Directors

Jeffrey Blersch is Professor of Music and University Organist at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, where he teaches organ and music theory. Dr. 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 appearances have included hymn festivals at conventions of the American Guild of Organists and Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Dr. Blersch is also an active composer; over fifty 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 (2006). He has been repeatedly commissioned to compose hymn settings for LCMS youth gatherings and was also commissioned to compose a setting of U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser’s poem “So this is Nebraska” for a performance at a convention of the American Choral Director’s Association. His first compact disc recording, Resounding Alleluias, which features his own compositions and arrangements, was released in 2006 and new recordings on Concordia’s Casavant organ are in the preparation stages.

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, IL, Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI, and as an elementary music specialist in the Brunswick City Schools, Brunswick, Ohio. Dr. Blersch and his wife Carla, also an organist, have three children, Aaron, Ryan, and Jenna.

Samuel J. Eatherton - Festival Choir Director

Samuel J. Eatherton was born on July 15, 1974, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, son of Lawrence and Karen Eatherton. He began his undergraduate studies at Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, in the fall of 1992. There, he and his soon-to-be wife Lois participated in the band and choral programs and studied organ under Dr. Charles Ore. They graduated in May of 1996, both with degrees in Elementary Education (Music Concentration). After getting married the same summer, Sam and Lois moved to their first call at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in St. Joseph, Michigan, where they served for four years. Having received the Call to Zion, they moved to Dallas in the summer of 2000, where Sam was installed as Minister of Music.

In the fall of 2003, Sam completed his Master of Church Music Degree at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, receiving the Richard Hillert Award in Composition.

Sam and Lois's marriage has been blessed with five children: Hannah, Rebekah, Ruth, David, and Sarah.

Sam has had choral and organ compositions published by Concordia Publishing House and is currently studying organ literature and improvisation with Dr. Gerre Hancock at UT—Austin.

Sam teaches music to 3rd through 8th Graders at Zion, plans worship, and directs the youth and adult choirs.

Cynthia Nott - Artistic Director of the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas

Cynthia Nott has been Artistic Director of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas since its inception in 1997. Under her leadership, the Chorus has grown dramatically, earned the respect of the Dallas area music community, and impressed audiences by its artistic excellence. In addition to its own concert schedule, Ms. Nott has prepared the Chorus to perform with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, the Mesquite Civic Chorus, Orpheus Chamber Singers, and the Voices of Change. Prior to becoming full-time Artistic Director of the CCGD, Ms. Nott taught public middle school choral music for 23 years.

Nott has been actively involved in a wide range of professional choral activities. She has served as clinician and consultant for music teachers, conductors and singers throughout the United States . She has appeared as guest conductor for All-Region and All-State choirs.

Nott earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University. She holds affiliations with the American Choral Directors Association and the Texas Music Educators Association.