Prelude Blog

Hosting a Music and Arts Camp

Posted on Jan 6, 2021 10:25:06 AM by Chris Cherwien in Music Ministry, in 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?

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Intentionality in This Unusual Christmas Season

Posted on Dec 2, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Sarah Hawbecker in Music Ministry, in Christmas

December 2020 will be like no other holiday season we have seen in our lifetimes. Gatherings are limited, and singing is prohibited. We church musicians are accustomed to being extraordinarily busy during this time, often to the point of exhaustedly cranking out notes and crossing each musical concert or service off our list. This Advent and Christmas, my schedule is drastically reduced. Is this a loss? Yes, but could it also be a gift?

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The Contemporary/Traditional Divide

Posted on Nov 3, 2020 8:52:58 AM by Andrea Baxter in Music Ministry

The contemporary/traditional dichotomy that came to exist in the last few decades of the 20th century has caused discomfort and even emotional pain among many worshipers, church musicians, and pastors alike. The effects of these “worship wars”—as they came to be known—will likely last for decades to come. Much has been written about this topic, but perhaps examining it under the lens of social capital—the shared values that enable groups to trust each other—can provide some insight into how to move beyond the dichotomy.

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The Importance of Hymns of Lament

Posted on Oct 8, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Julie Grindle in Hymnody, in Music Ministry

“Sometimes our only song is weeping, our only sound a gasping breath . . .” (ACS 1050)

This is the first line of a new hymn in All Creation Sings, the upcoming worship supplement from Augsburg Fortress, found in the subsection “Lament.” Along with other new hymns in All Creation Sings, and their siblings in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, they are powerful source material as we grieve widespread sickness and death, old inequalities and fresh injustices. Hope itself can seem lost.

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The Animals Will Teach: A New View of Creation in All Creation Sings

Posted on Aug 13, 2020 9:22:37 AM by David Sims in Hymnody, in Music Ministry

Sometimes you fall in love with a hymn the very first time you hear it. “In Sacred Manner” by Susan Palo Cherwien is one of those for me. It’s included in All Creation Sings, the supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship coming in November 2020, and one reason I’m so struck by this text is that it suggests our relationship with creation should include learning from nature, not just inviting creation to join our song.

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Music for Lectionary 22, Sunday, August 30, 2020

Posted on Aug 7, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Augsburg Fortress in Music Ministry

This music goes well with the lectionary texts for Sunday, August 30, and does not require a choir: 

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Music for Lectionary 21, Sunday, August 23, 2020

Posted on Aug 6, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Augsburg Fortress in Music Ministry

The following music pairs well with the lectionary texts for Sunday, August 23, and does not require a choir or other large ensemble: 

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Music for Lectionary 20, Sunday, August 16, 2020

Posted on Aug 5, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Augsburg Fortress in Music Ministry

This music resonates with the lectionary texts for Sunday, August 16, and can be done without a choir or other large ensemble: 

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Music for Lectionary 19, Sunday, August 9, 2020

Posted on Aug 4, 2020 9:00:00 AM by Augsburg Fortress in Music Ministry

The following music goes well with the lectionary readings for Sunday, August 9, 2020, and does not require a choir: 

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Virtual Music Clinic Follow-Up

Posted on Aug 3, 2020 2:49:11 PM by Augsburg Fortress in Music Ministry

During the virtual music clinic that Augsburg Fortress hosted last month, clinician Christopher Aspaas mentioned two websites. The first was this slide deck presenting preliminary findings of an aerosol study of a singer and various instrumentalists. The study examined the aerosols emitted while the singer talked and sang and while the instrumentalists played their instruments, including a clarinet, a horn, a flute, and a trumpet. Findings and recommendations included a confirmation of the need to wear a mask at all possible times, especially while speaking or singing, and the need to ensure that each musician is at least six feet away in every direction from any other person.  

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