The essays presented in this volume were read at the Third Valparaiso University Seminar on Church Music, which met in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, August 25–29, 1946. This meeting was unique inasmuch as it presented an opportunity for practical demonstrations in the field of church music. During the two past seminars, held at Valparaiso University, the needs for a revival of our musical heritage were stressed. In Sheboygan our theories were put into practice. The mornings were devoted to essays and practical demonstrations, while the evenings were set aside for various types of programs* [*see last item in this volume] featuring the music of our Church. At the close of the conference the following resolution was adopted:

1. For the building up of the faith of our fathers in us and in our children it is necessary not only that we become increasingly aware of the existence of the musical heritage of our Church, but also that this rich legacy be used and become an essential part of our spiritual experience. To that end the Third Church Music Conference, of August 25–29, 1946, at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, under the sponsorship of Valparaiso University and the Synodical Conference Lutheran Churches of Sheboygan, advocates that systematic theoretical and practical instruction in the chorale and related spiritual songs become general in our elementary schools and Sunday schools; that this instruction be continued and expanded to include the larger art forms, both vocal and instrumental, in our general high schools and Valparaiso University, and especially in the synodical academies, junior colleges, teachers’ colleges, and theological seminaries, where pastors and teachers are being trained.

Therefore, be it resolved that this conference urge all synodical Boards of Education, particularly the Board for Higher Education of the Missouri Synod, to recommend to the Missouri Synod at its next triennial convention, following the example of the Wisconsin Synod, to create in both the junior colleges and the theological seminaries music professorships and fill them with men properly prepared for training pastors who not only know, but also appreciate our great heritage and cause it to be fully used in their parishes.

Be it further resolved that copies of the resolution above be sent to President J. W. Behnken, President John Brenner, President O. P. Kretzmann, the Board for Higher Education of the Missouri Synod, the Board for Parish Education, the presidents of all the high schools and synodical institutions of the Synodical Conference.

2. We wholeheartedly encourage original musical compositions, including musical arrangements and settings, for Lutheran worship, made in the Lutheran spirit. Above all, we anticipate hearing, in future sessions of the Conference, such new, original music by talented composers of the Lutheran Church.

We wholeheartedly encourage musical scholarship and study, with special reference to the chorale and the liturgies of the Lutheran Church.

We furthermore wholeheartedly encourage the editors of the series Anthologia Lutherana and Laudamus Dominum to continue to augment the repertory of our Lutheran heritage.

3. We again extend our thanks to the Music Department of Valparaiso University for arranging this Third Church Music Conference, particularly for implementing the practical plan of bringing our Lutheran heritage in music to our congregations. To all who participated in the performances (the limits of time and space prohibit mentioning names)—instrumentalists, choirs, soloists, and conductors—as well as to all who contributed essays and demonstrations we express our gratitude for their efforts and our appreciation of their accomplishments. We sincerely thank the kind people of Sheboygan for the liberal generosity extended to us these days.

From The Musical Heritage of the Church, Volume III (Valparaiso, Ind.: Valparaiso University, 1946). Reprinted by permission of Valparaiso University.

For personal use only.