Life Update

Careful observers may have noticed a few changes to the biographical information on my social media profiles in the last week. Indeed, the past few months have seen a number of significant changes. Because I can no longer keep track of who I have told about all these changes, the following is a consolidated summary.

The story of the changes really begins with this most recent winter, which in Chicago was historic for its own reasons. Amidst all the snow and cold, I started giving serious consideration to the reality that I was juggling three jobs. I felt successful in each and appreciated the fact that all allowed me to apply my professional training in slightly different ways. However, I knew that given my own limitations, I simply could not continue to be successful in each for much longer. Each demanded, rightly, that I expend considerable mental and emotional energy. My reservoir is not bottomless. So after much prayer and consultation with my parents and other mentors, I made a very difficult decision.

I have resigned from the faculty of Faith Christian Academy, where I had served as Band Director since the fall of 2012. I will deeply miss the close relationships I had with those students. Of the four schools where I have taught to date, the closest relationship I have had with a group of students was there at Faith. I am very proud of all that they accomplished during my time with them, from the main home concerts to solo and ensemble festivals to recitals and everything in between. I hope to cross paths with all of them again.

Ending my service at Faith does necessarily mean I will be equivalently less busy. A few more responsibilities have been added to my work at the Wheaton College Artist Series. My position (Assistant Manager) as first created a year ago originally focused on audience development. I am now, in addition, directly responsible for concert production. It is very thrilling to see a concert event develop from the artist contract all the way to sending my notes in on the Monday after each event. Beyond that, I really enjoy the opportunity to lead and invest in the student staff and volunteers. Ministry to college students is not something I ever imagined I would do, but that essentially is what it is. Pre-production and promotion for the 2014-15 season is well underway, and we are looking forward to many exciting events. It is challenging yet rewarding work, and I am glad to be part of it alongside some great Kingdom servants at Wheaton College.

I have also assumed a few more responsibilities at church. We were saddened at Calvary by the departure of Caleb Widmer as Pastor of Worship and Music at the end of April. The elders have called an Interim Pastor of Worship, who will begin leading services in mid-June. During the vacancy, and an on open-ended basis in to the interim year, I have been promoted to Ministry Associate of Worship and Arts. In addition to continuing to provide direct leadership to the Chamber Orchestra, I now provide leadership to the entire worship and music ministry and administrative support to the worship service planning process. It too is challenging yet rewarding work. I am sad to no longer be working with Caleb, but I have received numerous affirmations that God has prepared me specifically to fill this role, and that is a humbling reality.

One of the effects of those changes is an increased flexibility to my work schedule, because my two remaining jobs are primarily flexible hours. I do have a handful of meetings and rehearsals that are consistent from week to week, but on the whole I will have a much greater degree of flexibility than ever before. I hope this will allow me to take more freelance opportunities – performing, writing, traveling, studying, and who knows what else. I am confident as ever of God’s guiding my life. The next stretch of my life will be unlike any previous stretch, that much is certain. I hope to see you along the way!