Category Archives: Music Ministry

500th Anniversary Plans

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Luther nailing 95 theses graphicIn the late days of October 1517, Martinus Luther, an Augustinian Monk teaching in Wittenberg, Germany, posted 95 theses he hoped would be debated by scholars. Those questions coupled with social, economic, and religious unrest, gave birth to a revolution we call “the Reformation.” October 29, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the reformation that would trigger profound changes in the European world.

Communities around the world are observing this important historical and religious anniversary, and Hawai‘i is no exception. Our observance will begin with an ecumenical and interfaith service held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu on Saturday, October 14. Dr. David Lose, scholar, past seminary president, and respected biblical commentator, will deliver the sermon for the day. On October 15, he will offer a lecture to the public, and on the 16th and 17th he’ll deliver two more lectures to the public and rostered persons.

The second major event involves reformation concerts on October 21 and 22, hosted by Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Period instruments and combined choirs will highlight the evening with music that has inspired generations.

The third event is LCH’s annual LutherFest. Held each October on the Saturday before Reformation Sunday, October 28 this year, LutherFest is a time of celebration, food, and fellowship in the LCH courtyard. Once again, there will be authentic bratwurst, but the treat of the evening is all the wonderful potluck dishes brought by all who come. Please be sure to mark your calendars and bring your friends. We hope to make this LutherFest one to remember!

On Reformation Sunday, October 29, the LCH community will gather for a festive and beautiful worship on the occasion of this 500th anniversary. We will have one service that Sunday with worship at 9:30 am only.

To prepare for our celebrations, Adult Forum will concentrate on Reformation topics each week leading up to Reformation Sunday. Join us in the LCH Boardroom at 9:15 am on Sundays, between services, for this wonderful educational opportunity.

  • Saturday, October 14: 3:00 pm, Ecumenical and Interfaith Worship at the Cathedral of St. Andrew
  • Sunday, October 15: 2:00–4:00 pm, Tenney Theater at the Cathedral, lecture by Dr. David Lose, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai Memorial Fund
  • Monday/Tuesday, October 16/17: 9:00 am–3:00 pm, Christ Church Uniting, Kailua, lectures by Dr David Lose, $25 for two days, courtesy of the Margaret “Peggy” Kai Memorial Fund
  • Saturday/Sunday, October 21, 7:30 pm/October 22, 5:30 pm: Reformation 500 concerts at LCH
  • Saturday, October 28: 5:30 pm, LCH annual LutherFest
  • Sunday, October 29: 9:30 am, LCH Festival Reformation Service

Cantate: A Choral Concert for Good Shepherd Sunday (May 7 • 5:00 pm)

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Cantate graphic
Cantate Sunday is the fourth Sunday after Easter, though because of the appointed scriptures for the day (Psalm 23 and John 10), it is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. These familiar readings have inspired composers for centuries, and can be found as the text of some of the most beautiful pieces in the choral library today.

Bach composed several works for this day, and Du Hirte Israel, Höre remains one of his most beloved cantatas. Our choirs also present Edvard Grieg’s masterpiece, Fire Salmer in the original Norwegian. These four motets remain relatively unkown inspite of their haunting and majestic beauty. The Men’s Schola will also perform three settings of the 23rd Psalm, then join the LCH Choir and baritone Jeremy Wong for the last of the Fire Salmer.

LCH Choir, LCH Men’s Schola, and Bach Chamber Orchestra, under the director of Scott Fikse

Jeremy Wong, baritone, and Renson Madarang, tenor

Mark Wong, organist

Tickets available at the door. $25, general | $10, students

Parking for Punahou Carnival • Feb. 3 and 4

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Parking attendants for Punahou CarnivalAgain this year, LCH will make its parking lots available to folks attending the annual Punahou Carnival. The church is located right across Punahou Street from the school and offers bargain rates of $15 per car (no in/out privileges). The lots open both days at 10:45 am and close at 11:15 pm.

Lots are safe, supervised, and convenient, with entrances on either Dominis Street (the small lot right behind the church) or Poki Street (between Dominis and Nehoa). Map

This fundraisers benefits the church’s programs for children and youth and our outstanding music program.

Concert of Spirituals (January 15 • 5:00 pm)

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MLK Concert graphicKnown to audiences around O’ahu, Georgine Stark represents the finest in artistry, virtuosity, and creativity. Georgine Stark, soprano, is joined by the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir under the direction of Scott Fikse, violinist, Darel Stark and pianist, Sachi P. Hirakouji in a dynamic program showcasing African-American spirituals.

Audiences will be moved by songs that inspire hope, question hate and shout for freedom. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear some of Hawaii’s finest musicians in the intimate acoustics of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Admission: $20 General | $10 Students

For a preview of the concert, check out this YouTube video.

German Vespers for Epiphany (Jan. 6 • 7:30 pm)

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German Vespers graphicJoin the LCH Choir, guest soloists, and Bach Chamber Orchestra on the Feast of Epiphany for our annual German Vespers. A tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu since 2002, this service honors the church’s German heritage with prayers, hymns, a cantata, and even the sermon auf Deutsch. Translation will be provided

This year’s music features Hans Leo Hassler’s Magnificat and J.S. Bach’s Cantata 123: Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen.

The theme for this year comes from Ezekiel 36. “I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead.” Again we welcome Rev. Anke Flohr as presider for this festival worship.

