About - Brian Henkelmann

Mr. Brian Henkelmann

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Brian Henkelmann was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands where his father Rev. Marvin Henkelmann and mother Wilma Henkelmann were serving Memorial Moravian Church in Charlotte Amalie. From St. Thomas, Brian moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then Covina, California, as his parents were called to serve different churches. In Covina, Leo Kellis, after teaching him in a group setting, was generous in taking him on as a private composition student.

His studies at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, led to his earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude), with a major in music. While there, he studied harpsichord with Kim Heindel, piano with Richard Van Auken, and composition with Larry Lipkis. His primary organ instructor was Gary Schulz. The college choir and the choir of Central Moravian Church, both under the direction of Richard Schantz, provided an outlet for ensemble singing and also for the chance to hear an occasional original composition come to life. Listening to the organ playing of Monica Schantz, organist at Central Moravian Church, proved a life-long influence in hymn interpretation and worship style.

Upon completion of his BA, Brian began serving United Moravian Church in Harlem, NYC, NY as Organist and Choir Director. It was a wonderful tie back to his St. Thomas roots and a great learning experience under the guidance of the late Rev. George Lloyd. In 1979, his music ministry moved to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA where he again served as Organist and Choir Director. In 1983 he completed his Master of Theological Studies degree at Moravian Theological Seminary where he often served as organist for services and special celebrations. In 1989 he moved to River Forest, Illinois to complete his Master of Sacred Music degree at what is now Concordia University Chicago where he studied composition with Richard Hillert and was privileged to attend many classes with Carl Schalk. While at Concordia, he served as Organist/Choir Director at Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church.

Upon completion of his degree, Brian accepted the position of Director of Music at St. Rose of Lima in York, PA where he was in charge of the cantors, and served as choir director and organist. In 1995, Mr. Henkelmann moved back to Bethlehem, PA and became Director of Music at Christ, UCC where his duties again included directing choirs and being organist. His tenure there was followed by four years at Rosemont Lutheran Church, beginning in 2000. During this time, he was also teaching piano at the Moravian College Music Institute, teaching as artist and guest lecturer at Moravian College (beginning 2002), and serving as a collaborative pianist at the Theatre and Dance Department of Muhlenberg College (1998-2004) .

In 2004, Brian Henkelmann married Dr. Marika Kyriakos and moved to Stephenville, Texas where she was a Associate Professor of Voice at Tarleton State University. Brian again served as choir director/organist, this time at First United Methodist Church in Stephenville, and then as Organist and Handbell Director at First United Methodist Church, Granbury, Texas. In 2006, Brian and Marika were joined by their Guatemalan-born daughter, Nina.

Dr. Marika Kyriakos

In 2008, the family moved to Jonesboro, AR where Marika had accepted a position as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at Arkansas State University. Brian Henkelmann accepted the position of Organist/Collaborative Pianist at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro and soon joined the faculty at ASU, teaching Keyboard Skills courses, applied piano and organ, and playing for various choirs. Their daughter is enjoying first grade and is taking piano lessons as well as singing in the church choir.

Brian Henkelmann continues to use his compositional skills, writing music for choirs, piano, organ, organ with instruments, and choir with various instrumental combinations. He welcomes commissions to write anthems, organ works, or instrumental music with a special emphasis on worship music. His continued interest in Worship and Church Music, especially in the Moravian tradition has prompted the setting up of this site which will provide many worship planning resources as well as give an overview of his compositions. Links to his publishers are provided where appropriate as well as recordings where available. Please explore the site for everything from where to find reprint licenses to choosing hymns for a particular Sunday. If you know of other helpful links, please send them to Mr. Henkelmann so that they can be added to the Resource section.