Ryan's Trinity Seminary Journey

Last Classes

2010-06-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

Friend,

The morning brings my last classes of summer term at Trinity with exams to follow on Friday. How fitting to dive deep into Revelation in the morning as my last summer term comes to a close! It has been a joy to keep you informed; perhaps a quick final post on Friday from the airport and this blog will come to a close about Summer Terms! I look forward to returning to Trinity for graduation next year!

Blessings and Thanks for all you support!

Ryan

The MONK is Closing!

2010-06-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

Many of you over the years have heard me talk about the "Monk" (restaurant and bar) across the street from the seminary. We found out that it is closing this weekend, so as my last chapter of classes ends on Friday, so will the Monk. We often study at the Monk and enjoy the company of each other outside the classroom, thus my close group of friends all made it on the news last night in Columbus as we enjoyed one of our final toasts to the Monk and our time together at Trinity. We all will graduate together next May!

Last Week at Trinity

2010-06-21T18:04:00.001-07:00

Friends,

It was sad this morning to start my last full week at the seminary - after this week I only have a few lessons and one on-line class and then graduation.

This week at the seminary is light in class load but I am busy preparing for my liturgy jury and New Testament final exam. I will return to FL late on Friday and look forward to being back at Lamb of God on Sunday and in the office sometime next week.

I have missed Lamb of God this year more than ever - and missed hearing from many of you!

Psalm 32 - Composed this Week for Worship

2010-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

I composed this setting for worship of Psalm 32. Listen for the descant which also functions as the psalm tone. The harmony of the refrain is also based on the jazz like psalm tone.

Thoughts from Choral Conducting Class

2010-06-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Isolate+Drill+Integrate = Solution

Listen, Imagine, Breath, Sing

Friday Evening

2010-06-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

What a great week - and a great ending.

The organ Master Class and lessons group did our "concert" today on the mighty Fritts organ. Everything went well, minus a few missed notes on the Bach! I am going to return to Florida with a renewed passion in preparing some organ music and some new insights and music, as well as performance practise and practise tips.

Conducting class with Dr. Ward is also finished this week - one of the best classes at Trinity so far for me. It was great to include these last few days some "stick" work and begin study on the Bach Motet that Lamb of God Chorale will do during our next concert and worship series....... Yes, Lamb of God Chorale will be doing the first major Bach work in our history together!

I had a chance today to lead the musicians in a moving Taize service of prayer and song with a group that included: Piano, Guitar, Flute and Trombone..... it was awesome.

Next week will include some final choral work and a focus on the final exam on the New Testament.... as well as my Organ Jury.

Fritts Organ - Notice the Flat Pedal Board ! A challenge to play!

2010-06-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

A clip from Organ Master Class Today on the Fritts

2010-06-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

The sound does not the do the massive organ justice, but gives a good look at this German Organ that is one of the best in America - and yes, it can be played by one person pumping the air. I was lucky today to be able to do a "walk" thru the insides and pump it by foot.... each wind chamber has 800 pounds that you can lift to provide air by 100 pounds of body weight.

Choral Conducting Class

2010-06-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day at the Seminary -

I highlight of the week is conducting studies with Dr. Ward from the Ohio State!

2 and a half hours each afternoon with him is just wonderful, today working on mixed meter, solfege, and well everything....

For my chorale singers at Lamb of God you might hear next year this thought:

You don't walk like you dance - nor sing like you talk! Think about that and share your thoughts with me! So simple, but so profound.

Organ MasterClass This Week

2010-06-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week 2!

This week I am taken a Organ Master Class at St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Columbus. The organ is Fritts, Opus 25. It is awesome, huge 3 manuel tracker, you can even pump it by foot if you wish (well several people could). It is in the german style and is wonderful for playing the music of Bach, which I did today. I enjoyed playing my first ever flat pedal board!

Good Morning

2010-06-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hello from a finally sunny and warm Trinity Seminary.

Many might wonder what I do on the weekends with no class. I always like to say first and most important - SLEEP and Study! It is nice to get out and about with classmates, as well as visit congregations (but I must confess that this morning I visited that wonderful congregation of St. Mattress).

