Composer Richard Hillert, March 14, 1923-February 18, 2010

Facebook Friend Dale Witte notes on his blog the loss of many great church musicians over the last year or two. Richard Hillert is no exception.

If you are familiar with Lutheran Book of Worship (the "green" hymnal), you will recognize him as the composer for "Holy Communion, Setting One."

If you are familiar with Lutheran Worship (the "blue" hymnal), you will recognize him as the composer for "Divine Service Two, Setting One."

If these hymnals are long past in your mind and you have transitioned to Lutheran Service Book (we call this one LSB instead of referring to its color), you will recognize him as the composer for "Divine Service, Setting One."

Still a little confused? Richard Hillert is probably best known for "Festive Canticle: Worthy Is Christ," commonly known as "This Is the Feast."

If you are in the Chicago area, a funeral service for Richard Hillert will be held this evening, February 22, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois.

You can learn more about Dr. Hillert at this Wiki entry, which was posted by his daughter.

 Here is Dr. Hillert's setting of a hymn by Martin Luther.