Hymn Requests are Welcome!

Since hymns are chosen to complement the readings and themes for Sunday morning worship, it can be some time before you have the opportunity to sing a favorite.

This Sunday's "Lion's Roar" will have a convenient form that you can use to make hymn requests. Completed forms can be left on the organ or given to Tony Cruz personally. (You don't have to use this form. It can be written on any piece of paper, but don't forget to include your name!). You can also e-mail your request to Tony at vespers@comcast.net.

I will do my best to let you know when your hymn will be sung.

Your hymn does not have to be in Evangelical Lutheran Worship to be considered.

The picture that accompanies this article was taken by St. Mark's own Bill Daugherty when the ELW was dedicated.

ALCM: Houston - Look Who I Ran Into and Thank you

Look who I ran into at the ALCM conference! Jim R. was there representing the Chorister's Guild of which he is the Executive Director. He asked me to extend his greeting to everyone back at St. Mark's. Later, in the hotel lobby, I ran into his wife Stephanie and their son Matthew. Stephanie also sends greetings back to the St. Mark's family.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to the people of St. Mark's for sending me to the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians biennial conference. It was an extremely valuable experience and I learned a great deal. The 2009 conference is set to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ALCM: Houston on Wednesday 7/11/2007

On the final day of the conference, Morning Prayer was sung at Trinity Lutheran (LCMS) Church (home of a 1954 Holtkamp organ) using the new hymnal "The Lutheran Service Book."
That afternoon held a final workshop session, the last chance to shop the exhibits, and closing Eucharist at Palmer Episcopal Church. Palmer boasts an organ built by the Charles Fisk Company. The service, accompanied by the the 1990 AGO National Young Artist Competition winner Matthew Dirst, included the annointing of our hands for service in the song of the church. I have included two pictures of Palmer, one of the front high altar and one of the pipe organ in the balcony.

ALCM: Houston on Tuesday 7/10/2007

Tuesday was probably the busiest day. It began with Jazz Morning Prayer at First Presbyterian Church (bottom)and included a plenary session with Reverend David Miller and two workshop sessions.

In the afternoon we went to Christ the King Lutheran Church, home of 1995 Noack organ (middle picture) where we heard a recital by the German organist Ludger Lohman.

After that, there was a visit to The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University (top photo). The organ is a Fisk-Rosales installed in 1997 in the Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall. As you can see, the room fits the organ perfectly (and it should, it was built for the organ!). The acoustics were incredible. Especially suited to French organ literature, it had some of the most beautiful string stops that I've ever heard. Now I know what I want for my birthday. . .

As if that wasn't enough, we went back to to Christ the King for a Bach Vespers Service featuring the Bach Society and J.S. Bach's Magnificat. With an orchestra, a full choir, and a singing assembly of around 300, this was definitely a highlight of the week. Now I know what I want for Christmas. . .

ALCM: Houston on Monday 7/9/2007

Monday morning's featured speaker was Don Saliers and he spoke regarding the conference theme of "From Generation to Generation." Dr. Saliers' daughter Emily is one of the singing duo known as the Indigo Girls. His address included taped coverage of their interaction as it related to music of the church and music promoting social concerns.

In the afternoon we went to Via de Matel, a Roman Catholic convent which is the mother house for the Sisters of Charity. We heard an organ concert by Robert Bates, held an evening prayer service in the manner of Taize, then had a delicious Texas barbecue dinner!

The evening was finished in the Via de Matel Chapel (pictured) with a concert by the Houston Chamber Choir. Their presentation included "The Souls of the Righteouss" by David Cherwien who was also one of the conference clinicians.

ALCM: Houston on Sunday 7/8/2007

The day started at 12:00 pm with registration and reading sessions (an important way for Music Directors to find new music). In the afternoon we headed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church for a hymn festival. The organist was Aaron David Miller playing the Schantz organ that was installed there in 1981 (with additions in 1996 and 2004). About 300 Lutheran Musicians attended the conference and we filled every venue not only with glorious singing, but with our presence!

The day finished with a fiesta back at the hotel complete with a mariachi band.

ALCM: Houston on Saturday 7/7/2007

As most of you know, I just returned from the Association of Lutheran Musicians Biennial Conference in Houston. The next few posts will give you a brief description of the activities for each day. Saturday was centered at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church where we particpated in workshops ("Can't Wait to Sing - Directing Children's Choirs," "Cooking with Spice") and finished the day with a hymn festival by two of the Lutheran Church's most talented musicians, David Cherwien and Mark Sedio. The hymn festival was titled "Come, All You People" and covered a range of the church's song from traditional hymns to African songs. It also featured the choir of St. Luke's Methodist Church.