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

Summer greetings to all!
 
I hope you are each finding some rest and relaxation during these too-short summer months. I find myself wanting to plan the Fall program, but it's hard to concentrate when hiking or swimming or reading or (insert wishful thinking gerund here) are calling. 
 
I am continuing to help the 2017 biennial conference committee do their planning, and let me tell you, it will be an exciting time next year in Minneapolis! Our theme is "Rise, Remember Well the Future", and not only will we hear great speakers/musicians on the future of the cantor and the church's song (Mel Bringle, Chad Fothergill, Daniel Schwandt), we will also spend some time at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville; St. Olaf College, Northfield; St. Olaf Catholic Church (with the National Lutheran Choir); and Central Lutheran. This occasion will also mark the official end of the year-long celebration of ALCM's thirty years, which we will celebrate in many ways. One of the most exciting is that our sister organization, LutheranArts, will be giving away short sabbatical getaways at the conference as a  gift  and everyone registered for the conference will be entered to win! Mark those calendars now - July 10-13 in Minneapolis! You don't want to miss this.
 
I look forward to greeting those of you at our Region 1 conference in a few days, and for the rest of you, God's blessings and peace during this green time.
 
Julie Grindle
ALCM President-Elect

Celebrating 30 Years!

In October, 1985, approximately 140 church musicians from across the United States and Canada met in Columbia, South Carolina. That meeting led to the founding of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in the summer of 1986. And so ALCM is celebrating its 30th anniversary! One of the first things you'll notice is that, for this 30th anniversary year, our logo includes the addition of the words "30 Years." That is one very simple change. Watch for additional events and resources over the next year! 
Thank you, ALCM donors!

From the Development Committee
Mike Krentz

We did it! One year ago in July I stood before the ALCM members assembled in Atlanta holding the Spring 2015 issue of CrossAccent. I showed them pages 26 and 27 of that issue, on which we said Thank you to our 2014 donors. I challenged them, saying that "when the Spring 2016 issue arrives, I want there to be less white space and a smaller type font in the list of names of all our donors."
We did it, on both counts! The number of people who gave a gift to ALCM increased significantly from 2014 to 2015. So this is just another "thank you" to everyone who makes a contribution to ALCM, but especially to those who gave a financial gift in 2015.
I also mentioned that 2016 would be our 30th anniversary. Look for more information about our anniversary celebration in the coming weeks and on into the fall.
There's still time to attend:
2016 Regional Conferences

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

"Let All the People Praise You"
Singing through the Generations
Online registration is closed, but walk-ins are welcome.

July 25-26 - Augsburg Fortress Music Clinic
July 26-28, 2016 - Region 3 Conference
Lutheran School of Theology
Chicago, IL

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

Online registration closes Thursday, July 21.

July 14-16, 2016
St. John's Lutheran Church
Sacramento, CA

For the sake of . . .
Online registration closes Friday, July 8.


Haven't registered yet? 
Click on the links above to go to the main page
for each conference.
Voting Closes July 3rd! 

Elections for the national office of Director at Large as well as regional officers are still under way, but not for long. If you have not already voted, please take a moment to do it now. The emails containing voting information and links were sent out on June 14 (Regions 1, 3, & 4) and June 15 (Region 3). Vote now!
"Called to Be a Living Voice"
Final Draft Posted 

In the fall of 2014 a survey was sent to all ALCM members, and responses to that survey made it clear that the role of the church musician had changed dramatically in the 21st century. At its January 2015 meeting, the ALCM board reviewed results of the survey as well as the "2003 Statement on Worship & Music." The decision was made to convene a task force to review the 2003 document and to create a document that might more accurately reflect the specific role of church musicians today. Copies of the initial draft of their document ("Called to Be a Living Voice") were distributed at the biennial conference in Atlanta in July 2015, and then in September the draft was made available to the entire membership. The task force reworked the document based on comments and feedback they received. The result of their work is posted on the website. In September the membership will be asked to vote whether or not to approve the statement. If approved, it will stand alongside and complement the "2003 Statement on Worship & Music" to reflect the role of the church musician in today's ever-changing, ever-reforming church.
In Tempo Update

In the June issue of the e-newsletter we reported that the board decided to increase publication of In Tempo to three times a year beginning in 2017. We are now happy to report that the publication schedule has been moved up, so we will begin publishing three issues beginning in 2016! The second issue has just gone to the printer and will be arriving within the next few weeks. A third issue for 2016 will be sent out this Fall.
CRCCM Announces Composition Competition 

The Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians (CRCCM) announces a competition for newly composed settings of the proper texts of the Entrance and Communion Antiphons with psalm verses from the Roman Missal (pub. 2010) for the Ordination of Priests. The ordination of priests is usually celebrated in a festive setting in the cathedral church.
 
A single prize of $2,000 USD will be awarded for the winning settings. The texts are to be scored for congregation, choir, organ and optional instruments. Submission deadline is October 30, 2016.
 
A detailed explanation of the contest rules, full texts, instrumentation and submission requirements can be found at www.crccm.org.