New Paradigms for the LES/Church Musician
The release of a “new hymnal suite of resources,” a new hymnology curriculum, and “The Foundation” (coordinated resources for worship, discipleship, and outreach at welscongregationalservices.net/the-foundation) creates a powerful synergy for planning creative Lutheran worship. The particular focus of this preconference track is to help teacher-musicians to understand each resource and how to maximize their potential value and impact. (This content would have been offered at the 2021 national worship conference if it had not been canceled.)
Jeremy Bakken is Director of Worship and Sacred Music, Curricula at NPH. He leads the work to create the Musician’s Resource, an online source for instrumental scores supporting the new hymnal. A graduate of WLC, he also holds a M.M. in Composition and Choral Conducting from the University of New Mexico and is pursuing a D.M.A. in Choral Music from the University of Southern California.
Rev. Bryan Gerlach is Director of the Commission on Worship and a member of the WELS Hymnal Project Executive Committee and Hymnal Introduction Committee. He previously served churches in El Paso, TX and Citrus Hts, CA. He holds a Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University—Chicago and plays organ in two Milwaukee-area churches.
Kate Tiefel, M.M. serves as Director of Worship and Music at Emanuel Lutheran Church and School in New London, WI, where she teaches K-8 music and oversees music ministry in the church. She holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Michigan State University.
