Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park

Farewell to Cantor Aaron Musser

On Sunday, July 16, we bid farewell and Godspeed to our cantor, Aaron Musser. Over the last year, Aaron has blessed Augustana with his musical gifts, including introducing us to All Creation Sings, the new hymnal supplement for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We say goodbye to Aaron as he leaves to begin his pastoral internship in Geneva, IL. This will be Aaron’s final step toward ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. We look forward to seeing how God will bless the church through Aaron’s pastoral and musical leadership in the coming years.

Welcome to Cantor Michael Terry Caraher

Starting on October 1, we welcome Michael Terry Caraher as our new cantor at Augustana. This spring, Michael played the organ at Augustana a few times, most recently for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. He will be giving an organ recital at Augustana on Ascension Day, Thursday May 18 at 7:30 pm.

Michael graduated from St. Olaf College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music in Church Music with an organ emphasis, where he studied under Catherine Rodland. In addition to his music degree, he also has a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. Before attending St. Olaf, Michael graduated from the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied organ with Thomas Bara, and before that, he studied with Susan Jane Matthews.

Michael has given recitals across the United States and in Europe at churches such as the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland; and the Jakobikirche in Lubceck, Germany. In addition to his organ playing, Michael sang and performed as a soloist with the St. Olaf Choir and was a voice student of Anton Armstrong.

Interim Organist Thomas Weisflog

As he did last summer, Rockefeller Chapel organist Thomas Weisflog will provide musical worship leadership by playing the organ at Augustana. He will be at Augustana in July, August and September.