I have served First Lutheran as organist since 1980, playing for nearly all worship services in the Sanctuary and for numerous other church services and events as well. Until March 29, 2005, I have had the pleasure of playing the 3 manual, 38 rank pipe organ, rebuilt and enlarged c. 1968 by Dewey Layton of Colorado Springs from a much older Austin instrument. (A plate on the console read: "New Console 1922.") On June 26, 2005, our new organ of 3 manuals and 41 ranks, from the distinguished Canadian firm of Casavant Frères was dedicated.

There are far more choices open to the church musician now than there used to be, in terms of the styles of music, kinds of instruments, and the ways that these things can be used for worship. Use of the organ is declining, even absent, in many churches. I am glad to say that is not the case at First Lutheran. We remain firmly committed to using the organ to lead congregational singing, to accompany the choir, and to provide preludes, postludes and other service music. The organ has been an important feature of Christian worship for more than a thousand years; it has met the challenge of many changes of style and function, and we expect that to continue. A typical Sunday morning at First Lutheran might see a 17th- century prelude by Buxtehude and a 21st century postlude by David Cherwien, while hymns might include both "Praise to the Lord" and "Halle, Halle," all with the organ. As with other music, organ selections are chosen, as far as possible, to conform to the liturgical day or season.

Besides the organ, we often use other instruments to enhance our worship, and my job includes directing this program. Piano (keyboard) is used frequently; solo instruments (violin, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, or others) and small ensembles appear regularly. Most players are volunteers, drawn from within the church or around the community. About 30 volunteers have participated in the program this year.

Our church has had a Men's Quartet for several years, and I have the pleasure of working with them. Their repertoire runs from Vivaldi through Christiansen and Copland, to Pop, Country and Western, including most notably a good many gospel and spiritual numbers. They have become a popular feature of church services and other functions.

Sometimes, no music that we can find exactly matches what we need, so I compose, adapt or arrange it in-house for the occasion. A number of hymn concertatos, instrumental descants, choir anthems, and organ pieces have resulted. A few have even been published. The background music for this (my) web page is an original setting of the spiritual "I'm So Glad," and the background music for the main page is an arrangement of the "Alleluia" movement from J. S. Bach's Cantata # 51.

While at First Lutheran, I have been active in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) for over 20 years. I was Dean of the Colorado Springs AGO Chapter for three years and am was the Convention Coordinator for the AGO regional Convention held in Colorado Springs in June 2005.