Carl Schalk

b. 1929 - d. 2021

Carl Schalk was a teacher, musicologist, composer, and author. He was Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. Dr. Schalk was called to Concordia University in 1965 where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in church music until his retirement in 1994. While at Concordia, Schalk was instrumental in beginning the Master of Church Music program, which produced some one hundred and forty graduates serving throughout the church.

Dr. Schalk has served as lecturer and clinician at numerous church music workshops and pastoral conferences. He was the editor of Church Music (1966-80) and served as a member of the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship, Hymn Music Committee, which prepared the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978). He is a Fellow of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Dr. Schalk held degrees from Concordia University, River Forest; Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York; and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. His numerous choral compositions are published by a wide array of publishers, and he has written over eighty hymn tunes and carols. His collaborations with Jaroslav J. Vajda and Herbert Brokering in particular, have received wide acclaim.

Dr. Schalk will be remembered for his enormous influence on the lives of many church musicians, as well as for his wit and humor. His compositions and writings will continue resonate for many years to come.