Learning More About Brad Schultz - Director of Music Ministry

Assuming that you have been attending worship services these past months, you have already been heartily introduced to Brad Schultz through his music. Mighty music that fills the church; tender music that touches the heart. And if you are participating in any of TLC's music groups you have also experienced his infectious laugh and unique sense of humor. Let's fill out the picture with some background.

Brad was born in Waseca, Minnesota. Waseca, a native American name meaning "rich land", is an hour and a half south of the twin cities. It's a sturdy town with a stable population, and Brad lived his entire life in the same house, same room. His mother, Mary, is a second-grade teacher; his father, Merril, is an accountant for a Chrysler dealership. His brother, Ethan, four and a half years younger, is heading next year to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Brad's alma mater, to major in music.

Brad's mother grew up in a musical family, yet she claims she was the least musical. She regretted that, and therefore pushed music in Brad and Ethan's direction. Her brother was a church music director, and he was Brad's first organ teacher. Brad began piano lessons in first grade. By ninth grade, he was accompanying the choir. He began organ lessons in eighth grade, and in his junior year in high school began seriously playing in church.

There was no orchestra program in his high school, so he sang bass in the choir and played, would you believe, tuba in the band. Brad says, "When you're a tuba player you're about as scarce as hens' teeth." And since he was enthusiastic about the instrument he attracted the attention of college music directors. Weston Noble, Director of Luther's Nordic Choir, phoned Brad and persuaded him to come to Luther. There, he majored in tuba performance, and minored in instrumental and vocal music education. Luther's concert band toured every year, and that is how Brad happened to travel to Japan and Beijing - and also to Boise and Spokane, as tuba player in the symphony orchestra, which was Brad's introduction to our territory.

You would not be surprised to know that Brad has had lots of opportunities to earn some money with his musical talents - he accompanied a men's choir in Decorah, for example, and found himself in some demand because of his sight-reading abilities.You might be surprised to learn, however, that he has solid work experience with Perkins Restaurants, including Perkins in Coeur d'Alene.

If you are out and about, you might find Brad hiking at Mineral Ridge or kayaking in Wolf Lodge Bay or Fernan Lake - or just going for a walk or a run. Or you can find him at all hours at Trinity Lutheran.