Brian Wentzel

Brian Wentzel, MSM, FAGO, is Director of Music at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lorain, Ohio, where he has served since 2006. At First Lutheran Brian has developed the FIRST•music concert series, and was instrumental in procuring a Historic Organ Citation from the Organ Historical Society for the church's Brombaugh organ, all while remaining focused on the core mission of leading congregational singing. Brian also is the dean of the Lorain County Chapter of the AGO, sings with Apollo's Fire, and serves on the worship committee of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA.

Brian's degrees are from Northwestern University, (BMus, BA, 2003) and Luther Seminary (Master of Sacred Music, 2006). He earned the Fellowship certificate from the American Guild of Organists in 2011. His first organ teacher was his father, Steven Wentzel. Subsequent teachers have included Paul Westermeyer, John Ferguson, Anton Armstrong, John Sherer, Douglas Cleveland, and Margaret Kemper, among others.

Brian was the winner of the Immanuel Lutheran Church (Evanston, IL) Organ Award for 2003. He is the author of the Philosophy of Church Music course (2007) of the Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Smaller Congregations. He has given recitals and hymn festivals in Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota.