John
Behnke
Dr.
John Behnke is Professor of Music
at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin where he teaches
organ and directs The Alleluia Ringers, Concordia's touring handbell
choir. He is also organist at Historic Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church
in downtown Milwaukee where he plays on an 1878 Schuelke organ.
Dr.
Behnke is also a frequent organ recitalist, handbell clinician,
and festival director. Beginning in July, 2003, he became the
new Music Editor for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
He enjoys composing and arranging, having handbell, choral, and
organ compositions in print with seventeen different publishers
in the United States, Germany, and Taiwan. A complete works listing
can be found online at www.johnbehnke.com.
He
was honored in December of 1993 being named "MVP" Most Valuable
Player in the Milwaukee area by Milwaukee Sentinel music
critic, Nancy Raabe. He has also received an ASCAP Composers Award
every year since 1998.
A
1974 graduate of Concordia-River Forest, IL. he received his M.Mus.
in Church Music and Organ from Northwestern University, Evanston,
IL. in 1978. His D.Mus. was awarded to him in 1984 by Northwestern
University where he was elected into the Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa
Lambda, a National Honorary Music Society. From August
1978 to July 1979 Dr. Behnke studied at the Westphalian Church
Music Institute in Herford, W. Germany, where he passed the "A"
Exam in Organ with the grade of "1-Excellent".
Choral
music by John Behnke
Handbell
music by John Behnke
Organ
music by John Behnke