This past year has been spent trying to keep balance in all that is happening around us. Much time has been involved in adjusting to our new address: LIVE OAK HOUSE—6700 Piedras Blanco Drive-Austin, TX 78747. Another area that has occupied our attention is expanding the listings on ourweb page: www.liveoakhouse.com. Most of our catalog is now installed there, and a shopping cart has been developed to make on-line ordering easier. Well over half of our orders now arrive via the internet—some from surprising places, like Hong Kong. Most of the rest come by phone.

As less of our family is here in Austin, watering and otherwise tending the tree has become more and more of a one-person operation. Phototropic movement is the movement of plants toward the light. At times the light seems to be coming from different directions, greatly slowing the release of new titles. However, roots for more are in place. At least in the near future, the majority of future issues will be in our newest series, ‘Hymns for Orchestral Ensembles.’ The great flexibility of this series seems to be appreciated by church musicians in parishes of all sizes.

Both Dale and Carolynn were at our exhibit for the national conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in San Diego during late June and early July. There Dale also presented a workshop on “Large Instrumental Ensembles in Worship”, based on his experience as director of the Symphonic Winds of St. Martin's Lutheran Church here in Austin. One of the conference worship services included his concertato on “A Mighty Fortress” for congregation, SATB choir, brass quintet, timpani, chimes, handbells, and organ. This composition is not a regular catalog item, but is available on request.

In October, Dale and Carolynn will be at the (39th) annual Lectures in Church Music of Concordia University in River Forest, IL. The conference will feature music by Richard Hillert, who has graced our catalog with two titles.

The choral director at a Lutheran high school in St. Louis, Missouri said, “We had a tragedy when several students were killed in an auto accident. The school's memorial service closed with (Dale Elms-haeuser's arrangement of) Children of the Heavenly Father, played by the entire high school band, along with the choir and congregation. That gymnasium actually moved!”

From a phone conversation with the music director of a Lutheran church in Wausau, Wisconsin: “We really liked your music. It worked well for us. The (high school) kids did great with it.”

The orchestra director at an Austin, Texas area public high school said, “We've really enjoyed playing (Dale Elmshaeuser's) Six Traditional Carols, Sets I and II.”

The music director at a Lutheran church in Madison, Wisconsin told us, “We really appreciate the service you are providing to the church with all the music you publish.”

According to the music director of a Methodist church in the Austin, Texas area, “We've used your arrangements from time to time, and they really work.”

A composer who is the minister of music at a Lutheran church in Albert Lea, Minnesota said, “We used several of your arrangements this year. The writing was good, and it was accessible. I really appreciate the variety and quality of your publications.”

Telephone comments from a music director at a Lutheran church in Watertown, Wisconsin included, “We've enjoyed your music. We're rehearsing your (Dale Elmshaeuser's) arrangement of Christ the Lord Is Risen Today for choir, trumpet and organ; and it's working well for us. Keep doing what you're doing.”

Continues. . .