Justin Oei (3283)

Title: “Grant us Wisdom, Grant Us Courage:” Theology and Politics in the Organ Music of Paul Manz

Project Description: 

Through an investigation of the organ music of the American composer Paul Manz (1919-2009). this study will seek to link his sacred music with the composer’s theological convictions, as well as with external circumstances that inform his compositional practices. How do the organ works of Paul Manz (1919-2009) reflect the theological and political circumstances of mid- to late-20th-century American Lutheranism, and what impact did he have on sacred music in contemporary American churches? Previous work has only devoted limited attention to Manz’s compositional techniques; my study will build on this by positioning the chorales contextually within the history of American Lutheranism and Manz’s position within the denominational culture wars.

Hometown: Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Department: Music

Advisor: Thomas Payne

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