August 3, 2007
by Lauren A. Lamb

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM), a professional organization dedicated to strengthening the ministry of music in the Lutheran church, will move its headquarters to Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., in August. Valparaiso University is an independent Lutheran institution.

David Eicher, interim executive director of ALCM, said Valparaiso is a good fit for the organization and will add a great deal of energy to its work. ALCM has a membership of about 1,500 full- time and part-time church musicians drawn from all major Lutheran church bodies in the United States and Canada. Its members work to strengthen the Lutheran liturgical heritage, support the role of church musicians and enhance professional relationships between clergy and musicians, according to a university news release.

ALCM's move will provide another connection for students preparing for church vocations and enhance Valparaiso's long history of being in the vanguard of new worship practices, said Dr. Lorraine Brugh, director of music at the university's Chapel of the Resurrection.

ELCA News Service
Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.