Russell Schulz-Widmar

Russell Schulz-Widmar (born Russell E. Schulz, July 29, 1944) is a composer of sacred music, choral music, hymns, organ music and piano music, an author, as well as a professor of Liturgical Music at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Biography

Born and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Schulz received his B. Mus. from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, his M. Mus. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and his D.M.A from The University of Texas at Austin. He also studied at the Royal School of Church Music in London/Croydon. In 1970, he and wife Suzanne Widmar took over as co-Directors of Music at University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. [Berry, Margaret C., and Randle, Audrey Bateman. University United Methodist Church 1887-1987: A Brief History. Nortex Press, Austin, Texas, 1987.] In 1993, Dr. Schulz left University United Methodist Church to take a position as the Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas. He remained in the position until July, 2008.

In 1974 he became organist/choirmaster at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest and later became Professor of Church Music. He was also for a number of years adjunct instructor of church music at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He was a member of the Standing Commission on Church Music of the Episcopal Church. From 1980-87 he was Dean of the Evergreen Music Conference in Evergreen, CO. From 1987-89 he was President of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

Selected Publications

As Editor or Chair

Songs of Thanks and Praise [Schulz-Widmar, Russell (editor). Songs of Thanks and Praise: A Hymnal Supplement, Hinshaw Music, Inc., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1980.] - A nondenominational hymnal supplement
The Hymnal 1982 [Schulz-Widmar, Russell (chair). The Hymnal 1982, The Church Hymnal Corporation, New York, New York, 1982.] - The current hymnal in use by the Episcopal Church of the United States of America
A New Hymnal for Colleges and Schools [Schulz-Widmar, Russell (co-editor). A New Hymnal for Colleges and Schools, Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut, 1992.] - A nondenominational hymnal designed for use in school and university chapels
Shepherd Songs [Schulz-Widmar, Russell (editor). Shepherd Songs, Selah Publishing Co., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2002.] - A collection of thirteen newly-written hymns, based around the idea of "Christ the Good Shepherd"

As Composer or Arranger

Choral Works

"Adam Lay Ybounden"
"An Advent Processional"
"Autumn Carol"
"Bethlehem" (2008)
"A Carol for Christmas"
"Give Rest, O Christ"
"Good Friday Anthems"
"How Can I Keep from Singing"
"How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord"
"I Saw Three Ships"
"In Remembrance" (1990)
"Infant Holy"
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem" (1995)
"Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head"
"Joseph's Lullaby"
"Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor"
"Mary Said Yes"
"Midnight Clear" (1993)
"O God of Gentle Strength"
"O Gracious Light"
"Remember Christmas"
"Rest In Peace: A Song of Farewell" (1983)
"Resurrection Dance"
"The Royal Banners of Our King"
"Song of Mary: Magnificat"
"Song of Simeon: Nunc Dimittis"
"Song of the Advents" (1999)
"Songs of Sovereign Grace"
"The Sons of Asaph"
"Spring Carol"
"Stille Nacht"
"Summer Carol"
"Sweet Music"
"This Is the Feast of Victory for Our God"
"Two Neo-Gothic Carols"
"Unto Us Is Born a Child"
"Visitation Carol"
"We Come, O Christ"
"When In Our Music God Is Glorified"

Solo Vocal Works

"Now the Green Blade Riseth" (1988)
"What Child Is This?"

Organ Works

Dialog
Duet and Trio on 'Hyfrydol'
Elegy on Old Hundredth
Fantasia on the Danish Amen Mass
Holy, Holy (from the Danish Amen Mass)
Intonation on 'All Glory, Laud and Honor'
Introduction and Varied Harmonizations of 'Easter Hymn'
Land of Rest
Lord Have Mercy (from Danish Amen Mass)
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Now Thank We All Our God
Partita on 'Ah, Holy Jesus'
Prelude on an Ancient Melody
Prelude on 'Lasst uns erfreuen'
Prelude on 'Middlebury'
Procession
Processional for the Ascension Vigil
Simple Gifts
Sussex Carol
Variations on 'O Come All Ye Faithful'
Variants on 'St. Columbia'
Variants on 'Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence'
Veni Creator
We Gather Together
When Jesus Wept
Wie Schön Leuchtet
Wondrous Love

Hymns

"You, Lord, We Praise in Songs of Celebration"
"Your Love, O God, Has Called Us Here"

Unpublished Works

"Boundless Love"
"The Journey" (SATB version)
Requiem (version for SATB chorus, soloists and full orchestra, 1999)
"Songs from Buckeye Trail"

References

External links

* [http://www.etss.edu/bio_photos1.shtml Bio and Photo at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest] web site