Nurturing Future Church Musicians
A few months back in the Lutheran Witness (official periodical of the LCMS), the issue was centered around the need for pastors and how we can encourage men to consider this vocation. The August 2008 edition of the Lutheran Witness has an article that explores the need for church musicians and encouraging children to consider [...]
Hymn Boards and Their Use in Early Lutheranism
“Hymn Boards and Their Use in Early Lutheranism.” That sounds like the title of a dissertation on an obscure facet of Lutheran history. While I have no idea if anyone has actually researched the history of the hymn board, I did find a passing reference to it in my latest lunch time reading – a [...]
Thoughts on the Prelude
When you look back on this past Sunday (or any Sunday you can remember), what were you doing while waiting for the worship service to begin? Praying? Reviewing the service? Talking? Listening to the prelude? I would surmise most organists try to choose preservice music that reflects the theme of the day and the hymns [...]
Acts 29
1. AND IT CAME TO PASS, when Paul was in Corinth, he and certain disciples came upon a mob that was stoning an organist. 2. And Paul said unto them, “What then hath he done unto thee that his head should be bruised?” 3. And the people cried with one voice, “He hath played too [...]
Johann Walter – First Lutheran Kantor
On April 24 (based on the Calendar of Commemorations for Lutheran Service Book), the church remembers Johann Walter – the first Lutheran kantor. Here is a brief biography from the LCMS Commission on Worship page. Johann Walter, Kantor Johann Walter (1496-1570) began service at the age of 21 as a composer and bass singer in [...]
The Kantor "Attitude"
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 [...]
His Voice – Newsletter of Good Shepherd Institute
I’ve been waiting for some to write this blog post, but was waiting for the new semi-annual installment of His Voice to be published by the Good Shepherd Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary. I knew it had to be coming in either March or April and it was posted on the GSI website today. Definitely [...]
Paul Manz – A Life Revealed
If you are a parish organist, you are probably familiar with the organ music of Paul Manz. If you are not a parish organist, you are unknowingly aware of Paul Manz via your organist who probably has used his hymn improvisations in worship services. Up until recently I was puzzled why Concordia Publishing House had [...]
2008 Organist Workshops
Are you a Lutheran organist wanting to become a better musician AND learn some Lutheran theology AND meet some other organists? If so, take a look at attending one of the 2008 Organist Workshops at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. They have recently posted their 2008 schedule on their website. This summer they [...]
Walter E. Buszin – Wise Counsel for Today
I was unfamiliar with the name Walter Buszin until the summer of 2007 when I discovered that one of the most enduring choral collections of the 20th century – 101 Chorales Harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach – was edited by Buszin. Prior to this, I had a dear friend from church who had told me [...]
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 . . .