Church Music Legend Honored

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Lifelong church musician, Ronald A. Nelson received the Faithful Servant Award at the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) biennial national convention in Houston, Texas. The award honors an individual whose lifework has made a significant and lasting contribution to worship in the church.

Ronald A. Nelson served as the Director of Music at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, MN for 37 years. He developed an extensive music program with multiple choirs, and a choir school that became a nationally-known model for music education. Nelson also has published and composed numerous choral compositions for adult and children’s choirs, and is well-known for his composition of Setting Two of the Communion Liturgy in Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW).

In addition to Nelson’s national award, his colleagues in the fields of choral and church music have chosen to honor him with insightful yet practical essays about children, choirs, and music in the life of the church. With a Voice of Singing: Essays on Children, Choirs, and Music in the Church; In Honor of Ronald A. Nelson is a collection of essays that provides inspiration for the church musicians of today and tomorrow.

Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, MN is holding a recital in Nelson’s honor on Sunday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m. in recognition of his devoted service to church music. The choirs of Westwood, Normandale, Mt. Olive, and Central Lutheran churches come together to sing and celebrate the music of Ronald A. “Ronnie” Nelson. Featuring favorite Lutheran choral anthems, hymns for all to sing, and a massed choir conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong (St. Olaf College), you won’t want to miss this inspiring, musical afternoon. A reception will follow the concert.

With a Voice of Singing is published by Kirk House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN.

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With a Voice of Singing
Essays on Children, Choirs, and
Music in the Church
In Honor of Ronald A. Nelson
ISBN:978-1-933-794-03-7
184 pages
Perfectbound
$16.00