Booking Richard

I love singing, liturgical theology, worship, and laughter. Any of this sound interesting to you?

I tend to offer such things in leaderhsip. If you'd like me to come to your seminary, conference, or congregational event, contact me. I'm independent, so there is no booking agent. I'll listen carefully as you describe your hopes for an event, and I'll tell you straight up if I think I can serve you.

richard bruxvoort-colligan

po box 190

strawberry point, ia 52076

(563) 933-4069

richard@worldmaking.net

These are my favorite things to do right now surrounding my passion for music and worship:

SEMINARY ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE (1-3 DAYS)

• music at chapel
• "worldmaking" session(s) with worship/liturgy class
• musicians workshop around learning new congregational songs
• worship workshop around liturgical theology and its interpretation in music
• songwriting workshop around hymn writing
• evening hymn festival/concert open to the wider community
• Continuing Education program for local church workers

CONGREGATIONAL EVENT

• Sunday morning worship
• intergenerational Sunday School program OR workshop/adult ed. time
• evening song festival/concert
• Saturday day-long Worldmaking event

LARGE EVENT RESOURCE

• keynote message
• music: intermittent program songs and/or full feature concert
• workshop topics: liturgical theology and congregational spirituality; trends in music and worship; hymn writing; worship as worldmaking.

OR

HOST A WORLDMAKING EVENT

• large group singing, learning new congregational songs
• keynote by richard
• workshops on hymn writing, song-leading; liturgical theology; trends in music and worship; congregational spirituality.
• concert open to the wider community featuring The River's Voice

I am also wide open to hearing about your own great ideas for an event around music and worship.

Frequently-Asked Questions

• Where did you study?
  • Mayo High School, Rochester, MN, 1985
  • BA Psychology: Luther College, 1990
  • MA Theology and the Arts: United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, 2004
• How long have you been a working theologian/musician?
  About 16 years. In college I considered myself a folk singer/songwriter when I began writing songs. After joining Sojourn, a Christian rock band, the emphasis became pop-rock style and Christian youth events. My interest in seminary brought the discovery of liturgical theology and congregational song composition, and I left seminary with a new name for my passion: "worldmaking" worship.
• So this is your job?
  Yep, believe it or not. I am officially called an Independent Musician and Liturgist. When I am not visiting churches, events and seminaries, I am doing my best to write and publish congregational songs and orders of service.
• Are your songs published?
  Besides publishing through my own worldmaking.net, I have had songs placed with Augsburg Fortress, the United Church of Christ, Dakota Road Music, and Cross the Sky Music.
• Who are your influences?
  • Musically, I was raised on top 40 radio. Mom and Dad also had show tunes, Beatles and ragtime playing in the house. As a result, my musical style tends to be lyrical acoustic-pop.
  • Theologically, I have a number of authors that challenge and inspire me. Walt Brueggemann, Gail Ramshaw, Don Saliers and Gordon Lathrop were central in my Masters thesis. Other heroes include Fred Rogers, Thomas Moore, Howard Thurman, Julian of Norwich, Paul Tillich.
  • Spiritually, my influences include: my Missouri Synod Lutheran roots, Zen, and songwriting practice.
• How far do you travel?
  Anywhere. Except the center of the earth. I hear it's just too darn hot.
• Do you travel alone or with a band?
  Though I enjoy coming alone, I prefer to bring my wife Trish who sings beautifully and who plays piano wonderfully (no bias here). Together, Trish and I are called The River's Voice. And, if I do say so myself, it's a real treat to hear both of us together (I know it is for me). You hear her voice on the Worldmaking and Seeds of Faith cds. We have several other duet cds available.
• How much do you charge?
  In addition to a professional fee, I generally ask for hotel accommodations, meals and travel expenses to be covered. Please email or call, and I can give you a figure right away. I ask for 50% up front as a deposit to confirm the date, and I generally submit a voucher for expenses following the event.
• Is there a contract?
  Yes, after we agree on the details of your event, I will email-attach you a simple Performance Agreement spelling out those details. We both sign, and you return one copy with the deposit.
• Do you design events or plug into events?
  • Both. I can plug in by leading music, doing workshops, or performing a concert.
  • If you'd like me to design a special gathering, I will listen to your dreams and goals, and propose some options for you to consider. Then, with your partnership, I will take the reigns and plan the whole event. Past events include: Music, Movement and Spirituality; Christ Within: a retreat for mystics; Songwriting Summits.
  • If you'd like to host a Worldmaking event, I'd be happy to bring my event to your town with your needs in mind.
• How far in advance are you booked?
  Typically, I am booked 5 months in advance. But there are sometimes holes in the calendar to be filled, so feel free to contact me.
• Do you bring your own sound system?
  It's always best to use whatever sound system is indigenous to the gathering space. Not only is that system usually designed for that room, people are accustomed to how it sounds and looks, so there is minimal distraction from the presentation. If we need a sound system for your event, I have a system that can cover up to about 200 people, depending on the shape of the room.

Seldom-Asked Questions

• Which was your favorite Star Wars movie?
  Episode IV: A New Hope. You know, the first one released. I stood in line and saw it 7 times during it's first showing in 1976.
• What are some of your favorite words?
  • lotion
  • tremendous
  • Wendy (my Grandma Lu's dog)
  • debacle
• Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood?
  Absolutely Mr. Rogers. Fred Rogers is one of my heroes. In fact, at seminary, I did a paper of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as a liturgical model.
• Do you have any physical deformities, limitations or conditions that would prevent you from safely doing this job?
  No, thanks for asking.
• Who is your favorite super-hero?
  The Tick. Green Lantern, a distant second.