This afternoon some of us are going to try to visit the Museum of Art in Downtown Columbus.

Being at the seminary helps me work on some Lamb of God projects as well. In fact this morning I outlined the next Lessons and Carols Service for Lamb of God, based on readings from Isaiah and Luke:

"Savior of the Nations, Come: The World Prepares for Christ's Birth"

In Thee Is Gladness

2010-06-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Music from Worship on June 9th

I played the organ and piano for worship that Eucharist Day.

The Gospels

2010-06-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening.....

It was awesome today to start the deep study of the Gospels or Canon of the New Testament. Dr.Powell's sense of humor helps at the early 8 a.m. start of the class each morning... even his text book is full of humor and hidden fun.

Today we took a close look at the relationship between Mark and Matthew - do you know why Matthew is first in the New Testament but Mark was authored before Mathew was? Simply put - the Roman Catholic church favors the Gospel of Matthew over any other, the Gospel of Matthew (not necessarily written by "Matthew") includes the most references to the church and Peter. The Gospel of Mark was written first and the foundation from which Matthew was authored.

I could share more - perhaps with another post - Im off to sneak into the building for some practise before our final hymn improvisation class in the morning and much looked forward weekend!

Organ at First Congregation in Downtown

2010-06-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

My Practise and Class Organ for this week! She is wonderful!

I hope to post some sound clips soon!

First Days of Class

2010-06-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello!

What a wonderful day of class on this cool and rainy Tuesday. Organ Master Class on Improvisation was great today on the Gallery Organ at First Church in Downtown Columbus. The 73 rank Tracker Organ, 3 Manuels, was built in 1972. This organ is in the balcony of the church and the front of the sanctuary has another HUGE Kimball organ making it one of the few churches in the World that have 2 large instruments in one worship space. My improvisation and work today was on the hymn "Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus".

New Testament is a wonderful class focusing on the historical development of the Canon as well as the 4 Gospels this week - it is a wonderful way to start each day.

I am leading worship in the morning from the Organ and will try to post some video or sound clips of that service!

Until Then
Ryan

Trinity Seminary 2010

2010-06-06T13:07:00.001-07:00

Good Sunday To All!

I am happy to be starting this blog before classes start this year, this year promises to be a busy and slightly more relaxing year at the seminary. I have only 7 hours to take as I approach my goal of being finished by next May 2011.

I have the following classes this summer:

Introduction to New Testament with Mark Allen Powell (all morning every morning)
Liturgical Choir (every day)
Worship (every day)
Choral Conducting (one week)
Organ Master Class, Hymn Playing (one week)
Organ Master Class and Lessons with the Masters (like Bach and Mendelssohn)

Do stay in touch Rhostler@lambofgodhainescity.com

Lecture thoughts from worship class...

2009-06-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Lisa Dahill

"The greatest value of worship, the reason people come to church at all rather than staying home with their TVs, is finally not entertainment. It’s, well, worship. The reason people come to church is to experience those moments when liturgy and music and readings and prayers and sacraments and the faces of loved ones – indeed, our own body and life and all the world and cosmos – being to shine with the glory of God who transcends and pervades all things… Such worship is not fed by unceasing novelty. Novelty keeps us tied to the bulletin or the screen to find out what’s happening now…. Worship, rather, is fed by enough familiarity that we can trust the service itself at some point to carry us and move into the real presence."

Worship thoughts from class

2009-06-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Paul Westermeyer in the book "Inside Out, Worship in the age of Mission"

“The ethical issue here (worship wars) is generated by an ecclesiological (the study of the church itself) reality. The being of the church under God’s sustenance frees us to treat one another with integrity. Once we get that right, we can begin to discuss music.”

“The song of the gathered church is for the baptized when they gather, hospitably open to the world, which is invited to listen and join. The scattered, however, addresses its musical activity not to the baptized but to the world.”

2009-06-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is the setting of Psalm 29 I composed the first week I was at Trinity - for use on Trinity Sunday. (the bells clang at the start - that is not a part of setting!)

