Luther Memorial’s music program is led by Bruce Bengtson, who has served as the director of music since 1978.  An award-winning choral director and organist, Bruce leads several choirs and instrumental ensembles.  In addition, music educator Anne McDermott conducts the training choir for children in K-2nd grade.

The congregation rejoices in the wonder and beauty of the Word proclaimed through song, sound, rhythm, and ritual. Festival Days are often punctuated by the sounds of strings, horns, and drums. Luther Memorial uses a variety of musical settings to the Eucharist, primarily settings 3, 4 and 5 from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. This fall, from the Festival of All Saints’ to Christ the King Sunday, we will be using Franz Schubert’s German Mass and during the time after the Epiphany in 2011, we’ll be using John Karl Hirten’s Mary Mass setting of the liturgy.

Organ recitals

Bring your lunch and enjoy a free 1/2-hour organ recital by Bruce Bengtson every Wednesday at noon Sept 21 – Dec 21. Parking is available in the parking garage: enter from Mills Street into Conklin Alley.

› This week’s organ recital program.

Luther Memorial’s organs

Music at Luther Memorial has a foundation in the magnificent sound of its organs.  The church has three pipe organs:

• A 56-rank Austin organ built and installed in the rear balcony in 1966
• A 1893 Steere and Sons tracker action organ of 19 stops, restored and installed in the east transept in September in 1997
• A 1986 Bedient portative organ of three stops

› Read the full history of the Austin, Steere and Bedient organs at Luther Memorial. (PDF, 20 Kb)

A History of Church Ceremonies in Saxony

What was worship like in 17th-18th century Lutheran Germany? Christian Gerber tells us in his 1732 book A History of Church Ceremonies in Saxony, parts of which have been translated by Bruce Bengtson.

› Read Bruce Bengtson’s selected translations from A History of Church Ceremonies in Saxony. (PDF, 555 Kb)

Fall choirs and ensembles

Adult choir

The Adult Choir has about 40 members ranging from singers just out of high school to senior citizens. New members in all voice parts are welcome; no audition is required. The choir sings sacred music ranging from plainsong chant to contemporary compositions at 10:30 a.m. Sunday services and special services. (The choir usually has the second Sunday of the month off.) The choir sings in English, Latin, and occasionally German or Russian (Church Slavonic).

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Choir Room

› Fall 2011 Adult Choir repetoire

Training choir

Ages: Grades K-2

The training choir, under the direction of Ann McDermott, introduces children to the joys of choral singing. Learning fundamentals of music, such as rhythm and dynamics, is fun in this lively choir.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 4:15 p.m., Room 302

Children’s choir

Ages: Grade 3-6

The children’s choir, led by Bruce Bengtson, sings at the 10:30 service the first Sunday of the month. Children in the choir develop their ear and tone as well as learn to read music while practicing hymns and anthems for use in worship.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 4:15 p.m., Choir Room

Youth choir

Ages: Grade 7-12

The youth choir rehearses with Bruce Bengtson and sings for the 10:30 a.m. service on the second Sunday of the month and other Sundays as scheduled. The choir sings music for one, two and three voice parts. All interested youth are invited to join. The choir has sung twice at the St. Paul Cathedral in Minnesota.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 5 p.m., Choir Room

Recorder ensemble

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Choir Room

Bell choir

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Choir Room