Bruce Perry is coordinator of worship activities at Grace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge. In addition to directing adult vocal and hand bell choirs, he works with pastoral and music staff to plan all aspects of traditional and blended worship experiences.

In the community, Perry maintains an active musical schedule as a conductor, private teacher and pianist. During the past thirteen seasons with Fort Dodge Choral Society, Bruce has conducted and prepared the group for more than 40 different concert programs. As a teacher, he works with many of the area’s finest singers; more than forty of his former students are currently pursing careers in the musical world. As a pianist, Bruce has performed throughout the Midwest and in Brazil. In his spare time, he enjoys computers, deltiology, and collecting antiques. Perry is a native of Sac City, Iowa, where he now resides. He holds degrees in piano and vocal performance from Luther College and the University of Iowa.

Music in Worship

The simple ad ran for several weeks in the weekly rural paper, and then disappeared:

Wanted: pre-K vocal and instrumental music director. Applicant should have excellent keyboard and inter-personal skills, be well-versed in all styles of music, and exhibit a keen understanding of liturgics. Contact church at __-___ for information about this part-time position.

Several weeks later, the church bulletin listed “Synthia” as the new musician for the day. One English teacher in the congregation was sure the spelling was in error; upon boldly correcting the pastor, the teacher learned that “Synthia” was short for “Synthesizer.”

As the new R&S Chair for Music in Worship, I fear this scenario will be the future for many congregations. What can ICDA members do to help? My first goal is to assemble a mailing list of current and prospective church musicians. Many current ICDA members are actively involved in church music; unfortunately, far more church musicians are not actively involved in ICDA.

If you are a church musician and not currently involved in ICDA, I would love to get acquainted with you. If you are currently involved with ICDA, please send contact information for any church musicians who are not currently involved with ICDA to me. By working together, we can help assure the fu ture of live music as a part of worship.

Bruce Perry
Music & Worship R&S Chair
worship-chair@iowachoral.org