Composing my Thoughts: Vitae

Short bio for WELS Worship Conference 2014:

Dale Witte presently serves at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, WI as Choir Director and Fine Arts Department chairman, teaching Music Theory and Music Technology. Dale holds degrees from Dr. Martin Luther College (BS Elementary Ed, 1989) and Concordia University Chicago (Master of Church Music, 1997). Dale is an active church music composer who is available for commission. He has liturgical, choral, and piano compositions published by Northwestern Publishing House and Concordia Publishing House. He is a member of Faith, Fond du Lac, WI.

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Curriculum Vitae - 2016

Educational Background

UW-Stout, Menomonee, WI – Teaching Reading in the Content Area (summer 2015)

Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN – MN Post Baccalaureate Licensure (2011-present)

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA – Teaching Guitar Workshop, Level 1 (2010)

Concordia University, Chicago, IL – Master of Church Music (1987-1997)

Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN – B.S. Elementary Education (1985-1989)

Employment Experience

Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Fond du Lac, WI (1993-present)

Director of Choirs, Fine Arts Department Chairman, Instructor of Music Theory, Music Technology, World History, Martin Luther College Student Teaching Supervisor

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, Tomah, WI (1990-1993)

6th Grade Teacher, Sr. and Jr. Choir Director, Head Organist, 5th-8th School Music

Published Choral Works:

“A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth/Lord When Your Glory I Shall See” (CPH, 98-4159)

“Be Still My Soul” (NPH OL-286059) - SAB, piano and optional violin.

“Come, O Come, Let Us Sing To The Lord” (Ps. 95) (NPH OL-289035E) - Unison voices and piano

“Jesus, God’s Gift to You” (NPH OL-180384) - Unison voices and piano

“Love in Christ is Strong and Living” (NPH OL-286004) - SAB, flute, organ, congregation and opt. 3 octave handbells

“Open My Heart” (NPH OL-289021E) - 2 part and piano with optional violin and bass

“So Many Things” (NPH OL-286094E) - SATB with tenor or soprano solo and piano, including John 3:16. Written for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, broadcast Nov. 19, 2006, for the family of Matt Koepke.

“This Little Light of Mine” (NPH OL-286090) - SATB a cappella

Published Liturgical Works:

Christian Worship: New Service Settings (NPH OL-033024)

Compline II: Prayer at the Close of Day–Responsory, Prayers, Lord’s Prayer, Gospel Canticle

Psalms 4, 23, 27, 31, 34, 91a, 91b, 121, 130, 134

Christian Worship: Occasional Services (NPH OL-033027)

Good Friday Tenebrae Responses, Psalm 2

Christian Worship Supplement (NPH OL-033033)

General Verse, Agnus Dei, Ps. 3, 96

Published Instrumental Works:

Hymn Improvisations for Piano (NPH, summer 2014) A piano book of 12 hymn tune settings for introduction, interlude, or attendant music

Awards and Honors:

Milwaukee School of Engineering - Excellence in Teaching Award (2008)

Professional Organizations:

American Choral Director’s Association - member (1993-present)

National Association for Music Education - member (1993-present)

Wisconsin Choral Directors Association - member (1993-present)

Wisconsin Music Educator’s Association - member (1993-present)

International Federation of Choral Music - member (1997-2008)

Conference Presentations:

“Creating Christian Choristers/How to Recruit and Train Boys in Choir” - Northern Wisconsin District Teacher’s Conference, Appleton, WI, Feb. 15, 2013

“Voice Placement” - WELS Summer Choral Dialogues, Trego, WI, July 2013

“Technology in the Choral Rehearsal - Using SmartMusic for Choral Practice and Assessment” - WELS Summer Choral Dialogues, Trego, WI (July 2012)

“Vocal Warmups” - WELS Summer Choral Dialogues, Trego, WI (July 2009)

“Commissioning a Church Music Composer” - WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN (July 2008)

“Using Google Earth in Religion Class” - Northern Wisconsin District Teacher’s Conference, Sturgeon Bay, WI (Feb. 2008)

Guest Clinician/Conductor for WELS National and Regional Choral Festivals:

Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Jackson, WI (Nov. 2015)

Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix, AZ (March 2010)

Northland Lutheran High School, Wausau, WI (Regional, Nov. 2007)

Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, WI (Nov. 1994, Nov. 2003)

Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, WI (Nov. 1997)

Choral Conducting and other Musical Experience:

Leading the planning, preparation, publicity and performance of five high school choral concerts a year as part of the WLA Music Curriculum (Fall, Christmas, Let’s Celebrate Day, Hymnfest, Spring)

Leading worship with the WLA Traveling Choir in each of the 41 congregation of the WLA Association every two to three years (15-20 congregations a school year)

WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts (conducting 1996, 2017)

Preparing the WLA Traveling Choir for five performances of major choral works at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY (2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015)

Performance for the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association 2002 State Convention at UW-Oshkosh (January 2002)

Preparation and accompaniment of high school singers (solos, duets, trios, and quartets) each school year for Wisconsin District and State Solo Ensemble Festivals

Recent Commissions and Unpublished Works:

50th Anniversary of WELS National Choral Festival (2017) - for SATB Chorus

Psalm 46 - SATB Choir and Congregation with brass quartet and organ (for the 2017 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI)

“Jerusalem the Golden” - SATB, congregation, orchestra (for the 2014 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI) — To be published by NPH in 2017

“Lord, You Establish Peace for Us” - SATB, Children’s Choir, Congregation, Piano, Flute, Horn in F (for the 150th Anniversary of Peace Lutheran Church, Hartford, WI, June 22, 2014)

“Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds” - SATB, congregation, orchestra (for the 2011 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN)

“The Tree of Life” - SATB, congregation, orchestra (for the 2002 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, Carthage College, Kenosha, WI - soon to be published by CPH)

“Lord, You I Love with All My Heart” - Concertato for SATB choir, 2 trumpets, organ, and congregation. Commissioned by Kate Tiefel celebrating many years of faithful ministry to Abiding Word Ev. Lutheran Church - Houston, Texas and the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod by Rev. Stephen P. Valleskey and Mrs. Sally S. Valleskey. June 2015.

Winnebago Lutheran Academy and Association Theme Songs (2006-present)

“We Believe” - Acts 1:8, SATB, Cong. Piano (2015-2016)

“We Preach Christ Crucified” - I Cor. 1:23, SATB, Cong. Piano (2014-2015)

“Be Still and Know” - Ps. 46:10, SATB, Cong., Piano (2013-2014)

“You Have the Words” - John 6:68, SATB, Cong., Piano (2012-2013)

“Now Fear the Lord” - Josh. 24:14-15, SATB, Cong., Piano (2011-2012)

“Commit to the Lord” - Prov. 16:3, SATB, Cong., Piano (2010-2011)

“The Water of Life” - Rev. 22:17, SATB, Cong., Piano (2009-2010)

(2008-2009)

(2007-2008)

“I Am Not Ashamed” - Rom. 1:16, Unison, Piano (2006-2007)

Other Unpublished Works Composed or Arranged for WLA Choirs/Concerts

Concertato on “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” (Christ lag in Todesbanden) for SATB, Cong. Brass Quartet, Timpani, Sus. Cymbal and Organ (Hymnfest, Apr. 2007)

“Angels from the Realms of Glory” (Regent Square) Introduction for Brass Quartet, Timpani and Cymbals; Interlude to St. 5 (“Sinners, wrung with true repentance”) for Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Piano, Organ, Violin, and Cello (Christmas 2008)

“Comfort, Comfort All My People” (Setting by Paul Bunjes, CPH 98-1388) arranged for Concert Band (Christmas 2007)

“Behold, A Branch is Growing” (Canon by Melchior Vulpius, Harmonization by Michael Praetorius) Descant and Arrangement for SATB and Concert Band (Christmas 2007)

“I Bind Unto Myself Today” (St. Patrick’s Breastplate, K. Lee Scott for TTBB, CPH 98-2962) arranged for SATB and Brass (Hymnfest 2008)

“Be Thou My Vision” (Slane) SATB and organ (Hymnfest 2008)

“O Christ the Same” (Londonderry Air) SATB a cappella (Hymnfest 2008)

“This is My Will” (Emly/Suantrai) SAB Choir, Cong., Piano, Alto sax, Trumpet, Guitar, Bass, Drums

“Alive by Death” (Flight of the Earls) SATB/SAB, Cong., Trumpet, Piano, 3 Oct. Handbells

“Service of Word and Sacrament” (1997) including Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus Dei, Sanctus, Benedictus, Create in Me (2013), General Verse, Preface and Proper Preface

“El Officio Major” (2008) - including El Kyrie, El Gloria, El Agnus Dei

“Away in a Manger” (Southwind/Flow Gently Sweet Afton) SATB, Harp or Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Tin Whistle or Flute, and Cello (Christmas 2011)

“Wexford Carol” arrangement/transcription of a performance by Roisin Dempsey and Haga Motet Choir for SATB choir, soprano solo, and uilleann pipes

“The Hush of Midnight” Concertato for SATB Choir, Bb Trumpet and Organ or Concert Band. with congregation for the 2014 WLA Christmas Concert.

For the WELS Hymnal Project: