St. John's names new director of music ministry

St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield has appointed Daniel Fenn to the position of director of music ministry. In addition to coordinating the music ministry, he will serve as organist and conduct the adult choir. Fenn, who most recently was organist and choirmaster at St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, earned a bachelor's of music degree from Mississippi College and a master's in organ performance from the University of Houston. He also recently completed a Master of Sacred Music degree in choral conducting at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. In addition to theological and sacred music studies at the seminary, Fenn studied conducting and church music with St. Olaf faculty members Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, and John Ferguson.

Fenn was born into the Southern Baptist tradition, where he learned his love of hymn singing and began playing the organ. He says he came to appreciate a more liturgical tradition when, at age 16, he began substituting at the small Episcopal parish in a nearby city and, later, became organist for a United Methodist church. "Here, for the first time, I came to understand the concept of a liturgical year and to realize that liturgy is a gift to the church," says Fenn.

Fenn will carry on the high standards set by his predecessors at St. John's, including F. Melius Christiansen,  G. Winston Cassler and Ruth Ferguson.