Blessings!
Ryan

2009-06-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

I share a recent part of worship with you - I am on the organ playing for this congregational hymn.

2009-06-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Another week has flown by and I am busy this weekend preparing several papers and worship projects/outlines for Worship Class.

One of my classes, "Leading the Song of the Church" was finished this Friday and I am happy to report was wonderful and my last needed core music leadership class! The light is brighter at the end of the tunnel!

This class was a good review and I picked up some new ideas and styles and shared many of my own. Including some new Psalm ideas.

Worship this week was just awesome as we heard the words that we sing every week in the Sanctus: "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the call and response "Here, I am Lord..."

My professor treated us to a wonderful sermon, that seemed to be, for those us in here morning class, an extension of her lecture that morning on Baptism... If you would like to read it follow the link below.

http://www.trinitylutheranseminary.edu/Worship-Music/Sermons/Dahill%20Holy%20Trinity%20B%20061009.pdf

Another Summer

2009-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings From Trinity,

This post is a week late, but better late than never. Things have been very busy since classes started last week.

Introduction to Christian Worship is a wonderful class that is diving deeply into the history of worship, liturgy in the context of the Means and Grace of the ELCA.

Also this week I am taking Liturgical Choir, and Leading the Church's Song - both classes working on the practicum side of worship and liturgy.

I was happy to turn in my composition Jury: A Setting of Psalm 29, Introductions for Ten Hymns, and a Hymn setting for multiple instruments (on the tune Kingsfold). I am waiting to get the results, but feel confident since we are using the Psalm in worship this week during Holy Trinity.

So long for now - Ryan

Final Evenings....

2008-06-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts!

WOW what a day and week - the final week is the challenge and joy of every student.

My lesson today with Mr. John Carter has been a highlight of learning at Trinity. I spent 3 hours with him in a closed room talking about music in the church and how my gifts and those of Lamb of God should be put on paper. He is real and honest and not just a composer of music - he works in the church and leads worship with is wife (a graduate of Trinity!). He enjoyed my simplicity in many of my projects this summer and encouraged me to send some to publishers. I almost cant sleep knowing that we are going to work together again on liturgy and hymnody and he is going to share some unpublished material he doing for his own congregation.

I keep thinking over and over again how he spoke so highly of my congregation, Lamb of God, and their love of singing, liturgy, and music in the church. The ability to work for hours with a master of church music composition is a great gift.

Looking forward to the journey home!

Sunday Evening - Study Outside!

2008-06-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Enjoying some nice weather today - and working on my Church History Mid-Term as well as preparing some final chapters in our text as we work our way to the reformations.

The courtyard at Trinity is just a wonderful place to work - and you can pick up internet from the library.

I will keep you posted as I begin the final week of study!

I treated myself to a movie today as the historic movie theater on Main Street!

Blessings

Ryan

Friday Night - Another Storm!

2008-06-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Good Evening from the Seminary -

Sorry for the lack of posts - yesterday we had a thunderstorm come thru the area and leave much of the Columbus area with no power and minor damage. I enjoyed the storm, until the power went off - in the middle of a large paper being edited. I went to bed at midnight with the power still off - but did wake this morning being able to turn the coffee pot on. With some extra work and thanks for the battery in my laptop the paper was turned in this afternoon.

Again this evening it it storming - so I am staying in to do some reading and work on a midterm exam for Church History due Monday.

I had the treat today to be greeted by Harold H. and his daughter as they visited Trinity and the area. It was so great to share time together in his seminary - I will have to talk to the Dean for some good stories!

Only a week to go - I start composition lessons next week with John Carter, this will be a real treat!

Ryan

This Week at Trinity

2008-06-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hello

Another busy week, but I did take time tonight for a wonderful Jazz concert by the Jeni Flemming Trio ( daughter of the seminary president)!

Church History is crazy busy and full of information.
A wonderful test of the 4 major councils and how the church responded to internal challenge awaits. I have polished my Gnosticism, Marcionism, and Montanism - let the test begin!
I have enjoyed knowing the history of the Creed of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed - and look forward to looking at the shift from martyrdom to monasticsm at the end of the week.

