Center for Church Music

“Strong, Loving, and Wise”

“…be strong…endure…reflect…” (2 Timothy 2)

Another season and we are deep into all the planning, recruiting, rehearsing, practicing, and music-making—just some of the tasks of our “high and holy calling” as church musicians. Always a daunting and exciting time of year!

At the Center, I have been deep into finishing up the publication archive of Richard Proulx (1937-2010). Proulx was a major figure in church music, especially as a leader in post-Vatican II Roman Catholic churches. For many of his later years, he was music director at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. A prolific composer, thinker, and an exemplary liturgical musician. It would be difficult to overstate his importance and legacy.

One of the anthems that caught my eye was “Strong, Loving, and Wise” [MorningStar 50-8706] Proulx’s original text is based on the second chapter of Paul’s counsel to Timothy, but it is very likely that the theme and title of the anthem came from a book of the same name on presiding in liturgy by Robert W. Hovda (The Liturgical Press, 1976). Hovda (1920-1992) was also a giant in liturgical reform.

Hovda’s description of the skills needed in leading worship apply to us as church musicians, too. We need to be…

• Strong—evidencing solid, unwavering personal character, a firm commitment to excellence, and an engaging collegiality that builds effective team ministry.
• Loving—continual love for the people in the pew and pastoral concern for our volunteer musicians. All our efforts are focused on forming and strengthening faith, bringing hope and healing to those in need, and vibrancy to Christian worship.
• Wise—always learning our craft, seldom perfect but always a first-fruits offering to the Lord.

As we look back over the career and legacy of Richard Proulx, “strong, loving and wise” certainly seems a fitting banner. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may the same be said about us as well!

Blessings on your year.

Barry Bobb
Director

Resource Room

• Books, magazines, recordings, the Schalk American Lutheran Hymnal Collection (541 volumes) and the ever-expanding archives of the original manuscripts of great American Lutheran composers & hymn writers.
• Liturgical Choir Music Library

Digital Initiative

• All of the volumes in the hymnal collection can be perused online at www.hymnary.org or from this website. See "Hymnal Collection Index."
• Many of the original manuscripts are accessible online at the Center’s website (including Manz, Schalk, Hillert, Pelz, Thoms, Busarow, Bouman and others...) See "Composer Manuscript Indices".

Website

• Devotions, interviews, profiles, essays, forums, ideas, an arts registry

Print publications

• Books and monographs in the Shaping American Lutheran Church Music series available through Amazon and Fortress Press

Encouragement of the next generation

• Hillert Award in Student Composition---open to any undergrad or graduate student at a Lutheran university or seminary in the United States
• Schalk Scholars
  • Creates awareness and access to current research in the areas of music and the arts
  • Provides stipends for research as well as publication and venues for presentations for these emerging scholars
  • Arts Registry
  • Contact information and samples from composers, visual artists, writers, designers, media artists.