Association of Lutheran Church Musicians
March 1, 2016 e-newsletter

Lenten greetings, friends and colleagues!
 
My head is spinning - I know I shouldn't say "literally" - but it sure feels like it! No matter how much advance planning one does, it is tough when Easter is so early in the year. Didn't we just celebrate Christmas? Epiphany? And now, even Ash Wednesday is becoming distant in the rearview mirror. How many of us, me included, are ready for a vacation, when we might just have taken one?
 
I don't have great advice, except to take it a minute at a time, an hour at a time, a day at a time. And when you are resting for a minute, or an hour, consider how you will be renewed at the end, even as you lead your congregations through their own Lenten renewal. Will you schedule a massage for the day after Easter? Get registered for a summer ALCM conference? (My favorite answer!) Whatever it is, plan it now - have it ready so that when the Easter festivities are over, you can take a deep breath and be ready for the next challenge.
 
In Christ,
Julie Grindle
President-Elect
Registration Is Open for Summer Conferences

July 6-8, 2016
Trinity English Lutheran Church
Fort Wayne, IN

"Let All the People Praise You"
Singing through the Generations 
July 26-28, 2016
Lutheran School of Theology
Chicago, IL

Blowin' in the Wind . . . stirred, anointed, fashioned, and swept into service by the Holy Spirit


June 27-29, 2016
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Franklin, TN

Soli Deo Gloria!
Bach for Everyone 
July 14-16, 2016
St. John's Lutheran Church
Sacramento, CA

For the sake of . . . 

Register now to take advantage of lower "early bird" pricing!
 
Thrivent Choice Dollars Benefit ALCM

Thrivent supports certain non-profits by allowing its eligible members to direct charitable funds to the organization through its "Thrivent Choice" program. If you are a member of Thrivent and are eligible to direct "Choice Dollars," please select ALCM as a recipient. There are two ways to do this:
  1.  Go to Thrivent.com and log in to your account. Go to the "Search Organizations" page and type: "association of lu" in the organization name box and click the "Search" button. Select "Association of Lutheran Church Musicians" and follow the instructions for directing your Choice Dollars to ALCM.
  2.  Call 1-800-8474836 and say "Thrivent Choice" after the greeting.

Many thanks to those ALCM members and others who have directed their "Thrivent Choice" dollars to ALCM. It has made a difference!

New Hymn Prizes 

Watch the LutheranArts.org website in mid-March  to read exciting news about three inaugural Martin Luther Hymn Prizes at $6,000 each.  More new music is on the horizon to honor the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017!
The Harstad Fine Arts Series, Inc. (HFAS) is named after ALCM member Bonnie Harstad, who died in September 2014 while serving as Associate in Ministry for Worship at Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY. The fine art series is a continuation of her vision to bring the arts to the community, and it honors her years of service as an outstanding musician both at Faith and in the Lexington community.
Bach Tage

The Tenth Annual Bach Tage
at Mount Olive Lutheran Church
3045 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis MN
June 4/5, 2016
The Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago, in partnership with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, presents the new "Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition," which will be awarded every other year to a current student at a Lutheran university or seminary.
The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is proud to announce seven PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTERS (POEs) for students aged 13-18, one POE (Advanced) for students entering grades 9-12; and one POE+ for adults in 2016. PIPE ORGAN ENCOUNTER is an introduction to the pipe organ through instruction in organ playing, repertoire, history, design, and construction. Complete contact information for each weeklong Pipe Organ Encounter can be found in The American Organist Magazine and online at www.agohq.org. 
 
Concert Pays Tribute to Walter Pelz

On Palm Sunday, March 20, The Messiah Festival of Arts and the Bethany Oratorio Society will present "Lift Up Your Voice! A Celebration of the Music of Dr. Walter L. Pelz." The concert will take place in Presser Hall Auditorium on the Bethany College campus at 3 p.m.

The Palm Sunday concert is among the many events scheduled during the 10-day Messiah Festival of the Arts. A complete schedule that includes all art, theater and music activities can be found at www.messiahfestival.org. Tickets for the Palm Sunday concert are $22 and $25; they can be purchased online at the Messiah Festival website or by calling the ticket office at (785) 821-3380, ext. 8229.