Greg Scheer to present lecture and visit music classes on campus

Greg Scheer

Photo courtesy of Lee University Public Relations Office

For those interested in worship music and the role it plays in the modern church, a unique opportunity is coming to Lee University.

Greg Scheer, a composer and music associate from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, will give a lecture called “A Balanced Diet of Congregational Songs” at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 in the Lee Chapel.

Scheer will continue the Spring 2017 Church Music series with a lecture that is expected to cover a variety of congregational songs and suggest ways for worship leaders to present music that sustains and encourages a healthy faith.

Demetri Forakis, a junior music and worship student, believes that critical thinking about worship songs is foundational to the makeup of one’s faith.

“I heard someone say one time, ‘Show me your church's songs, and I'll tell you their theology,’” Forakis said. “We want to sing songs that are theologically rich and that connect our hearts to God. Songs that we can sing with our hearts, not superficial games.”

Scheer will also lecture in several classes that day in the Curtsinger School of Music Building. Those sessions will be open to guests as space permits. He will speak to students in “Orchestration and Arranging” at 11 a.m. in Room 223 and to students in “Philosophy of Music and Worship” at 3 p.m. in Room 200, according to a media release.

Dr. Randy Sheeks, assistant professor of music and organizer of the event, has long admired Scheer and considers him a scholar in his field.

“Scheer is very ecumenical. He doesn’t represent one denomination or one train of thought," Sheeks said. "He’s actually been in a lot of different types of churches, and I think he brings a good body-of-Christ view for what should be happening in music and worship."

In addition to having written two books, “The Art of Worship” and “Essential Worship," Scheer has composed hundreds of musical pieces, songs and arrangements that have been published in numerous hymnals.

Scheer has also won commissions from multiple institutions such as the Iowa Choral Directors Association, Iowa Composers Forum, Chagall String Quartet, Linn-Mar High School String Orchestra and Northwestern College.

Music and worship student Caroline Hamby has high expectations for the event and believes her fellow classmates will enjoy the lecture.

“One of his books, 'The Art of Worship,' is actually used in our curriculum, so it will be cool to be able to hear from him in person,” Hamby said. “I know he has a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of music ministry, so I'm excited to be on the receiving end of that.”

Dr. Sheeks expressed his hope that all students and community members that enjoy worship through singing might attend the event.

“This is not just for music majors. This is for everybody,” Sheeks said.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the event and classes, contact Sheeks at rsheeks@leeuniversity.edu or call (423) 614-8384.