Hymn Festivals in Tampa, Savannah

Grace Lutheran Church, Carrolwood, Fl (Tampa), Ascension Lutheran, Savannah, GA.

These are important. Hardworking, diligent and extremely faithful church musicians set them up. Eager for a "shot in the arm of the cause" they go through a tremendous amount of work and emotion to set up these events - and people always respond. The hosts usually wish more would attend, but I'm thrilled with a choir, and four-parts in the pews regardless of whether it's 20 or 2,000 people. Always those who attend are teary-eyed appreciative. That speaks to the starvation in the church these days - people who cherish memory represented in their hymns of faith are being denied. Those who come love God and love to sing about it. The choirs have fun with different leadership (even if I ask for the same things as their regular director). I feel empowered by my home experiences and Mount Olive traditions, and my unique journey and which helps me feel free to push the edges - and they respond all the more.

These two hymn festivals have a special connection (although this is not unusual in my travels) - Paul Manz had dedicated both instruments with hymn festivals in he 1980's. For Tampa it was as though it was yesterday. Paul returned to Tampa for a 10th year anniversary hymn festival, and my visit marked 20 years. All three events are seared in their experiencial/spiritual memory. Witnessing the long-term impact of Paul Manz's vast ministry puts both joy in my heart, as well as sends a chill down my spine: I must take these calls to responsibility seriously! It's an honor, joy and huge responsibility to be among those who continue what Mount Olive and Dr. Manz began in such a profound and abundant way. There can be no "second Paul Manz" but once that cart is rolling, there are those of us who are called nudge it further to keep the experiences growing and moving!

I am grateful that Mount Olive continues to support these efforts (even as these trips create an inconvenient absence from Mount Olive at times). They are water for thirsty lovers og God through hymnody, boosts for hard working, diligent and faithful church musicians and pastors eager to keep this tradition alive, and give witness to the living Spirit of God in these communities. Too many faith communities are trying to deny their song memory - the good news is it refuses to disappear. These events help. They are important.

New York/Tampa

A very fitting start to this time - two days with Alice Parker in Manhattan. Five of us sitting around a dining-room table studied several scores: some brand-new compositions of Alice based on Gregorian chants - very beautiful. We then studied and sang Bach's motet "Lobet den Herrn" and Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb" We thoroughly studied each text, then analyzed the scores, hearing the music; getting past "the page" (which Alice loves to villify!) - the page only gets us to making music, and it not THE point.

Another great gift of this time was attending a Jazz club at Lincoln Center on Wednesday night. Amazing - very complicated jazz patterns - over my head to be sure. But I was stuck by something that applies: each player really has to put them selves out there on a limb at all times - letting go always. However, it has to be done in a way that does not over shadow or over power the ensemble. They also take turns with the spotlight, where they let go even more. This reminded me both of congregational singing, and choral singing. Everyone needs to step up to the plate; let go; put themselves out there. That way a powerful unified voice of the group is formed. If individuals to not put themselves forth from deep within, the collective is tremendously weakened. But when everyone does let go and put themselves out there - a unique and powerful voice is formed - singing fully out - yet with an ear to everyone else, knowing when to "take the turn" (singing a theme, entrance, phrase, stanza...) and when to step into the ensemble. But - if one person does NOT step up to the plate - the others have to step down in order to not overshadow. Let that NOT happen!

The other gift of "letting go, stepping up to the plate" is that in doing so we encourage each other to respond, which is what Jazz is all about. I'd watch them smile at each other in approval, and they would play what they heard, or join in - contantly playing off each other. This is what Paul Manz talks about in two ways: Regarding improvised hymn introductions: at first he was encouraged to "do what you feel" (i.e., "let go") and don't worry about anything like time. When he did, people responded, sending him energy back and he got braver and braver and developed into what is now internationally known. This leads to what he also described as "the circle" of energy - he would present his imaginative ideas at the time of the hymn, the people would respond in their song (they becoming braver and braver) and that came back to him which in turn led him to more, them more, and so on and so on. If any one piece of that circle breaks, it doesn't work. This is jazz. This is congregational song. This is choral music.

Now it's Tampa - a very late arrival alst night, today to the church to spend the day practicing, hymn festival tonight, workshop tomorrow, tomorrow afternoon and evening: to the beach! I hope it stops raining.

Travel Schedule during Sabbatical

SABBATICAL TRAVEL SCHEDULE
David Cherwien

December 19-25 – London
Outbound 19th: 4:50 pm
Return: 25th: 4:30 pm.

January 15-20 = New York, Tampa
New York – Score Study with Alice Parker
Outbound 15th: 8:00 am
Tampa: Grace Lutheran Church, Hymn Festival
NY to Tampa: Thursday, 17th – 8:00 pm.
Return 20: 8:00 om

January 21-22 – Valparaiso (ALCM board meeting)
Depart 21 am, return pm on 22.

January 24-26 – Ascension Lutheran Church, Savannah GA, Hymn Festival
Depart 24 – 8:00 am
Return, 26th – 10 pm

January 27 – Resurrection Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN
Late afternoon

January 29, 30 – Meeting in St. Louis for NLC Christmas 08
leave early am on 1/29, return at noon on 1/30)

January 31-February 4 – Florida Keys
Relaxing with Susan on the beach!!

February 6th – 11. San Francisco, CA -
Depart am on 6th
Return mid-day, on the 11th.

February 14 – 28, France
Leave 4:00 pm, through Detroit
Return evening of the 28th

March 7,8 – Liberty, Missouri (Kansas City Area)
William Jewel College – Hymn Festival
Travel out 6th, return evening of the 8th

March 18 – Return to NLC rehearsals.

March 19-23, New York (Attend Triduum liturgies in Manhattan)
Outbound am of 19th
Return, afternoon of the 23rd.

March 27-31 – Alexandria, VA. (Washington DC)
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Hymn Festival
Travel Schedule not yet obtained

April 4-6 – Wassau, WI Hymn Festival for AGO chapter
Leave Friday the 4th, return the evening of the 6th (driving)

April 10-13. NLC tour to Grand Rapids and Fort Wayne.