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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
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December 1, 2015 e-newsletter
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 "Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come." As we begin this new season of Advent, we pray for God's presence in our lives: in our families, our communities, our nation, our world. As we prayed in the psalm from the first Sunday of Advent, "Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths" (Psalm 25:4). As church musicians, we have the unique opportunity to offer our assemblies words that sing of encouragement and healing, words that call for justice, words that shape us ever more closely into the people God intends for us to be.
In this busy season, while we carry out the liturgies of Advent and prepare for Christmas and Epiphany, know that your work is valued. Know that you make a difference in the lives of the people you serve. Know that you are blessed, and that you are a blessing. Anne Krentz Organ ALCM President
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Board Meeting Highlights
The ALCM board met via conference call on November 9th. During that meeting they:
- Reviewed preparations for a 2016 operating budget. Final approval is anticipated in December.
- Heard an update of plans for the 2017 biennial conference in Minneapolis. The planning group is well underway.
- Discussed possibilities for establishment of an Endowment Fund. Research will continue on this front.
- Heard reports of exciting regional conferences to be held in 2016. We look forward to these great events across the country!
- Noted that there is still time to provide feedback for the statement on vocation presented at last summer's conference (see article below). The team is compiling responses in preparation for editing before sending it out to the regional conferences for final review.
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Thanks for your contributions!
The response from ALCM members and friends to our annual fund appeal this year has been very encouraging! We are well on our way to increasing the number of donors to our fund. Are you planning to make a year-end gift to ALCM? To have your gift listed among our 2015 donations, it must be received in the ALCM office by December 31, 2015. There are several ways to donate:
- Make an online donation through our secure website
- Call the ALCM office at 800-624-2526 to pay by credit card over the phone
- Include a donation when you renew your membership (online or by check)
- Send a check to:
ALCM Annual Fund
810 Freeman Street
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Remember that your contributions to ALCM are tax-deductible!
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ALCM Stocking-Stuffers and More!
  Our original "the more we have, the more you save" sale was a great success, and we continue to offer ALCM recordings and other items at a great discount. Whether you're looking for a stocking-stuffer, some new art for your office wall, or a new bag to get better organized in the new year, the ALCM web site is your place to shop! Place your order online or by phone (800-624-2526) by December 20th to ensure delivery before Christmas.
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NLC 2016 Choral Tune-Up with Dr. René Clausen
Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 9:00am-12:00pm
St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, MN
TuneUp your church choir with Dr. René Clausen and the National Lutheran Choir!
Choir members and individuals are invited to learn music and work on choral technique alongside the 63 members of the NLC. The goal is to help choirs prepare specific pieces for presentation in their own parishes.
NLC is pleased to welcome back Dr. René Clausen, acclaimed composer and conductor of the Concordia College Choir (Moorhead, MN), to lead the 2016 Choir TuneUp. This year's literature features SATB works of well-known Minnesota composers including Matthew Culloton, Charles Forsberg, clinician René Clausen and Dr. Kenneth Jennings (1925-2015).
The TuneUp will be followed by an optional lunch for choir directors, where there will be time to ask questions and visit with Dr. Clausen, David Cherwien and others. The luncheon is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and we warmly invite all directors to attend.
Registration deadline is January 8. Click here to register.
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There's Still Time for Your Input
A new document, "Called to Be a Living Voice" is currently under review by the ALCM membership. This draft document is an important addition to our 2003 Statement on Music and Worship. It attempts to more specifically describe who we are and what we are called to do as church musicians. We believe that this document will be a valuable planning tool as we seek to serve our members in the future. If you have not yet done so, please read it and send your comments to Tom Schmidt (task force chair) at tkschmidt@aol.com. The plan is to have further discussions about the document at the summer regional conferences in 2016, followed next fall by an e-mail vote for approval.
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Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) Music Department seeks a full-time faculty with a superb skill set in handbell conducting. This position is located at the Mequon, WI campus.
The ideal candidate will conduct both a touring and non-touring handbell choir. The touring ensemble (Alleluia Ringers) has established a celebrated reputation both domestically and internationally by its recording and live performances. Candidates will be expected to display evidence of superb musicianship, organizational acumen, interpersonal skills and departmental collaboration. In addition to the handbell aspect to the position, the preferred candidate will possess choral conducting abilities as they will conduct a non-touring choral ensemble within the department. The final aspect of the teaching load will be assigned within the candidate's area of expertise and area of interest such as applied music (organ), music history or other areas of interest and/or mutual departmental need.
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January 6-8, 2016
Corpus Christi, TX
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A Tribute to Dr. Walter L. Pelz
Bethany College and the Messiah Festival of the Arts (Lindsborg, Kansas) will present "A Tribute to Dr. Walter L. Pelz," a concert on Palm Sunday 2016 featuring works by the composer, as well as a narrative describing his life and career in music ministry. Friends, former students, former parishioners and others are invited to share stories and thoughts about Dr. Pelz. These will be compiled and presented to him in a memory book and possibly shared in the performance. Contact Dr. Mark Lucas with any questions at 785-212-1362. Please participate by sending materials to: Bethany College Department of Music c/o Linda Martin 335 E Swensson Lindsborg, KS 67456 or
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Have you checked out the " Kyries & Glorias" area of the ALCM website lately? New "Glorias" were added during November -- more reasons to give thanks. If you have something for which you'd like to give thanks (Gloria) or if you have a prayer concern (Kyrie), complete the request form.
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Collaborate * Innovate * Invigorate
A Worship Symposium for Clergy, Musicians, and Laity
Bethany College
Lindsborg, Kansas
January 22-23, 2016
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Quicklinks
 
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