From Generation to Generation: My Experience with the ALCM at Valparaiso University

All professions have their own professional associations to help members keep up with industry trends, maintain standards of excellence, and be part of a community of people who share common goals. For Lutheran church musicians, that organization is the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

ALCM, a pan-Lutheran group, nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church's song.

The recent conference titled "From Generation to Generation" fulfilled that mission well. This conference was sponsored and organized by Region One, but members traveled from across the country. We were eager to be in the company of colleagues and friends after two and a half years of travel restrictions and cancelled events.

For me, it was also a reunion with most of my classmates from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

My classmates from TLS!

Held at Valparaiso University, the ALCM conference coincided with Lutheran Summer Music (LSM). LSM is the nation's premier faith-based music academy for high school students. This convergence of ALCM and LSM brought the generations of church musicians together in a way that doesn't often happen on a large scale.

Daily worship was an important part of each day. Morning Prayer in the famed Chapel of the Resurrection followed breakfast each morning. We returned there each night for Evening Prayer. LSM youth served in many of the leadership roles at these services, serving as cantors, organists, lectors, and more.

One of the most memorable events was an Evening Prayer service that included a hymn festival! Singing hymns with a full chapel was a deeply satisfying way to finish the day.

Most of the day was given to workshops. I chose three sessions on Composing/Arranging for the Assembly. I also attended sessions on choral warm-ups, bulletin design, and copyright concerns. All sessions were led by knowledgeable people who are leaders in the field of church music.

One way to inspire musicians is through concerts - and we heard two amazing groups perform.

Cantus is an American groups whose concert "My Journey Yours" told the stories of immigrants to America through reading first-person accounts. A rich tapestry of choral music, most of it by modern composers, complemented the readings.

Cantus - from the website

The second concert was by the Calmus Ensemble from Leipzig, Germany. The five singers gave an incredible all Bach, all acapella concert. It came in three parts featuring music by J. S. Bach - including sung versions of his organ works! At the center was Bach's famous motet, Jesu meine Freude.

Calmus Ensemble - from their website

Both concerts were made possible through a generous gift from Mark and Kathy Helge who are major supporters of the ALCM.

ALCM membership is one of my most valuable tools as a leader of the church's song. I am proud to serve on its board!

This mural on the chapel wall shows Valparaiso University's motto: In your light, we see light.