Engaging a Wide Range of Instrumentalists and Vocalists
In an earlier era of WELS worship culture, it was often only festival services (and the occasional obbligato instrument with a choir selection) that merited inclusion of instruments beyond the organ. Now some churches regularly involve a wide variety of instruments beyond organ and piano. Regular use of singers beyond a choir (of adults or children) is also common. This session covers a wide range of related topics: recruitment and organization, selecting and arranging music for beginning instrumentalists, nurturing the less skilled rather than relying on the A-team, the same music in each service but with different singers/players, intergenerational ensembles, young musicians in school chapel, and more.
Bio | Martha Johnson
Martha is a 2004 graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., where she received a degree in education with an emphasis in music. She served at Nebraska Lutheran High School in Waco, Neb., as the choir and band director for 11 years and later as the minister of music at Bethlehem in Menomonee Falls, Wis. Currently Martha teaches 5th grade and upper grade music at Peace Lutheran School, Hartford, Wis. She also sings with The Lutheran Ceili Orchestra, Canticum Novum, and the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee.
Bio | Levi Nagel
Levi is a full-time staff minister serving in the area of worship for the past 19 years. From 2005–2016 he served at Grace, Falls Church, Va. He currently serves as the minister of music and worship at St. John’s, Milwaukee (Forest Home Ave.). He holds a BA in music from Wisconsin Lutheran College and a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin. While living in the Washington, D.C., area, Levi sang professionally with several choirs, including the Washington Chorus and the Washington Master Chorale, for the latter of which he was the principal chair for his section. Levi has also been the artistic director of the Lutheran Chorale of Milwaukee since 2018. During the hymnal project, he served on the music subcommittee of the hymns committee, and in 2022, he served as one of the clinicians for the East Regional Choral Festival.
Prof. Hubert is the director of instrumental music at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In addition to directing the concert band, he teaches courses in music theory, conducting, education, and arranging, and conducts the college’s jazz band and Contemporary & Gospel Ensemble. Previously he served in various music education settings from beginning band to middle school music to high school ensembles. Hubert holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Ill., and is a founding member of the Lutheran Institute for Music Education.
Dale currently serves as fine arts department chairman, choir director, and music educator at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, Wis. He is one of the founding members of LIME, Lutheran Institute for Music Education, which seeks to aid WELS teachers and schools in strengthening their music education programs. From 2014–2021 he served on the WELS Psalm Committee, which researched, reviewed, and edited over 5,000 psalm settings to produce Christian Worship: Psalter (NPH 2021). Dale holds a Master in Church Music degree from Concordia University Chicago (1997); is a member of WCDA, ACDA, NAfME, ALCM, and WMEA professional organizations; and is an active church music composer.
Kevin serves Emanuel, Tempe, Ariz., in a 50/50 position with both teaching and music roles. He is blessed to direct/work with instructors for group and private guitar lessons, chimes, a band program and private instrumental instruction, ukulele, male and female and chamber choirs at high points in the church year, junior/adult choir, and ensembles for all the musical instrument families. The Lord is using these individuals to touch hearts with the gospel, and to show that the songs kids learn in school can run with and even outrun many new and popular Christian songs currently in vogue.
Since 2014, David has served Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, Menomonee Falls, Wis., as grades 7-8 teacher and worship coordinator. These duties include worship planning, serving as head organist, directing the adult choir, and including a wide variety of instrumentalists. He holds a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin. He also serves as the district worship coordinator for the Southeastern Wisconsin District, was a curriculum writer for the synod’s hymnology curriculum, is a member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM), and is an associate organist and member of the Fine Arts Committee at St. Marcus, Milwaukee.
Kate Tiefel, director of music at Emanuel, New London, Wis., holds a BS in music education and an MM in choral conducting from Michigan State University. She has 20 years of experience teaching music and is a founding member of the Lutheran Institute for Music Education.