During the last week of August, 1944, Valparaiso University was host to forty-eight organists and choirmasters of our Lutheran Church. These men were invited for a roundtable discussion of the problems connected with the preservation of our musical heritage.

Because of the many requests that have come to us from pastors and teachers, we are publishing a number of the essays presented. The opinions expressed in these essays are not necessarily those of the editor.

Upon recommendation of Dr. W. H. Wente, the Seminar adopted the following resolution:

Resolution

In the great musical heritage of our Lutheran Church the chorale stands supreme. Joining immortal melody with a profound religious poetry that is firmly rooted in the eternal and infallible Word of God, a body of sacred song that brings together sober moderation and boundless joy, deep humiliation and soaring confidence, that is at the same time a child’s prayer to God, a battle song against the enemies of the Word, and a glorying in victory, all expressed by the simplest means, it is for us a priceless spiritual and artistic treasure.

Therefore,

1. We reaffirm our devotion to this great musical heritage of our Church.

2. As organists and choirmasters whose privilege and duty it is to lead our people in the use and enjoyment of this heritage, we pledge ourselves to greater efforts, under the blessing of God, in increasing our own proficiency in the effective presentation of it and in leading others to a fuller understanding and appreciation.

3. We recommend that the musical scholars of our Church be encouraged to continue to place their talents and abilities at the disposal of the Church for the further study and dissemination of this heritage through suitable publications.

4. We recommend that Concordia Publishing House be extended our thanks for its interest in the cause of the Lutheran Church music and that it be asked to continue its aid in the task of disseminating our musical heritage.

5. We recommend that our teachers’ colleges, as agencies designated by the Church for the training of the musicians of our Church, be encouraged in their noble work and that the preparatory colleges and the theological seminaries be requested to find ways and means to make the training in the music of the Church a larger and more effective part of the preparation for the ministry.

Theo. Hoelty-Nickel

From The Musical Heritage of the Lutheran Church, Volume I (Valparaiso, Ind.: Valparaiso University, 1945). Reprinted by permission of Valparaiso University.

For personal use only.