Center for Church Music

As we make our path out of this pandemic, there are so many things I’m longing to see restored…and soon…

• The joyous sound of a full assembly of believers singing;
• Choirs without masks (both children and adults);
• The clamor of conversation in the narthex before and after services, people sharing in person joys and sorrows;
• The faithful gathering at the altar to receive the sacrament.

But I also, ultimately, first and foremost, have to sing with King David—

“Restore to me the joy of my salvation.”

O Lord Jesus, fill my life again with the pleasure of life with you

I know that the Lenten emphases are a big part of returning to the Lord

• I have to amend my life, resolve to live better;
• I have to forgive others completely, even as I have been fully forgiven by God;
• I have to, under the Gospel, relinquish the need for perfectionism in ministry and in my relationships with others.

"Remember, Lord, the times you called me to be your follower and friend? Your words, your cause, your self enthralled me; you gave my life a source and end. My first communion and my vow! How is our friendship now?

I dare not claim a special favor for deeds heroic, much less due. I need an understanding Savior, I need patient friend like you. I need someone to take me back, restore the joy I lack.”

- Jaroslav Vajda

The psalmist adds “…and uphold me with a willing spirit.” This is our holy, Aaronic ministry to one another as church musicians—to lift one another up and to encourage each other along our shared Lenten journey.

May yours be a rich and blessed 40 days!

Barry Bobb
Director
Center for Church Music

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.