin the day with a group class in theology. The “hands on” part of the day will provide sectionals for organ, choir, and handbells, each with their own instructor. Regular practice time for organists will be included as usual.
We are hopeful that many organists, choir directors, and handbell directors from the same congregation will attend Church Music Week together in order to foster their musical skills and theological sensitivity.
If you have any questions about you or others participating in this year’s workshops, please feel free to contact me directly. Please also forward this information to other church musicians both in your congregation and neighboring congregations. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hildebrand
Concordia Theological Seminary