--- title: Welcome to the Prelude Music Planner Blog! | Chris Cherwien description: Chris Cherwien has been a church musician for over 38 years serving congregations in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia. In all three cities Chris founded/co-founded summer music and arts camps for children and youth. She is currently the Director of Worship and Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has been the alto section leader for the National Lutheran Choir since 2012. Chris and her husband Paul have three grown children and four grandchildren. --- [![AF-prelude-logo](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/AF_Prelude_Blog/AF-prelude-logo.png?width=181&height=52&name=AF-prelude-logo.png "AF-prelude-logo")](http://www.preludemusicplanner.org/) - [LEARN MORE](https://preludemusicplanner.org/) - [BLOG](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org) - [SIGN IN](https://members.preludemusicplanner.org/) # [Prelude Music Blog](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org) # Prelude Blog ## Chris Cherwien Chris Cherwien has been a church musician for over 38 years serving congregations in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia. In all three cities Chris founded/co-founded summer music and arts camps for children and youth. She is currently the Director of Worship and Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has been the alto section leader for the National Lutheran Choir since 2012. Chris and her husband Paul have three grown children and four grandchildren. ### Recent Posts ## [Music Ministers-What's on Your List?](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/music-ministers-whats-on-your-list) Posted on Aug 20, 2024 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry), in [leadership](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/leadership) Quick—make a list of the skills and abilities you need to be an effective choir director, cantor, or other music ministry leader. What’s at the top of your list? [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/music-ministers-whats-on-your-list) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/music-ministers-whats-on-your-list#comments-listing) ## [[The Benefits of Choral Collaborations](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-benefits-of-choral-collaborations)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/music-ministers-whats-on-your-list#comments-listing) Posted on Apr 11, 2024 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry), in [music](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music) Several months ago, Paul Stever, a colleague from a neighboring church, contacted me about the possibility of joining our choirs together for an evening service on Pentecost Sunday. The service would feature Kim Andre Arneson’s beautiful “Holy Spirit Mass.” The National Lutheran Choir premiered this work in 2017 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Washington, D.C. Since Pentecost is early this year, and this is a festival that often gets shortchanged, he suggested that this was the perfect year. Paul had put a great deal of thought into what this collaboration would take. This work would be difficult to do with its divisi without a larger number of singers than either of our churches have. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-benefits-of-choral-collaborations) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-benefits-of-choral-collaborations#comments-listing) ## [[The Rhythm of Rehearsals](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-rhythm-of-rehearsals)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-benefits-of-choral-collaborations#comments-listing) Posted on Jul 12, 2023 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry) Planning and executing effective and enjoyable rehearsals is an art! Too often, I am tempted to do other work and not carve out time to thoughtfully plan each choir’s rehearsal. Experience is my friend but should not be an excuse for skipping this important work. When we only have one rehearsal per week, we have to make the most of every minute. It feels like so much to do and so little time to do it in. We have to prioritize and map out the allotted time. There is a rhythm to the rehearsal that allows the singers/ringers to warm up their brains/voices and move toward the most challenging pieces. Effective rehearsals model a beautiful musical phrase. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-rhythm-of-rehearsals) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-rhythm-of-rehearsals#comments-listing) ## [[Building Trusting Relationships](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/building-trusting-relationships)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-rhythm-of-rehearsals#comments-listing) Posted on Mar 7, 2023 9:15:07 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry), in [relationship](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/relationship), in [trust](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/trust) *Recipients of our appreciation are apt to express their own gratitude to others, lengthening the unending, golden chain of connections-in-goodness that stretches across the world. —Mary Ford-Grabowsky* [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/building-trusting-relationships) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/building-trusting-relationships#comments-listing) ## [[Summertime Renewal and Growth](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/summertime-renewal-and-growth)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/building-trusting-relationships#comments-listing) Posted on Jun 7, 2022 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Summer](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/summer), in [music](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music) Well, here we are. Another choir season has come to an end, and the summer months are upon us. The Sundays keep coming and the planning never stops. How are you doing? Now is an ideal time to check in with yourself. What do you need in the next several weeks to restore, energize, and enliven you and your music ministry? [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/summertime-renewal-and-growth) [1 Comment](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/summertime-renewal-and-growth#comments-listing) ## [[This Is the Night! The Vigil of Easter](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/this-is-the-night-the-vigil-of-easter)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/summertime-renewal-and-growth#comments-listing) Posted on Mar 3, 2022 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry), in [Easter](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/easter), in [Lent](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/lent) This is the night! The Vigil of Easter is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church’s year. We gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new siblings in Christ at the font, and share food and drink. We proclaim Christ crucified and risen! [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/this-is-the-night-the-vigil-of-easter) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/this-is-the-night-the-vigil-of-easter#comments-listing) ## [[Lessons and Carols for Advent](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/lessons-and-carols-for-advent)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/this-is-the-night-the-vigil-of-easter#comments-listing) Posted on Oct 14, 2021 9:00:00 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Hymnody](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hymnody), in [Advent](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/advent), in [music](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music) *“Now we wait. We wait for the child to be born. We wait for the newness that God is bringing into the world.”