This month we celebrated February by having shorter, bite-sized episodes. What did you think? Did you like the shorter durations? Or would you like longer episodes, come March? We want your feedback. Email us anytime at ministrymonday@npm.org.
This week we hear the experiences of Bill and Lena Gokelman, both musicians and staff at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Lena and Bill both interact with college-age students on a daily basis: Lena currently serves as the Director of Music Ministries for University Mission and Ministry, and Bill is Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at the University. Quite frankly, they are submerged in “youth” in their lines of work, which to some listening to this podcast would consider a less-than-common occurrence. Some, I dare say, might long for an overabundance of youth in their music ministry!
Taken during the 2019 NPM National Convention. Photo credit: Libby Vasey
But like all things in ministry, their work does not come without struggle. Bill & Lena share some of the complications of working with so many young people in their program, and most importantly, they share some of the biggest lessons they’ve learned in their decades of working with youth in ministry. (Spoiler alert: the takeaways from this episode are actions you can take & use in your music program today.)
SHOW NOTES
Lena Gokelman- Bio
Lena Gokelman currently serves as the Director of Music Ministries for University Mission and Ministry. She is a graduate of Incarnate Word College (BM) and of Westminster Choir College (MM). As a life-long pastoral musician, Lena’s belief in music ministry is focused on the vital connection between what we say, play, and sing, and how we make tangible the Gospel in our lives – sharing God’s love, passing on our faith, and being instruments of peace and justice in the world. Among her passions is mentoring the next generation of pastoral musicians. On the national, regional, and local levels, she has been a clinician for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), the Southwest Liturgical Conference, the Johannes Hofinger Conference, the diocese of Metuchen, NJ, and archdiocese of San Antonio, TX. She has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as chair of the Professional Concerns Committee and Vice-President of the Director of Music Ministries Division/NPM. In addition to her role at UIW, she currently serves as placement coordinator for the Alamo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, as section leader for NPM’s Hispanic Music Section, as well as a board member for St. Anthony Catholic High School. Cooking, walking, gardening, and her three dogs bring joy, relaxation and entertainment to her life. But, her great loves and inspiration are her husband, Bill, and son, Chris.
Preparing to sing at the 2019 NPM National Convention (Raleigh, NC). Source: The Word Online
William Gokelman- Bio
William Gokelman is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, where he directs the Cardinal Chorale and Cardinal Singers, teaches vocal coaching, diction for singers, and collaborative piano. He has served as pianist with the San Antonio Symphony, New Jersey’s Pro Arte Chorale, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Texas Choral Directors’ Association, and the New Jersey Opera. William has been a frequent presenter for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, where he is a member of the Pianist’s Interest Section. At the 2019 NPM convention in Raleigh, the UIW Cardinal Singers presented the concert “Sacred Choral Music in Spanish/Musica Sacra Coral en Español.” William’s compositions, published by Good For The Soul Music, GIA Publications, and OCP Publications, include works for piano, voice, choir, musical theater, and liturgy. His Mass of Renewal, co-composed with David Kauffman, won first place in the 2010 NPM national competition for new Mass settings. William also serves as director of the San Antonio Police Department’s “Blue Line Choir.” He holds degrees from Westminster Choir College and Incarnate Word College.
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