Category Archives: Music Ministry

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

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German Vespers graphicGerman Vespers is a tradition at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu which began in 2002. Paying homage to the church’s German heritage, the service is completely auf Deutsch.

The LCH Choir, Bach Chamber Orchestra, and soloists will present choral works with orchestra including Bach’s Cantata 32 Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen, and Magnificat in G by Heinrich Schütz. Again this year, we welcome the Rev. Anke Flohr as presider for this festival worship. Martina Bingham makes her return to Honolulu as our soprano soloist after completing doctoral studies at Stony Brook University. Tim Carney will share his rich baritone as a featured soloist as well.

All are welcome. Free will offering accepted.

Echoes and Refrains: Music for a Reformation · October 21 & 22

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Echoes and Refrains poster

Echoes and Refrains

Music for a Reformation

Saturday, October 21 • 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 22 • 5:30 pm
A series of two different concerts

In observance of the quincentennial anniversary of the Reformation, Lutheran Church of Honolulu will present two concerts with premier visiting brass and string ensemble ¡Sacabuche!, Grammy-nominated tenor Eric Neuville, and our own LCH Choir and Bach Chamber Orchestra. In addition to stunning polychoral works by 17th-century German masters Schütz and Schein, each concert will feature one of Bach’s splendid cantatas with libretto from Luther’s Bible.

Saturday, October 21• 7:30 pm   repertoire listing

      Polychoral motets, solos, duets, and instrumental canzons
      Cantata 38, Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (J. S. Bach)

Sunday, October 22 • 5:30 pm   repertoire listing

      Polychoral motets, solos, duets, and instrumental pavanes
      Cantata 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Bach)

Two Concert Series: Students $25, General $40
Single Concert: Students $15, General $25

Online sales for the Sunday concert have ended. Tickets will be available for cash or credit card purchase at the door.

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.