* Advent is a season of anticipation, longing, and hopefulness. This year, after almost two years in a pandemic, these themes, and the emotions that they invoke, are heightened. We long to see signs in our lives and in our communities that Jesus is present. We need to hear the promises that only God can give. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/lessons-and-carols-for-advent) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/lessons-and-carols-for-advent#comments-listing) ## [[The Importance of Mentorship](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-importance-of-mentorship)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/lessons-and-carols-for-advent#comments-listing) Posted on Mar 3, 2021 11:44:44 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry) Who is the first person who comes to your mind when you think of an extraordinary mentor? What is the value in taking time to think about this question? Several years ago, I was sitting in a breakout session at an ALCM conference listening to someone whom I consider an amazing mentor. He was dropping pearls of wisdom for those of us fortunate enough to hear. As I looked around the room, I saw many people engaged and, from the outside, some who seemed not to be. It struck me that it is easy to overlook opportunities to learn from a truly great musician. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-importance-of-mentorship) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-importance-of-mentorship#comments-listing) ## [[Hosting a Music and Arts Camp](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hosting-a-music-and-arts-camp)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/the-importance-of-mentorship#comments-listing) Posted on Jan 6, 2021 10:25:06 AM by [Chris Cherwien](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/chris-cherwien) in [Music Ministry](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry), in [Creative Arts Camp](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/creative-arts-camp) “My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation, I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.” (ELW 760) Hymn texts have come to life in a new way since our world changed in early 2020. A new year is upon us and if we listen closely, we may hear that far-off hymn hailing a new creation. How can we, as church musicians, bring about a new creation? What gifts can we give our parishioners, communities, and cities? [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hosting-a-music-and-arts-camp) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hosting-a-music-and-arts-camp#comments-listing) [All posts](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [review-prelude (87)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/review-prelude) - [Choral Techniques and Repertoire (56)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/choral-techniques-and-repertoire) - [Music Ministry (55)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry) - [Planning (55)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/planning) - [Assembly Song (37)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/assembly-song) - [Potpourri (32)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/potpourri) - [Instruments and Ensembles (19)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/instruments-and-ensembles) - [Hymnody (14)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hymnody) - [music (13)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music) - [Uncategorized (10)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/uncategorized) - [COVID-19 (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/covid-19) - [Composing and arranging (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/composing-and-arranging) - [Coronavirus (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/coronavirus) - [News (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/news) - [Christmas (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/christmas) - [Easter (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/easter) - [Instruments (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/instruments) - [Social distancing (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/social-distancing) - [worship (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/worship) - [Advent (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/advent) - [All Creation Sings (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/all-creation-sings) - [Children Ministry (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/children-ministry) - [Lent (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/lent) - [Summer (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/summer) - [gratitude (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/gratitude) - [Creative Arts Camp (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/creative-arts-camp) - [Cultural (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/cultural) - [ELW (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/elw) - [Evangelical Lutheran Worship (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/evangelical-lutheran-worship) - [Holidays (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/holidays) - [Hope (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hope) - [Hospitality (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hospitality) - [Pentecost (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/pentecost) - [Psalms (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/psalms) - [Youth Ministry (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/youth-ministry) - [children (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/children) - [culture (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/culture) - [devotions (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/devotions) - [john the baptist (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/john-the-baptist) - [joy (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/joy) - [leadership (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/leadership) - [marriage (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/marriage) - [race (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/race) - [relationship (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/relationship) - [self-care (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/self-care) - [spiritual (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/spiritual) - [time (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/time) - [trust (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/trust) - [wedding (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/wedding) - [weddings (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/weddings) - [writing (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/writing) see all ### About Prelude Music Planner [Prelude Music Planner](http://www.preludemusicplanner.org) is the web-based tool that provides a wealth of music, thoughtful commentary, and time-saving tools for the church musician. - **Explore a wealth of music**. Search our database of congregational, choral, and instrumental church music by lectionary day, voicing, difficulty level, tune name, and more. - **Get the music you need, when you need it.** Preview the entire piece of music from beginning to end, and then download the parts you need. Subscribers will also receive a block of “points” to spend on our library of downloadable choral and instrumental pieces. - **Manage your church’s music library**. Organize your music library in one master location. Once your library information has been added, you can plan using both your physical library as well as the Prelude library with a single search. | [![Facebook](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/augsburgfortress/) | [![Twitter](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/augsburgfortres) | [![Youtube](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtZR7BPcns-WJE_HNjkfmsw) | | --- | --- | --- | Copyright 2026 | Designed with by [Augsburg Fortress](http://www.augsburgfortress.org)