Hearts, Hands, Voices: Workshops for Church Musicians

Presenters and Topics

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan: “Singing Psalms in the 21^st Century.” A psalmist, composer, and musician serving across denominations, and inviting a perspective of lifelong spiritual formation to community song, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan earned his M. A. in Theology and The Arts from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  He is currently working on his DMin degree through Eden Seminary in St. Louis.  Since 2004, Richard’s central vocation has been immersion in the Psalms; studying, teaching, singing and creating new congregational songs for all 150 psalms.  His primary instruments in this endeavor are the guitar and voice – and an occasional dumb joke!  For more information about Richard,  and some free listening, visit www.worldmaking.net and www.Psalmimmersion.com.

Roxanne Eggen Rollefson: “Teach understanding, teach singing, practice God’s word and the true faith.”Most recently a member of the faculty (K-12 choral and general music) in the Potosi (WI) School District, teacher and musician Roxanne Eggen Rollefson has led an active career devoted to the performance and teaching of music in diverse school and church settings.  A graduate of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and UW-Eau Claire, WI, she is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association and a Master Adjudicator with the Wisconsin State Music Association.  Roxanne is the accompanist for the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choir and also sings in the Dubuque Chorale and adult choir at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dubuque. In addition, she directs the Chancel Choir and Praise Team at St. Luke United Methodist Church, also in Dubuque.  Her workshops for this event will feature reading sessions of choral literature suitable for smaller choirs of adults and children, and a refresher of the rudiments of music and music teaching along with age-appropriate recommendations for promoting healthy vocal technique.

Roy W. Carroll: “You want me to what? – how do you do that? Leading and encouraging assembly song with organ and/or piano.”  Deeply committed to serving the mission of the Church through the nurture of vibrant and expressive congregational song, Roy Carroll has served congregations and educational institutions in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa throughout his 46-year career as musician and teacher.  His degrees in organ, piano, choral music education and sacred music are from Muskingum University, Kent State University and The University of Iowa.  Retired in 2017 after an over twenty year tenure as Cantor at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Roy remains involved in the local tri-state music scene as Principal Organist and Harpsichordist with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. He is a founding and still active member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and has served in recent years as a principal musician for national gatherings of the Institute of Liturgical Studies hosted by Valparaiso University.  In his first session of this day’s workshops at Wartburg Seminary Carroll will review and demonstrate resources and techniques that can help keyboard musicians to be better leaders of congregational song.  Session Two continues that topic, interspersed with opportunities for those in attendance to try some of the techniques presented in Session One.

The Rev. Janet Lepp:  “Young People as Worship Leaders.”  A graduate of Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) and Wartburg Theological Seminary, the Rev. Janet Lepp has always prioritized the need to invite, involve, and include children and youth in intergenerational and stylistically diverse congre-gational worship.  She has served congregations in Rock Island, Rockford, and Mendota Illinois as well as Dubuque, Iowa, and currently resides in Champaign, IL with her husband Dan.  Pastor Lepp has written of her presentation topic which will be repeated at both morning sessions:

“Children and youth are dramatically more enthusiastic about congregational worship when they participate in leadership roles, either individually or as a group.  During this session we will explore reasons and methods for growing the participation of youth and children in a wide variety of worship leadership roles. Our time together will be filled with discussing practical ideas for how to invite, train, and empower young people as worship leaders. Included in the session will be conversations about Christmas programs, Holy Week liturgies, Holy Baptism, and some alternate ideas for children’s sermons. We will also hear about a proven method of including worship participation and leadership into the Confirmation Curriculum.”