Report of the Cantor, Mark Sedio
First of all, I have to reiterate what a pleasure it is for me to serve as Cantor here at Central. As Pastor Rick has said so many times, “There isn’t really a day I don’t love coming to work.” I whole-heartedly second that!This past year so much music has filled our sanctuary, our lives together in worship – and so very much of it we’ve made together! The Central Choir continues to be an utter joy with which to work. Looking over the breadth of music we have sung in praise to our gracious God is amazing: a cantata by Bach, a mass by Mozart, new compositions written specifically for us, works from the Renaissance to our own century, pieces in Latin, Norwegian and Swahili! This past fall, two new ensembles were either formed– the Männerchor (men’s choir) which, by November counted some 20 singers – or re-formed – the Cantorei (which had been on hiatus for a time). Both ensembles include singers new to Central’s worship life. Our bell-choir has continued to blossom under the capable leadership of our Associate Cantor, Jane Lien, who also formed “The Silver Bells” – an ensemble comprised of OWLs members who played at the OWL’s Christmas party and at one of our Midweek Lenten services. The children involved in the Choristers have been well versed in our tradition by director Sally Messner. Together we all continue to explore the wonders of our new worship resource, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, its liturgical settings as well as global music (who can forget those Taiko drummers on the Widor “Toccata” last November?!). Throughout the year we’ve made use of new voices leading worship – especially during the summer months when Central members from fourth-graders on up helped intone the hymn of praise and psalm settings.
In addition to our weekly Sunday worship and festival services we’ve hosted the opening of the biennial convention of the American Guild of Organists (as well as a number of workshops), a “Sing-Along Messiah” with the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Chorale, re-started our annual Organ Symposium, and participated in the Faith Partners program of the American Composers Forum. Our summer “Music on the Plaza” has added to our congregational life in an entirely different way.
I continue to chip away at learning to play the carillon, at composing music both for Central and the wider church and to be a musical resource for the Church at large. It is with deep gratitude that I thank all my co-workers (congregants and staff) here in this wonderful place for including me as a part of our ministry together.
Finally, let me address the use of the term “Cantor” which may be new to some of you. Historically, the term is used by Lutheran church musicians the world-over. It is a title I held in my past two congregations and, at the suggestion of Pastor Foy, I am delighted to reclaim it in my position at Central. It may best be explained in terms of a poster put together some years ago by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians:
When Christ’s people, the baptized, gather for worship they receive God’s love in Word
and Sacrament, and through the gift of music, praise, pray, proclaim, and recount the
story of God’s grace in song. The Cantor – the historical term among Lutherans – is
the leader of this, the people’s song.
The Cantor is responsible for leading the musical expression of the people:
the assembly; choral groups, solo singers and instrumentalists, among whom organists
have been especially important for Lutherans. The Cantor uses whatever musical resources are
available, using them in a manner appropriate to the talents of those serving and the needs of
those people who are being served. The Cantor leads the earthly assembly in a foretaste of
Saint John’s vision of the heavenly assembly in which all creatures give praise, honor,
glory and power to the Lamb. The Cantor’s work is a worthy service to God,
God’s people, and the world.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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