A Message from Lars

I am thrilled to start another choir season at Bethesda. My first year in this ministry was exciting, busy, and rewarding. It has been a joy to get to know everybody and to work with all of you to grow and enhance our music ministry. It is a joy to hear the strength and vigor of the congregational singing. I am moved by your warm fellowship. Thanks to singers and instrumentalists for providing special music throughout the year. I would love to involve even more of you as musical leaders! I look forward to working with the youth to add more dimensions to our music life. Thanks to choir members for your service so far! I am humbled to be allowed to lead you forward. If you are a singer but not in the choir, please consider joining us! Choral music-making provides life-changing experiences and friendships. Please contact me if you have questions about joining the choir or if you would like to contribute special music in our services. I look forward to another exciting year of music making that will enrich our liturgy and provide moving musical experiences that help raise funds for social ministries. Bethesda is a great community and we will offer our best in worship for yet another season!
Lars Gjerde, Director of Music

Biography

Lars Gjerde, from Aure, Norway, is a doctoral candidate in organ performance with Prof. David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he has earned a master’s degree and the Sacred Music Diploma. At Eastman, Lars has studied organ literature with Dr. Hans Davidsson, harpsichord and improvisation with Dr. William Porter, and jazz piano with Prof. Tony Caramia. Lars taught secondary organ lessons at Eastman and sang alto with the Christ Church Schola Cantorum under Stephen Kennedy. From the fall of 2010, Lars is the Director of Music at Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Lars received degrees in music and German from Augustana College of Liberal Arts (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) and the Edvard Grieg Academy of Music (Bergen, Norway). At Augustana, Lars served as the Chapel Organist, sang with the concert and chamber choirs, and accompanied choral and opera ensembles. He was Organist and Choir Director at First Methodist Church in Bergen, where he also sang with the distinguished Bergen Domkantori under Magnar Mangersnes. Lars was a Second National Winner in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Organ Competition and earned Honorable Mention in the Reuter/Augustana Arts National Undergraduate Organ Competition. He has won numerous music and academic scholarships. Lars has participated in academies and performed around America and Europe, and he has played on the National Public Radio show Pipedreams! Lars is active as a free-lance concert artist through Encore Music Creations.

You can contact Lars at music@bethesdanewhaven.org

View Lars' web page.

www.LarsGjerde.com
www.EncoreMusicCreations.com