Organist to perform 'A Hymn Festival' at Bethany Lutheran

David Cherwien, artistic director of the National Lutheran Choir and nationally known conductor, composer and organist, will perform "A Hymn Festival" at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Recognized for his contributions to the field of church music and liturgy, Cherwien is in demand as a clinician and hymn festival leader across the country.

Cherwien serves as editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series of choral music published by Morningstar Music Publishers. He is a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and has served in its leadership in a variety of capacities, including as national president from 1993-97. He is a member of the American Choral Director's Association, American Guild of Organists, Chorus America and Choristers Guild.

In addition, he serves as cantor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a parish known for its passion for creative high quality liturgy and music.

Cherwien holds the doctor of musical arts degree in organ performance and the master of arts degree in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota. In the fall of 2000, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by Augsburg College, Minneapolis, where he studied choral music education and organ performance as an undergraduate. He also spent two years at the Berlin Church Music School studying conducting, composition and organ.

Cherwien is the 2007 winner of the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition for his piece "The Souls of the Righteous."

Cherwien will present a program in the form of a hymn festival with solo performances, choir and congregational participation. There is no admission fee. A freewill offering will be taken following the festival.

Bethany Lutheran Church is a community of faith committed to gathering people together for renewal and service. Located at the corner of Crystal Lake and McHenry avenues, the congregation has a global mission with a downtown Crystal Lake center.

For more information, visit www.BethanyCL.com.