I played both Monday and Tuesday worship - ELW Morning Prayer and today the ELW Healing Service. Both services were wonderful and I look forward to enjoying worship for the next few days in the pew! Working on a few organ compositions- and looking forward to working the John Carter next week on composition.

Ryan

2008-06-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from around the campus and chapel - the organ is wonderful and the worship space is one of the most flexible and inviting. An interesting note is the font has running water all the time, always in motion.

2008-06-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

From my Saturday Morning Readings:

The ministry of the musician is not derived from that of the pastor, nor is it dependent on or subordinate to that of the pastor. The ministry of music derives from the character of the Gospel. The Kingdom of God has begun and is moving in history toward its consummation and final victory. Therefore the church, which is created by the final redeeming event of Jesus, must sing the new song of the Kingdom of God. The ministry of the musician is to facilitate the singing of the new song so that the church can be what God calls it to be and do what God calls it to do. The musician plans how this shall be done in the assembly by composing and by drawing on the compositions of others, by mixing repetition and variety, by facilitating the "conversation" between leaders and congregations, by using a variety of instrumental and vocal soloists and ensembles to supplement and/or support the congregation. The musician plans how this shall be done by taking into account the limitations, abilities, and tastes of the congregation, and also by identifying and utilizing the rich variety of gifts with which God has gifted the congregation, and indeed, the universal church.

Excerpt from a speech by Walter R BoumanPastors and Musicians: Partners in Proclamation,Association of Lutheran Church Musicians,Region Ill Conference, 1988

Friday - Church History

2008-06-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

I compare the church history class today to the History Channel.

Dr. Karanja gives the most powerful lecture - a sermon of 2 hours that sucks you in.

The question today of whether Constantine was a genuine Christian was most interesting, I seemed to give him the most grace. He was a smart politician, he knew how to bridge the gap between paganism and Christianity without offending anyone one (for the most part). He was not a Christian of the 21st century I pointed out - he was a Christian of his time - that was the reason he was baptized as he died.

Could this bridge over to worship wars? Funny how the classes all bleed together.

It was wonderful to establish why we worship on Sunday - the formation of choirs - the introduction of albs and vestments. All because of Constantine.

We also had wonderful discussions after Dr. Karanja asked us on Tuesday to compare Martyrs of the Early Church (many who wanted to be ) with current suicide bombers. On Thursday a 9-11 attacker asked in US court to be made a martyr. WOW - current events at work. I could type for hours about that - I can say this talk this morning was interesting.

peace
Ryan

Thursday Mid Day

2008-06-04T20:07:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Today was great - I was at the organ for worship and will again lead worship in a setting of Morning Prayer by Marty Haugen on Friday.

Classes are wonderful and very busy - minus the constant rain and thunderstorms of Ohio for the past 48 hours.

We are looking hard at early Christian persecution and Martyrs and tommorow will dive into the early Canons and the creation of the Creeds.

In building Parish Music Programs I am starting to plan a vey exciting multimedia hymn festival for Lamb of God in the Spring of 2009 - "A Celebration of God's People and Their Song"

Doing some exciting reading ( at least I am trying to make it that way) for Persons in Minstry by D.W. Winnicott on the forming of self and soul for ministry.

Welcome!

2008-06-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Trinity Journal!
I am just getting set up and all unpacked after 2 full days of classes!
As the rain falls this evening I did some reading and now will try to hit the organ as I have to play worship in the morning.

Classes are great - a jammed packed first week.
My schedule is:
Themes in Church History 8:00 - 10:15
Chapel and Choir Rehearsals 10:30 - 12:00
Building Parish Music Programs 1:00 - 4:30
Persons in Ministry 4:45 - 6:15

THEN I READ and READ and READ some more!

We had a wonderful conversation and presentation today by Robert Hobby, a wonderful church musician in Fort Wayne. It was a treat for him to remember meeting me in 1996 when I played tympani for him at a Grace Lutheran Hymn Festival in Winter Haven!

Next week I start composition lessons and review to prepare for my composition jury that I will do at home after leaving for the summer!

I will have some pictures soon~!
Blessings
Ryan