This episode of Ministry Monday is sponsored by the NPM National Convention. The 2023 National Convention, “Walking with the Saints,” will take place in Reno, Nevada, from July 10-14 and virtually from July 18-20. Both the in person and virtual convention opportunities include prayer, learning, networking, and of course, music from which to grow and expand in pastoral ministry. Advance registration closes on June 1! For more information and how to register today, visit npm.org.
Today’s episode explores the world of pipe organ repertoire. I so often hear discussions of high-level performance pieces fit for excellent organ concerts, but so often we may not take the time to discuss an organ repertoire that’s manageable and attainable for all levels of skill, and on a pastoral musician’s available time frame for learning. Organists who may have started as pianists and are learning how to play organ, or maybe organists who are, quite frankly, overcommitted to other tasks, can find beautiful, accessible organ music that supports the Mass each week.
That is the starting point from which I begin my conversation today. Today I speak with Joel Kumro, the Choirmaster and Organist at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Richmond, VA. Joel is also director of his parish’s concert series and is the instructor of Liturgical Music at Saint Benedict Catholic School. Joel, originally a trained classical singer, shares how he developed a regularly-rotating repertoire of organ music as he learned “the king of instruments” and how he’s come to use it well today.
Watch the Episode (YouTube):
SHOW NOTES
Bio: Joel Kumro
Joel S. Kumro received an undergraduate music degree from SUNY Buffalo State and studied organ privately with Margaret Harper at the Eastman School of Music. He received a Master of Arts in Liturgical Music from Saint John’s University in Collegeville MN, where he studied organ with Kim Kasling, voice with Carolyn Finley, chant with Fr. Anthony Ruff, and conducting with Axel Theimer.
Joel is the Choirmaster and Organist at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Richmond, VA. In addition to planning music for all liturgical celebrations and directing choirs of both adults and children, he also coordinates the parish concert series and is the instructor of Liturgical Music at Saint Benedict Catholic School.
Performing frequently as an organist, tenor, and harpsichordist, Joel has appeared with organizations including the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM,) the Richmond and Twin Cities Chapters of the American Guild of Organists, American Institute of Organbuilders, Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians, the Wren Masters, RVA Baroque, Capitol Opera Richmond, Classical Revolution RVA, Richmond Concert Chorale, Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, Forgotten Clefs, Camerata di Sant’ Antonio, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. In 2012, he was a featured soloist for the dedication ceremony of the new Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse in Buffalo. In 2018, he presented the modern premiere of Michel Richard de Lalande’s grand motet Ad Te Domino Clamabo, S. 64, with RVA Baroque. He was a featured recitalist for the national conventions of NPM in 2018 and 2020. More recently, he performed on the Summer Organ Recital Series at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, and was the tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with Central Virginia Masterworks. He also served as music director and harpsichordist for Capitol Opera Richmond’s production of Monteverdi’s opera L'incoronazione di Poppea.
Joel is a member NPM and the Church Musicians’ Guild of Buffalo. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Richmond-based period instrument ensemble RVA Baroque, the Charlottesville-based ensemble Three Notch’d Road, and the NPM Director of Music Ministries Forum. He continues vocal studies with Dr. Patrick Carlin and organ studies with Bruce Stevens.
Joel has been published twice in the theological journal Obsculta including his article, “Millennials, the Church, and Liturgy.”
For more information about the 2023 National Convention, visit npm.org.
All content of this podcast is property of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.