Pacific Hills Lutheran Church Welcomes New Director of Music
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch
First Sunday August 26, 2018
Jeffrey Blersch is Professor of Music at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he teaches organ, music theory, and is the conductor of the Cantamus Women’s Choir. Blersch is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he received degrees in organ performance and music education, and of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance. His principal teachers have included Roberta Gary, Garth Peacock, and Marilyn Mason. Prior to his appointment at Concordia, Dr. Blersch served as Cantor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois, Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as an elementary music specialist in the Brunswick City Schools, Brunswick, Ohio.
Blersch has been an active church musician since being appointed organist of Peace Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, at age eight. Best known for his creative hymn interpretations, he regularly performs recitals and hymn festivals across the United States. Recent performances have included The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, Texas, as well as conventions of the American Guild of Organists, Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Blersch is also an active composer; over one hundred of his compositions and collections are published exclusively with Concordia Publishing House and four of his original hymn tunes are included in Lutheran Service Book. He has produced two compact disc recordings of his original works: Resounding Alleluias and On Christmas Night.
Blersch and his wife Carla, also an organist, have three children, Aaron, Ryan, and Jenna.
Plan now to join us on the 26th as we welcome Dr. Blersch to Pacific Hills Lutheran Church.