On June 3, Bruce A. Bengtson retired as director of music at Luther Memorial Church, Madison, Wisconsin. He held this position since January 1978, having served as principal organist, choral director for three choirs and two ensemble groups, as well as playing a free noon organ concert every week during the school year.
Bengtson began organ study at age 11 with William Fawk of Salem, Oregon. Undergraduate study was with Robert T. Anderson at Southern Methodist University. He won first prizes in two national competitions in 1975: First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the Clarence Mader Competition, Los Angeles, California, and first place in the state competition held at University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Texas, then known as the Minnie Piper Competition. Graduate organ and church music study was with Philip Gehring at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. Bengtson has presented organ recitals throughout North America and Europe, including programs for conventions of the American Guild of Organists, Organ Historical Society, and workshops and service playing conferences for the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and Choristers Guild.
Luther Memorial Church has announced that Andrew Schaeffer will begin as the congregation’s new director of music on December 1. (See the Appointments column in the November issue.)
For information: www.luthermem.org.
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