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Concordia Orchestra Commissions & The New Dimension Fund

How oft in making music we have found
A NEW DIMENSION in the world of sound
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia!

(text by Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000)
© 1972 Hope Publishing Co.

Spurred to action through the calling expressed in the second stanza of the hymn, "When in Our Music God is Glorified," the Concordia Wind Orchestra and Concordia Sinfonietta includes as an important part of its mission its function in Lutheran worship. Expanding a tradition dating back to the early Baroque, when winds, strings, and percussion instruments were used for worship in music by Gabrieli, Schutz, Praetorius, and Bach, the Concordia orchestras bring a spectacular "concerted" style to modern liturgical worship.

The New Dimension Fund supports the creation of wind band and orchestral music for use in the church by commissioning festive hymn arrangements and other worship music. Since most published music for bands and orchestras is geared toward concert needs, the CWO and Sinfonietta needs to commission music to assist its worship ministry.

Contributions of any amount are welcomed. Gifts of $1000 or more can include a specific commission request honoring your church, a loved one, or a special occasion. In addition, a goal of this fund is to establish an endowment which can perpetually support new music for worship.

The Concordia Wind Orchestra and Sinfonietta serve many churches through appearances throughout Southern California, the United States, and the world, representing Concordia University of Irvine, California, and its mission as a Great Commission university..

To contribute, please send a check, payable to "Concordia University Foundation"

The New Dimension Fund
c/o Jeff Held
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612

For gifts of $1000 or more, please contact the music director of the Concordia Wind Orchestra to discuss your dedication:

Jeff Held
(949) 214-3420
[email protected]

Hymn Settings Commissioned by the Concordia Orchestras

(many supported by The New Dimension Fund)

2018

  • WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET- congregational hymn accompaniments for wind quintet and organ. Settings of four stanzas, based on their specific texts. arranged by Jeff Held
  • Glorious Things of You are Spoken - congregational hymn accompaniment for full orchestra, adapted from Haydn's "Emperor" Quintet. Arranged by Jeff Held
  • Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won - for sextet of mixed winds (flute, 2 clarinets, bassoon, trumpet, trombone), with an optional congregation and organ
  • From Heaven Above to Earth I Come: A Christmas Cantata for SATB soloists, choir, congregation, and wind orchestra by Craig Naylor

2017

  • JESIAH, DEM PROPHETEN - a choral motet by Michael Praetorius, arranged for antiphonal winds by Jeff Held
  • Christ Alone the World's Redeemer - hymn setting of IN BABILONE, new text by Steven P. Mueller for wind orchestra, organ, choir, and congregation (liturgical dance, ad lib.). Commissioned for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation Concert.

2016

  • A Mighty Fortress is Our God - choral anthem accompanied by full orchestra/organ or brass septet/organ, with optional congregational singing by Dan Forrest, in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
  • “The Church’s One Foundation” - addition of strings to orchestration for winds by Benjamin Culli of Paul Manz’s hymn concertato on AURELIA
  • “Hear Us God of Ages Past” - orchestration for wind orchestra of Walter Pelz’s setting of GROSSER GOTT by Dr. Tom Mueller
  • Gott, der Herr, ist Sonn und Schild, (opening movement of Bach’s cantata for Reformation, BWV 79), transcribed for orchestra (brass playing choral parts) by Mike Zelazo
  • Dance Fantasia on WITTENBERG NEW - a postlude for orchestra by Christian Guebert ‘10
  • “Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds” - hymn accompaniment of NUN DANKET ALL for small orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, strings) by Christian Guebert ‘10
  • “God Has Spoken by His Prophets” - hymn accompaniment of REX GLORIAE for small orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, strings) and organ by Dr. Tom Mueller

2014

  • Music for Reformation: orchestrations of early Lutheran hymn settings for chamber orchestra, cantor/choir, and congregation (flute, clarinet, 2 trumpets (flugelhorn), 2 trombones, tuba, strings) by Christian Guebert ‘10
    • Aus tiefer Not - Martin Luther/Johann Walter
    • “Salvation Unto Us Has Come” - Martin Luther, using a setting by J.S. Bach
    • Choral motet, arr. for orchestra: Gott der Vater wohn uns bei - Michael Praetorius
    • Ein feste Burg - Martin Luther/Johann Walter
  • “Light of Light, O Sole Begotten” - congregational hymn setting of WESTMINSTER ABBEY for wind orchestra, organ, choral descant, and opt. Handbells by Alex Guebert ‘10
  • “Splendor and Honor” - congregational hymn setting of SHADES MOUNTAIN for wind orchestra and opt. Organ and choir by Christian Guebert ‘10