42nd Annual Advent Procession (Nov. 27 • 7:30 pm)

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advent procession graphicLutheran Church of Honolulu celebrates our 42nd Annual Advent Procession with Peter Hallock’s mystical and beautiful setting of the “O” Antiphons. First presented in 1975, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu’s Advent Procession has become a Honolulu tradition. This year, Advent choral selections by composers F. Melius Christiansen, Jacob Handl, George Guest, and others will be intermingled with hymns, carols, and the timeless setting of the Magnificat by Charles Villiers Stanford.

Organist Mark D. Wong accompanies the LCH Choir on our beautiful Beckerath organ, and guest singers and soloists will join to make this both a musically and spiritually moving festival service. Please join us as we begin a new liturgical year, carry on a beloved Hawai‘i tradition, and look forward to the Christmas season ahead.

Readings and special music for the Advent Procession.

Music Ministry Internship

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The Early Worship EnsembleThe Lutheran Church of Honolulu is offering an internship for music majors enrolled in a qualifying degree program, or candidates with a strong background in music. Our Music Ministry Intern will have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of music direction, performance, and event planning.

Duties:

  • The Music Ministry intern is eligible for audition and a paid position in one of the LCH Music Ensembles.
  • Work with the LCH Choral librarian to maintain the sheet music library.
  • Relay and answer emails pertaining to Music Department activities.
  • Maintain the database of Text and Translations for all choral works.
  • Assist with designing and distributing publicity for concerts and special services.
  • Create PDF music files using Sibelius composition software.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  • A positive, teamwork-focused attitude accompanied by strong communication skills.
  • A basic understanding of music theory.
  • Competent with Microsoft Office and social media applications.
  • A willingness to learn new skills and methods.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with church music and Biblical texts.
  • Strong instrumental or vocal ability.
  • Experience with being a consistent member of a musical ensemble.
  • Leadership skills and the ability to take initiative.

Compensation and Hours

This position will involve a commitment of either 5 or 10 hours per week; 5 unpaid hours for a non-section leader candidate, or 10 paid hours for a section leader candidate who joins one of the LCH music ensembles. Pay is $34 per rehearsal / service / performance.

Application Deadline: September 5
Please submit a resume and letter of intent to:
Scott Fikse, director of music and liturgy
scott@LCHwelcome.org

The LCH choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra

Pentecost Vespers (May 15)

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On May 15, Pentecost Sunday, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu will celebrate Vespers, the sunset evening prayer service of the canonical hours. This service is comprised almost entirely by music, with the LCH Choir singing a rich array of musical selections including the psalms for that evening. Other pieces include:

  • Herbert Howells’ “Magnificat” from Evening Canticles (Collegium Regale setting)
  • Kevin Siegfried’s “The Spirit of the Lord”
  • Gerald Near’s “Spiritus Domini”

The service begins at 7:30 pm, and all are welcome. A freewill offerings in support of the music ministry will be received.

All are welcome to the lecture “The Entanglement of Early Christianity and Islam” by Dr. Stephen O’Harrow, Professor of Philology and the Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, prior to Vespers at 6:00 pm. The lecture is part of our ongoing series, Exploring Boundaries….and Beyond.

Children’s Benefit Concert a Great Success

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The concert began with the F.R.O.G.S. Choir singing “Peace Life a River” and “Kumbaya”

The children of LCH offered their annual benefit concert on Saturday, March 5, at 4:00 pm in the LCH Nave. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the children’s very own fundraising concerts.

As iIn years past, the children sang and performed on trumpet, violin, cello, organ, and piano. The photo at right shows the F.R.O.G.S. Choir singing “ Peace Life a River” and “Kumbaya” at the beginning of the concert Additional photos are available inn the slideshow below.

The beneficiary of donations at the concert and from others who could not attend is the ELCA Good Gifts program. The children ask the members of the congregation to make a pledge od $1 a day during Lent which will be added to the money children have contributed during Sunday School. After the concert, the Sunday School will decide which particular gifts to fund. The Good Gifts program enables individuals or groups to sponsor gifts of farm animals, clean water, health care, and education to help communities around the world transcend poverty and hunger. This tradition offers our children a chance to practice stewardship by donating their time and talent toward a worthy cause and a chance for adults in the congregation to model stewardship for the children by making contributions in connection with the concert.

If you were not able to attend the concert and would like to be part of this effort, donations are welcome through Easter Sunday.

Children’s Benefit Concert (March 5)

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The concert ended with the F.R.O.G.S. Choir singing “Elijah Rock!”

The Sunday School is preparing to offer their annual benefit concert on Saturday, March 5, at 4:00 pm in the LCH Nave. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the children’s very own fundraising concerts.

In the past, the children have performed with song and dance and on trumpet, violin, cello, drums, flute, organ, and piano; and we expect another enjoyable afternoon provided by our talented children. The photo at right shows the F.R.O.G.S. Choir singing “Elijah Rock!” at the end of the 2015 concert, and additional photos are available on the Children’s Benefit Concert 2015 page.

The beneficiary will again be the ELCA Good Gifts program. The children ask the members of the congregation to make a pledge at the concert or any time during Lent which will be added to the money children have contributed during Sunday School. After the concert, the Sunday School decides which particular gifts to fund. The Good Gifts program enables individuals or groups to sponsor gifts of farm animals, clean water, health care, and education to help communities around the world transcend poverty and hunger. This tradition offers our children a chance to practice stewardship by donating their time and talent toward a worthy cause and a chance for adults in the congregation to model stewardship for the children by making contributions in connection with the concert.

We hope you will attend the concert and consider giving $1 a day during Lent ($40) towards the fundraising effort. Please join us on March 5 for an invigorating concert and consider contributing to the ELCA’s worldwide ministries!