Music of the Church

Inaugural Instructor Dr. David Cherwien

Starts February 2026!

Private lessons offer one-on-one learning to mentor student skill with a choice of focus areas in sacred music. Choose your option for Lesson Purpose with systematic learning! Inaugural options are taught by instructor Dr. David Cherwien with curriculum specific to each purpose.  

David Cherwien served as Cantor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis from 2001-2024, continuing the tradition of creative hymn singing. From 2001 until 2022 he also served as Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir. Prior to those he has served in church music positions in Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle, and Berlin, Germany. He is a nationally known conductor, composer and organist. Recognized for his contributions to the field of church music and liturgy, he is often called upon to serve as clinician and hymn festival leader across the country. 

He has composed and published a considerable amount of music for the church with several publishers. During his time with the National Lutheran Choir, he served as editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series of choral music published by Morningstar Music Publishers and produced many recordings including the “Hymns We Love To Sing” series which is still available at www.nlca.com. He is a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and has served in its leadership in a variety of capacities, including as National President from 1993 to 1997. 

Lesson Purpose Options

1: Congregational Song
Rather than the accompanying instruments, the congregation itself is the instrument to be guided into song. What do they need? The assembly song needs encouragement, implementation and support.

Through mainly organ and piano, these one-on-one lessons will systematically look at the basics of hymn/liturgy playing, breathing, tempo, registration, and the harmony and settings. Learning begins with basic hymns and moves to more complex hymnody. In addition, since these hymns/songs come from different eras and different parts of the world more today than in the past, how can one learn from its origins? This includes articulation, tempo, or even moving to piano and other instruments as appropriate, as informed by the stylistic elements of its origins to consider. The goal is always to invite an assembly into meaningful, natural, free and open participation

Included with lessons: Two Seminar Sessions per term. An Assembly Song Masterclass, these students of the Academy all come together for an hour to play and sing the hymns. Open to non-student observer experience for a $10 fee.

Student Requirements for Congregational Song: Experienced organist with the ability to play pedals.

2: Improvisation
Systematic lessons for organists to learn some very simple improvisational ideas, as well as a systematic approach to learn how to harmonize a melody, create counterpoint, and the use of forms to embody the improvisation

Student Requirements for Improvisation: Experienced organist with the ability to play pedals.

3: Basic Organ Lessons

One-on-one private lessons to learn the skills of playing this magnificent instrument.

Student Requirements for Basic Organ: Keyboard skills at minimum intermediate or higher level.

4: Composing/Arranging for the Church

The basics of composition – write song antiphons, melodies, harmonizations, choral settings, or create parts for the parish instrumentalist ranging from writing for one who knows 3 notes to an advanced player! What can you write to encourage, implement and engage the congregation’s instrumentalists and apply that to liturgy

Student Requirements for Composing/Arranging for the Church:  A basic understanding of music theory is helpful but not required.

Tuition and Enrollment

Lessons are offered in your choice of 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Longer lesson lengths are encouraged. All organ lessons are taught onsite in the Sanctuary of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior, MN.

Students are required to enroll in all lessons offered at the time of enrollment.  

Spring Term 2026 offers 3 lessons per month February – May, 2026, 12 lessons total.  

Summer Term 2026 offers flexible enrollment. Total number of lessons is student choice on a schedule arranged with Dr. Cherwien.

Fall Term 2026 – 3 lessons per month September – December, 2026, 12 lessons total