Hymn of the Week: May 18-22 LSB 494: See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph

Although we are still in the Easter season, “See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph” tell us about Christ’s bodily ascension into heaven. 40 days after Easter, Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to them and help them to witness to others about him. He then rose up and was taken from their sight.

This hymn triumphantly proclaims Christ’s ascension through both its text and its music. The sturdy and kingly melody accompanies words that describe Jesus as our King, triumphantly riding to the gates of heaven in a chariot. The “Lord ascends in triumph” because he has conquered sin, death, and Satan. He is going to take his place at the Father’s right hand and rule over heaven and earth.

Comp. of the Week: May 11-15 Aaron Copland (1900-1991) Fanfare for the Common Man

Fanfares are musical compositions used to announce very important people like Kings and Queens. Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, though, is a fanfare to celebrate people all over the world. Copland composed this piece for brass and percussion instruments (yes, including the best instrument in the orchestra!). You will hear the opening statement played by the bass drum and the gong followed by the trumpets playing a powerful theme. The second time we hear the theme, it is played on the French horn (!!!) which makes it sound regal. The third time the theme is played, we hear the trombones and timpani added. The tubas are added the fourth time.

Hymn of the Week: May 11-15 LSB 463: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia

“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia” is an invitation to the “Paschal Feast”, the celebration of Easter Day. The word paschal comes from the Greek pascha which itself comes from the Hebrew word pesach, meaning “Passover”. Paschal originally referred to the Passover, then, but soon came to refer to Christ’s Passion. Later, it came to refer to the Resurrection which is why we call Easter the “Paschal Feast”. The author of the hymn, thought to be Wipo of Burgundy in the 11th century, connects Christ to the Passover lamb.

What We're Reading - May 2020

As we near the end of the 2019-2020 school year under circumstances that no one could have ever predicted when the year began, we still give thanks for the relationships and partnerships we have with our families. We are grateful for the ways that our Immanuel community continues to come together and support one another as we navigate this new path and figure out new rhythms and routines for our families. While seeing photos of your Learn at Home days, videos of students learning with siblings, or checking in via Zoom can never replace the joy and delight of our days together in the classrooms and on the playground, we are grateful for the ways that we are still able to connect and engage with one another and continue on the path we began in September as we started our year.

We wanted to continue our "What we're reading..." series for May and include some articles our faculty and staff have found inspiring or encouraging in these uncertain times, and that we hope will continue our ongoing conversation about how we shape our culture together at home and at school.

Thank you for your continued partnership, and for engaging with us in these ongoing conversations and for sharing items you have read that may be inspiring to others in our ILS community! Please feel free to share a link in the comments to email us any time!

Comp. of the Week: May 4-8 Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina (1525/6-1594) Missa Aeterna Christi Munera - 2. Gloria

Palestrina lived more than 400 years ago and composed music that was unaccompanied by instruments called a cappella music. Cappella is the Italian word for chapel (which comes from the Latin) because this choral music was sung in cathedrals or chapels. In fact, “Gloria” from Missa Aeterna Christi Munera is part of a Mass or a church service. If you go to Immanuel or another church that uses the liturgy, you sing a “Gloria” every Sunday: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth” or “Glory be to God on high and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Palestrina composed his own version of the Gloria sung in Latin.

Hymn of the Week: May 4-8 LSB 458: Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

“Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” is Martin Luther’s hymn for Easter Day. It is still the Easter season, so we are still singing Easter hymns! The first half of stanza 1 tells us the story of Easter, how Christ who once was dead—he “lay in death’s strong bands”—now is risen and reigns at God the Father’s right hand in heaven. Luther then tells us that because of this, we should be joyful and sing Alleluia!

Luther describes death as strong—“death’s strong bands”. We certainly know this is true. Death seems scary and final. But Jesus went to suffer and die for us—“for our offenses given”. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are joyful. Death has been defeated! Jesus rose again and destroyed death’s strength. Now, even though we die, we shall live.

Comp. of the Week: April 27-May 1 Georges Bizet (1838-1875) Prélude to Carmen

Georges Bizet (George BEE-zay) wrote the opera Carmen. An opera is a story told through song. An opera prelude is the music that you hear right before the opera begins. Preludes generally include the melodies of songs you will hear later in the opera. Bizet’s Prélude to Carmen has a lively and energetic opening marked with the use of timpani, cymbals, and triangles. The opening is followed by a more lyrical aria that you will hear later in the opera, and the prelude concludes with more fast and exciting music. Bizet wants the music to sound like crowds gathering for a bullfight.

Hymn of the Week: April 27-May 1 LSB 709: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The Latin name given to this past Sunday is “Misericordias Domini”, mercies of the Lord, taken from the first line of the Introit: “The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord”; however, Sunday is commonly referred to as “Good Shepherd” Sunday based on the Gospel reading (John 10). It makes sense, then, that we would sing “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”.

This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The “King of love” is Jesus, also called our shepherd. His goodness never stops, and he provides us with everything we need. The final line of stanza 1, “I am His and He is mine forever”, reminds us of part of Sunday’s Gospel: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14). We are still celebrating Eastertide, and this hymn reminds us that Jesus has risen and so grants us eternal life with him in heaven.

Comp. of the Week: April 20-24 Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major - 3. Rondo: Allegro

Franz Joseph Haydn was a Classical composer: Classical composers were “Enlightened” men, developing sonata form like Franz Haydn. Mozart was another who liked clarity. Such balanced melodies occurred until 1830. Ohhhh, this is the musical timeline! It starts with the Early Age. Then it’s Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical, Romantic, and not to forget the Modern Day!

It’s another concerto! Do you remember what a concerto is? A concerto is a piece of music in which the whole orchestra plays but one instrument gets a special part. In this piece, “Cello Concerto No. 2”, it is the cello that gets the special part. The tricky part about a cello concerto is that it is difficult for a cello to be heard above the other instruments because it is so low. It is much easier for us to hear instruments that are higher-pitched, instruments like the piccolo. Haydn solved this problem by having the rest of the orchestra only play light, musical decorations while the cello is playing. In this piece, we hear the cello and orchestra taking turns to play, almost like they are having a musical conversation.

Hymn of the Week: April 20-24 LSB 471: O Sons and Daughters of the King

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

So says Jesus to the well-known “doubting” Thomas, the story which this week’s hymn details. “O Sons and Daughters of the King” is an Easter hymn which tells how, when the disciples were gathered in fear one night, Jesus appeared to them. When they later told the story to Thomas who was not with them, he told them he would not believe unless he saw and touched the crucifixion marks on Jesus’ body. Jesus again appeared to the disciples, this time with Thomas present. He then invited Thomas to touch the marks in his hands and side.