Morten Lauridsen is an American composer, a National Medal of Arts recipient, and one of the most performed composers in American choral music. In addition, he and his family were members at Bethel and Morten, also known as "Skip", was an active member of the Pilgrim Choir and Pilgrim Fellowship group at Bethel! We have been approached by writer Jim Bond, who is currently working on a biographical book about Mr. Lauridsen, and he is looking to interview anyone who may have known Morten "Skip" Lauridsen personally. He would have been most active at the church in the late 1950s and early 60s as a youth, before moving out of the area to pursue his career in music. Jim had the following to share: "Those Bethel programs meant the world to him, and he still sees the church as very much like a family. Singing in the choir led to his love of choral music, which shaped his own choices when he became a composer in the mid-1960s." Did you ever know Morten "Skip" Lauridsen at Bethel? If so, and if you would be interested in assisting this writer with his book by taking part in a Zoom interview, email exchange, or phone call, please contact the office at office@bethelbeaverton.org.
If you are interested in learning more about Morten Lauridsen's work, Jim Bond shared one of his articles about Morten, which will be included as one of the chapters in his upcoming book. You can view the article by clicking here.