Journal entry by Joanne Negstad — Sep 16, 2018
Music was a very important part of Joanne's life. How old she was when she began studying piano I don't know, but she was giving my cousin piano lessons while she was still in high school. At Concordia College she studied organ with Ms. Berge. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this.) She could sight read music well at the keyboard and when she led singing from piano or organ she gave firm leadership, though she kept this keyboard ability a secret from the churches I served 😉. Choral music was also part of her repertoire. When she was in Norway with her father, founding the American Lutheran Church, Oslo, she directed the choir. During graduate school at the University of Minnesota she was hired as choir director of First Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park. At Zion Lutheran, Mohall, ND., she directed the youth choir. Singing in the the choirs at St. James Lutheran, and Grace University Lutheran gave her joy. Attending orchestra, choir and other concerts and recitals were important to her.
During her days in hospice she requested that Grace University Lutheran Church be one of the recipients of money given as a memorial in her memory. After her death when we learned that Grace was in need of a new piano it seemed an obvious choice for the use of that memorial money. Had she known of the need I'm convinced it is what she would have chosen.
The piano, a Brodmann, has been chosen and will be delivered on Wednesday. It will be dedicated at a special musical offering on All Saint's Sunday, November 4. At that service Joanne's name will be read with the names of all the saints who have died this year. This convergence, of the piano's arrival, and it's dedication on the day Joanne will be remembered is deeply satisfying. She would be so pleased and happy that her memorial money could be a part of the purchase.
Each time I see and/or hear that piano I will be reminded of Joanne and her gift of music...music that gladdened her life, and music that she made that gladdened others.
Yes, blessings abound!
Blessings,
Al
During her days in hospice she requested that Grace University Lutheran Church be one of the recipients of money given as a memorial in her memory. After her death when we learned that Grace was in need of a new piano it seemed an obvious choice for the use of that memorial money. Had she known of the need I'm convinced it is what she would have chosen.
The piano, a Brodmann, has been chosen and will be delivered on Wednesday. It will be dedicated at a special musical offering on All Saint's Sunday, November 4. At that service Joanne's name will be read with the names of all the saints who have died this year. This convergence, of the piano's arrival, and it's dedication on the day Joanne will be remembered is deeply satisfying. She would be so pleased and happy that her memorial money could be a part of the purchase.
Each time I see and/or hear that piano I will be reminded of Joanne and her gift of music...music that gladdened her life, and music that she made that gladdened others.
Yes, blessings abound!
Blessings,
Al
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