2013

  • St. Edmundsbury’s Awakening (to follow Britten’s St. Edmundsbury Fanfare) for orchestra and organ by Christian Guebert ‘10
  • “Joy to the World” congregational hymn setting of ANTIOCH for orchestra, organ, and large choir by Christian Guebert ‘10

2012

  • “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It” (BACHOFEN) - a hymn concertato for wind orchestra, organ, choir, and congregation by Alex Guebert ‘10
  • LSB Evening Prayer - a congregational setting for piano, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and cantor, by Alex Guebert '10. Includes “Hymn of Light,” Psalm 141 “Let My Prayer Rise Before You,” and Magnificat (LSB 935) “Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord”
  • “He's Risen! He's Risen!” - a congregational hymn concertato of WALTHER for wind orchestra, organ, and choir by Charles Raasch
  • “Lamb of God” (LSB 963) - orchestration of Jeffrey Blersch setting of the Agnus Dei (2 fl, ob, 3 cl, alto cl, b cl, alto sax) by Jeff Held
  • "Lessons from Birds and Such" - a dramatic reading based on Psalm 81 which leads into the singing of "This is the Feast" by Thea Gavin (CUI English professor)
  • Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free - hymn accompaniment to REGION THREE (Walter Pelz hymn tune) for woodwinds by Alex Guebert '10
  • “God of Grace and God of Glory” - a hymn accompaniment of CWM RHONDDA for full orchestra by Charles Raasch
  • “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” - a setting for orchestra with opt. congregational singing by Christian Guebert '10

2011

  • Hark the Herald Angels Sing - an orchestration for wind orchestra of Mack Wilberg's arrangement of this Christmas hymn, by Alex Guebert '10 and Christian Guebert '10
  • LSB Divine Service Setting 1 - wind orchestra accompaniments to "This is the Feast," "Alleluia," "Holy, Holy, Holy," and "Thank the Lord" by Alex Guebert '10
  • “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” - hymn accompaniment to BEACH SPRING for wind orchestra and organ by Christian Guebert ‘10
  • "Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” - orchestrated for wind orchestra, choir, organ, and congregation by Daniel Kallman, based on his previous setting for orchestra
  • Single stanza of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” for cantor, winds, and trumpet descant by Jeff Held

2010

  • Jeff Held orchestrated Paul Manz's concertato on "Praise to the Lord the Almighty," (LOBE DEN HERREN) which was originally scored for organ, brass quartet, choir, and congregation.
  • Jeff Held orchestrated K. Lee Scott's "Have You Not Known?", which was originally scored for organ, brass quartet, choir, and congregation.
  • Christian Guebert '10 composed an original setting of the hymn "Whatever Gifts We Have Received" (DAMASCUS ROAD) for the Concordia Wind Orchestra and congregation. The hymn text was written by Stephen Starke in honor of Concordia's graduating Class of 2010, of which Christian was a member. Christian is now working on a master's degree in composition at Cal State Fullerton.
  • Alex Guebert '10 composed an original setting of the hymn "We All Are One in Mission" (KUORTANE) for the Concordia Wind Orchestra and congregation.
  • Michael Burkhardt composed an original setting of the hymn "Lord You Call Us As Your People." The hymn text was written by Concordia professor, Rev. Dr. Steven P. Mueller '86, on the occasion of the inauguration of President Kurt J. Krueger. Burkhardt, who is internationally known as a church music composer, organist, and clinician, was commissioned to compose this setting for the Concordia Wind Orchestra, choir, and congregation.
  • Concordia University Alma Mater, “Hail to Thee Concordia” - accompaniment for orchestra by Christian Guebert ‘10

2009

  • “On Christmas Night, All Christians Sing” - hymn concertato (SUSSEX CAROL) for wind orchestra, large choir, and congregation
  • Evening Prayer - an accompaniment for wind orchestra and cantor (Charles Raasch)
  • My Song is Love Unknown - hymn accompaniment for wind orchestra and organ (Charles Raasch)
  • No Tramp of Soldiers' Marching Feet - hymn accompaniment for wind orchestra and organ (Charles Raasch)
  • Come Holy Ghost Our Souls Inspire - hymn accompaniment for wind orchestra (Charles Raasch)
  • Portraits of the Word - 3 movement concert work for wind orchestra, based on a series of paintings by the same name

2007

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