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Church Music Institute at St. Stephen

and other Music Ministry News

On Saturday, June 15, approximately 150 church musicians, clergy, and laypeople will attend the CMI summer workshop at St. Stephen. In addition to sessions specifically for church musicians, there will also be sessions such as Engaging the Wisdom of Children in Worship, How Music Forms Faith from Childhood to Adulthood, and A Dialogue on Texts and Interpretation. All of these sessions will be led by top local professionals with the two main presenters being Rev. Dr. Paul Westermeyer and Dr. David Cherwien. Westermeyer is an ordained Lutheran pastor and Emeritus Professor of Church Music at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Cherwien is Director of the National Lutheran Choir and is Director of Music at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Famous for his compositions, hymn playing and improvisations, Cherwien
will lead the Hymn Festival at St. Stephen on Friday, June 14 at 7:00 pm. The Texas Boys Choir will perform a prelude recital which will begin at 6:40 pm.

Do come and bring your friends!

On June 30, we look forward to welcoming back organist Michael Britt and baritone, George Bareford for a Patriotic Pops Organ Concert, featuring popular American music, including a tribute to the movie “The Wizard of Oz” in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the film, music by Harold Arlen, and a tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral with music by Louis Vierne and Pierre Cochereau. We’re doing things a little different this year…the concert will take place at 7:30 pm. This will give the community a chance to attend this wonderful concert. The concert will be preceded by a fried chicken dinner at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Please make reservations by emailing Anne in the church office.

The Special Music Task Force has an exciting concert series season coming up this fall. Concerts include a recital by French organist, Christophe Mantoux, Celtic Christmas Caroling on the Lawn with Beyond-the-Pale Celtic band, a world premiere performance of new compositions by the exciting, new Dallas-based a cappella choir Verdigris, a piano recital by a recent Cliburn competition competitor, and more! Be sure to follow the Music at St. Stephen Facebook page to keep up with the latest. And be on the lookout for information on upcoming music events at St. Stephen in the church publications.

For many people, the church may be the only place and time during the week they get to experience live music. What a wonderful thing it is that we at St. Stephen can offer so many of these unique musical opportunities for our community. Don’t let anyone miss them, including yourself.

See you at the Hymn Festival!

Jordan