Paul
Manz long served the
church as recitalist, composer, teacher and leader
in worship. He was Cantor Emeritus at the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Saint Luke, Chicago, Illinois; as
well as Cantor Emeritus of Mount Olive Lutheran Church
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the director of the
newly established Paul Manz Institute of Church Music,
and was Professor Emeritus of Church Music at Christ
Seminary Seminex at the Lutheran School of Theology
in Chicago.
A
Fulbright grant enabled him to study with Flor Peeters in
Belgium and Helmut Walcha in Germany. The Belgian government
invited him to be the official United States representative
in ceremonies honoring Flor Peeters on his 80 th birthday
and his 60 th year as titular organist of the Cathedral of
Saint Rombaut in Mechelen, Belgium. At that time, Flor Peeters
referred to his former student as "my spiritual son."
Paul
Manz concertized extensively in North America. He appeared
at the Lincoln Center in New York City, with the National
Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.,
with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall and
with the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Charles
Dutoit, Leonard Slatkin, and Henry Charles Smith. In addition,
he played recitals in churches and cathedrals here and abroad.
He was in great demand for his hymn festivals, which are
his legacy as a church musician. He conducted many organ
clinics, participated in liturgical seminars and appeared
as lecturer and recitalist at the regional and national conventions
of the American Guild of Organists.
The
esteem and respect with which Paul Manz is regarded can be
seen in the many honors he has received. He was twice named
one of the "Ten Most Influential Lutherans." He
served as National Councilor of the American Guild of Organists
and is listed as one of the "101 Most Notable Organists
of the 20th Century." He was the recipient of many honorary
doctorates and awards. Northwestern University, his alma
mater, presented him with the prestigious "Alumni Merit
Award"; The Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago presented
him with the distinguished "Confessor of Christ Award";
The Chicago Bible Society presented him with the "Gutenberg
Award"; and the Lutheran Institute of Washington, DC
honored him with the first "Wittenberg Arts Award".
At a convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians,
his colleagues honored him for his work in the church. A
large gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota held a "Paul
Manz Celebration: Honoring the Life of a Church Musician" where
substantial gifts were given to the Ruth and Paul Manz Scholarship
for Church Musicians.
Trinity
Seminary of Columbus, Ohio bestowed the "Joseph Sittler
Award for Theological Leadership" and among his many
honorary doctorates is the Doctor of Sacred Music degree
from Valparaiso University, Indiana, and most recently, the
Doctor of Music degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield,
Minnesota.
His
musical compositions are internationally known. His organ
works are extensively used in worship services, recitals
and in teaching. His choral music is widely used by church
and college choirs here and abroad. His motet, "E'en
So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" is regarded as a classic
and has been frequently recorded here and abroad. His life
and works is the subject of a doctoral dissertation which
details his career spanning more than fifty years and analyzes
his organ works.
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