Richard Hillert

Bio

Best known for his composition “Worthy Is Christ” with its antiphon “This Is the Feast of Victory for Our God,” †Richard Hillert (1923–2010) enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a composer and teacher of composition that spanned over four decades. “This Is the Feast,” written for the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978), is now published in more than twenty worship resources from many denominations.

Hillert received a bachelor of science degree in education from Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University, Chicago) and master of music and doctor of music degrees in composition from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

He was distinguished professor of music emeritus at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois, having been professor of music there from 1959 to 1993. He served as music department chair (1964–65 and 1986–89), as coordinator of the Master of Church Music program and as associate editor of the journal Church Music (1966–80).

A prolific composer, Hillert published works that include an array of liturgical music for congregation, choral motets, hymns, psalm settings, organ works, concertati and cantatas. OCP recently released Worthy Is Christ, which features some of his magnificent choral compositions. He also authored numerous scholarly articles and reviews for Church Music, CrossAccent, Currents in Theology and Mission and other professional books and journals. He received an honorary doctor of sacred music degree from Valparaiso University, and honorary doctor of letters degrees from Concordia University at Seward, Nebraska and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He was an honorary life member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.