LARRY E. SCHULTZ
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Resonate! 

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a Blog related to Communal Music
Making music, we resonate with all that is.
Adding words, we resonate meaning.

A Musical, Curriculum, Anthems, 6 Song Collections, and 450 Hymns…

4/5/2023

 
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Years after being influenced and inspired by the work of hymn poet, Brian Wren (see previous blog post), I met Jann Aldredge-Clanton with whom I enjoyed a 23-year collaboration. Jann was a minister, author, English professor, lyricist, hymn poet, hospital chaplain and feminist theologian (quite qualified to write effective and prophetic words for the church!). In the spring of 2001, I heard Jann offer the Covenant Address for the Alliance of Baptists Convocation. She powerfully encouraged congregations to discover and reclaim images of the Divine Feminine – and to sing them in worship. She underscored the biblical foundations and the many reasons to sing of God as “She” and “Her” – not the least of which was to liberate all from oppressive patriarchy and to exclaim the truth that females are in the Divine Image.

Several months after hearing Jann’s address, I became Minister of Music for Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. With her words still ringing in my ears and a congregation eager to sing of the Divine Feminine, I reached out to introduce myself to Jann. Revealing I was a composer, I asked if she had any texts I could set to music. On September 11, 2001 (a morning that was met with unspeakable tragedy), I discovered an email from Jann that included a hymn text for me to set. The text she sent, “Are You Good and Are You Strong?” was a theodicy (questioning the presence of goodness in midst of evil). The words were unbelievably timely and cathartic for the particular day on which I received them.

Our 23-year creative partnership resulted in a musical, curriculum, anthems, 6 song collections, and 450 hymns. Though I have provided new tunes and arrangements for many of Jann’s hymns, I have typeset all of them for our collections, and in doing so, have been a student of her ministry.  

On September 20, 2024, days after completing our sixth song collection, Jann died of ovarian cancer. Healing Streams: Inclusive Songs, Prayers, and Readings for All Ages, is now published and available to the world. Because Jann's prolific work has left a treasury of lyrics yet to be musically set, our creative work will continue. Jann will continue to speak through the vibrant voices of congregations and choirs.

Works by
​Jann Aldredge-Clanton & Larry E. Schultz
Feminist theology, like other specific theologies, intersects with many areas of thought, study, concern and celebration. The works Jann and I have created together support these areas and engage justices of all kinds – from gender and racial to economic and ecological. With ever-evolving language, we seek to provide words and music for worship that uplift all persons of innumerable and wonderful descriptions.

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    Larry E. Schultz is a Minister of Music, composer, hymn writer, and music teacher.

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  • Congregational Music
    • Downloadable Congregational Music >
      • Hymns
      • Songs
      • Collections
    • Published Congregational Music
    • Downloadable Hymn Enhancements
  • Choral Music
    • Downloadable Choral Music (Church) >
      • Anthems >
        • Unison, Two-Part & Mixed
        • SATB
      • Service Music
      • Hymn Enhancements
    • Published Choral Music (Church)
    • Downloadable Choral Music (School & Community) >
      • Unison, Two-Part & Mixed
      • SATB
    • Published Choral Music (School & Community)
    • Downloadable Vocal Exercises
  • Instrumental Music
    • Downloadable Instrumental Music (Church) >
      • Hymn Accompaniments
      • Hymn Obbligatos
    • Downloadable Instrumental Music (School & Community)
  • Vocal Solos/Duets
  • Music Instruction
    • Piano Lessons
    • Voice Lessons
    • Composition Lessons
    • Music Theory Instruction
    • Sight-Singing/Ear Training
    • Student Page
  • Resonate! (Blog)
  • About Larry
    • Minister
    • Composer
    • Hymn Writer
    • Teacher
    • Commissions, Awards & Collaborators
    • Music Typesetting