2010 Summer Organist Workshops
Once again I’m making my annual “plug” for the summer Organist Workshops at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. I can’t recommend these enough to parish organists of all skill levels. For three of the last four summers I’ve had the joy of studying improvisation with Kantor Hildebrand, organ playing with Kantor Resch, and handbells with Kantor Muth, in addition to studying theology, meeting fellow musicians, and being fed with the daily rhythm of prayer services.
Church Music Workshops
Don’t forget to take a look at the Church Music Workshops being offered at Concordia Theological Seminary this summer. They are well worth your consideration.
Church Music Workshops @ CTSFW
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.
Advent Devotions
If you’re looking for an audio devotion for Advent, meander over to Concordia TheoBLOGical Seminary. The faculty, staff, and students at the seminary have put together a daily devotion that you can listen to on their site or subscribe to in iTunes.
Te Deum at Kramer Chapel
While reviewing some discussion threads over at Wittenberg Trail, a comment by Susan reminded me of my first experience singing Stephen Starke’s paraphrase of the Te Deum – “We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” (LSB 941). Susan wrote, “Go to Kramer Chapel and hear those men singing Starke’s Te Deum. When you can breathe again, you’ll want to sing it to.”
His Voice – Newsletter of Good Shepherd Institute
For those of you unfamiliar with the Good Shepherd Institute of Pastoral Theology and Sacred Music for the Church, it is “dedicated to hearing and discerning the clear voice of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, through preaching, historic liturgies, substantive catechesis, and hymns that communicate faith in Christ in the church’s trinitarian teaching and worship.” You can learn more about their mission and vision by going here.
They have a number of resources available including published journals from their annual conferences and a book on the life of Walter Buszin.
The Good Shepherd Institute is a blessing to the church. Thank You!
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 are offering Organist Primer and Level 1. You don’t have to be an organ savant to attend – Kantor Resch and Kantor Hildebrand work with you at your current skill level.
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 on a number of occasions about a treasured book from her younger choral years – a book of Bach chorales. She evidently was talking of the Buszin edition.
Difficult Hymns That Are Not Difficult
Difficult hymns don’t have to remain difficult. By a careful and deliberate plan, difficult hymns can become beloved and familiar.
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 can improvise.
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