Feier zum 10. Geburtstag-Evangelisches Dekanat Nassauer Land

In 2016, the Protestant deanery Nassauer Land was established. The 10th birthday will be celebrated appropriately with a musical day and a anniversary service on Saturday, September 12 at 5 p.m. in Nassau.

“On our way together – that’s our motto!” invites Dean Kerstin Janott and the chair of the deanery synod, Astrid Ellermann, to the big anniversary service on Saturday, September 12 at 5 p.m. in the castle courtyard in Nassau. “As a harmonious counterpoint to the discourse on societal division, the unifying power of music will be at the center of our deanery's anniversary, and togetherness will be celebrated,” explains Janott. Music is not only regarded as the heartbeat of the Reformation. In all current reforms in church and society, it remains a tempo setter for a successful togetherness across all imaginable boundaries. Janott: “What could be more fitting to celebrate our anniversary with music!”

This will not only be audible in the service on that day when the anniversary is opened with a devotion at 10 a.m. under the motto “Nassau sings and sounds.” Choirs, bands, and instrumentalists will perform at several locations in the city. At the same time, various workshops for vocal and brass choirs, as well as interested individuals, will be offered under the guidance of renowned instructors. This will also awaken the joy of singing among the youth. “Sing loud and wild!” is a well-hour-long singing activity with children at 11 a.m. Parents are, of course, allowed to accompany their kids.

Church music director Stefan Küchler offers two workshops: he motivates for the diversity of church singing and offers new impulses for choir members or those who want to become one for more-part singing.
For plenty of movement and good cheer, which can carry the joyful message forward, Barbara Pfalzgraff from Mainz will conduct her gospel workshop.
Brass choirs will receive guidance from instructor Eike Klein, on how classical tunes and some forgotten music from old brass sheet music can be brought back into consciousness “in a new guise.”

Pop and rock arrangements will be studied by Heiko Kremers with brass players. The trumpeter from northern Germany is one of the leading German music teachers and coaches in this segment when it comes to church brass.

Additionally, there will be an open singing for everyone, samples from the upcoming new Protestant hymnal, as well as tips for jazzy accompaniments on the E-piano.

From Berlin, Michael Schütz travels to Nassau for the anniversary. The composer, church musician, and university lecturer is known nationwide in the “Who’s Who” when it comes to the connection between church and pop music. In his organ workshop “Clever for Hands and Feet”, he shows how rhythmic and harmonic elements from various pop styles can be transferred to the organ.

And not only that. After the anniversary service in the castle courtyard, Schütz will give an organ concert in the Johanniskirche at 6:30 p.m., in which guests will experience the Queen of Instruments from an unusual side when he lets pop, rock, and film music resound on it. More information and registration at evangelisch-nassauer-land.de.