Benjamin Foster, a senior at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., has been taking organ lessons since he was ten years old. As a parish music/staff ministry major, he is excited to see where the Lord will lead him when he is eligible for his assignment into ministry in May. A member at Emanuel First, Lansing, Mich., Ben is one of 39 students taking organ lessons at MLC this year. See what he has to say about organs, education, and the power of music.

A fostered love for music . . .

I grew up in a musical house. My dad and I listened to the National Lutheran Choir on CD in our car rides, and I fell in love with Lutheran hymnody and how it was played with the organ accompanying a congregation. Our church had a 3 manual, 40 rank organ that was played by very gifted musicians. It was so cool that one could knock the congregation’s socks off and lull them to sleep! . . . Knowing that somebody could lead all that was the coolest thing for me, and I wanted to do that too!

MLC’s music program has been paramount in my development as a musician and my love for music. Not only did I get one-on-one encouragement from my private lesson teacher (Prof. Craig Hirschmann), I got encouragement from other music faculty members as I used my gifts. Coursework also allowed me to see how things, such as the organ, have served the church throughout the ages and have served as an instrument of praise for centuries.

I have also been given so many opportunities to serve at MLC. Through networking with area churches, I was able to play regularly at four area WELS churches where I got to serve God’s people with his gifts of music he has given to me. I also get to play for many chapel services throughout the year. It is quite an invigorating feeling to lead 700+ powerful voices in the Chapel of the Christ whenever I play for an MLC chapel service!

Favorite moments . . .

Too many to count! Placing second in a national organ competition was certainly up there. It was invigorating to showcase my God-given talents among others who did not have the same faith background or mentality toward organ playing. Additionally, playing for opening worship of the 2024 WELS national worship conference and the 2025 synod convention opening and closing services were highlights. Also, every Easter Sunday is an honorable mention.

Future hopes . . .

I know we never get to decide where we are called; the Lord guides us. But I would love to hold a Minister of Music call someday. It would be a great privilege to be able to regularly lead God’s people in worship on organ as well as direct the church choir. Such a ministry would also likely involve worship planning, which I perhaps love too much!

The power of music . . .

In my short life, I have seen the power of music at work in so many. I have watched music move people to shout their highest praise (every Easter Sunday morning!) and seen it move people to tears of sadness (at any funeral or even Good Friday). . . . To see how people are affected by music is to see how God is working actively in their hearts, to see how God moves souls with his Word tied to a melody. Song imprints God’s Word in our minds.

Encouraging future musicians . . .

At my home church, the organ was kind of viewed as the “holy of holies,” something to be admired, but not touched. I have found this mentality at a few other churches. But perhaps, to encourage young organists, it would help for churches to be more open to showing young ones (and old ones!) the awesome power of the organ. Doing so engages young minds to something that they are perhaps very curious about—this huge instrument that leads our worship every Sunday. What is it? How does it make sound? This can also show youth how they can serve God in a very real, winsome, and useful way.