Description
The Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop is an opportunity for students of Concordia Seminary, as well as other hymn writers and translators, to gather together and learn from an expert in the field about the mechanics and craft of writing hymn texts.
This workshop is offered especially to students of Concordia Seminary to equip them to participate in the annual Pamela Ann Prevallet Hymn Competition. Although the competition is open to current first, second and vicarage M.Div. students, as well as residential Deaconess Studies students, all Concordia Seminary students may participate in this hymn writing workshop to learn or to sharpen their skills in hymn writing.
This year’s keynote presenter will be Dr. David Rogner, Distinguished Professor of English at Concordia University Chicago, where he has served since 1986. Rogner’s areas of expertise include British Romanticism, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 19th and 20th century poetry, hymnody and the intersection of Christian art and poetry. Rogner’s hymn texts and poetry have been published by Concordia Publishing House and MorningStar Music, and two of his hymns are included in Lutheran Service Book.
A copy of “The Anatomy of Hymnody” by Austin C. Lovelace will be provided to each participant at registration.
Presentations will take place in CH-012, located in the lower level of the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. The presentations will also be made available live by Zoom to all vicars and other off-campus students. Free copies of “The Anatomy of Hymnody” will be sent to vicars by email request to Dr. Jon Vieker, Dean of Chapel.
Register
Registration deadline: Feb. 5, 2025
Schedule
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Registration, coffee and donuts, meet-and-greet with the presenters |
| 9-10:15 a.m. | Presentation |
| 10:15-10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30-noon | Presentation |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch (on your own) |
| 1-3 p.m. | Optional individual coaching. Participants may bring texts they have been working on to share with Rogner and other hymn writers and coaches who will be available. |
*The Pamela Anne Prevallet Memorial Fund Hymn Competition was created in June 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Prevallet in remembrance of their daughter. Though Pamela Anne’s limited abilities prevented her from participating in many things other children could enjoy, it was clear in her short life that music was dear to her, in particular the sound of hymns practiced at home by her mother, a church organist. It is thus fitting that she be remembered in this way. It is also a way of supporting seminary students and encouraging church music and liturgical musical excellence. For many years Mr. Prevallet was chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Regents. His widow, Martha, has served as a church organist for 40 years, and resides in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Eligible applicants to the Prevallet Hymn Competition may apply through the Financial Aid Office. This year’s deadline for applying is Aug. 1, 2025.