SLIDESHOW
Celebrating Excellence
The achievements of the Moravian Music Foundation are a direct result of having the right people, with a high level of experience and expertise.
No two people better exemplify excellence than our director and assistant director,
who served 30 years and 15 years, respectively, before retiring in August of 2022.
Rev. Nola Reed Knouse, Ph.D.
Gwyneth Michel
Reception in Bethlehem, PA
Reception in Winston-Salem, NC
To the extent that time allowed, Nola Knouse has continued scholarly work, editing and writing:
The Music of the Moravian Church in America (published 2008),
and nearing completion of:
Preserving, Sharing, Celebrating;
A History of the Moravian Music Foundation.
Nola has affirmed that all of these things could happen only with a great staff and a supportive Board of Trustees, recognizing that it takes a group of dedicated and gifted people to do things like these, and MMF has been richly blessed, in both the staff members and the Board. The trustees also all agree with Nola that none of these things could have happened without our donors and friends.
As the sole staff member in Bethlehem, Gwyn has gracefully managed a variety of administrative responsibilities there, and cultivated a productive symbiotic relationship with the Moravian Archives (Northern Province), where the MMF office and collections reside, as well as with Moravian University, Theological Seminary, area arts and historical organizations, and with the leadership and agencies of the Moravian Church (Northern Province).
Dear Friend of the Moravian Music Foundation,
Leadership is core to the essence and success of unique organizations. Strong leaders create an environment for its direction and depth. The Moravian Music Foundation has been fortunate to have had many core leaders among our directors who have guided the Foundation, brought vision to our musical world, and connected with our supporters and friends.
I am writing to announce the upcoming retirement in August 2022 of two such exceptional leaders within our organization: Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse, Director, and Gwyneth Michel, Assistant Director. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the dedication of Nola and Gwyn, who have served 30 years and 15 years, respectively. We congratulate them on the achievements of long and productive careers and wish them well as they transition to a well-deserved retirement. We have been blessed by the work they have done and the direction they have set for the Foundation.
Through Nola’s and Gwyn’s leadership and your support, the Foundation has continued to preserve, share, and celebrate our unique Moravian musical life, which has become such a strong part of our faith and worship. Change is inevitable, but the vision of the Foundation will continue under the direction of new leadership. We will embark on a rigorous national search over the next few months. We are fortunate to be able to build on the strong history of the Foundation as we continue to preserve, share, and celebrate the music of the Moravians.
Sincerely yours,
G. Randall Gibbs, President
Moravian Music Foundation Board of Trustees
What an honor to work with both of these ladies, to learn from their knowledge and to benefit from their professionalism. They have shared their talents, their love of music, and their love of God. Many blessings as you transition to new beginnings.
You will both be sorely missed. Your talent will be greatly missed. Nola, you have inspired me many times to play my flute in church. I actually volunteered to sing “Morning Star” Christmas Eve in church with my cousin Madison. I wake up every morning and hit myself in the head saying “what were you thinking!!!!” I haven’t sung a solo in church in years! I’ll probably pass out! Madison will just look at me and continue to sing. She’s just like her Dad, nothing fazes them. 🙂 The best part about retirement……no alarm clock!!!!! Wishing you both all the best.
Gwyn, I’ve known you for 40 years – gasp! Working with you at Harold Flammer/GlorySound was an honor. Then our friendship developed and you introduced me to the Moravian Church and your parents and your relatives in Bethlehem. You introduced me to the Moravian traditions and music. Little did I know that I’d later move to Bethlehem myself and become a Moravian! You have enriched the Moravian church music tradition with your excellence and enriched my life as my friend. Happy retirement. You’ve earned it!
To Nola and Gwyn,
It is with great respect and admiration I can only say, WELL DONE!
I am in awe of your many accomplishments! Your expertise and dedication in the area of church music, especially with devotion to Moravian music, has been such a gift to so many. The time and effort you have each dedicated to the advancement of Moravian music and appreciation for it has been nothing short of stellar! It has always been a profound pleasure to be part of your musical endeavors. From pickup choir for hymn singing (and recordings) to glorious concerts in the present, it is a joy to be with you both. All the very best in whatever lies ahead.
Nola and Gwyn,
Thank you for your tireless work on behalf of Moravian Music and the broader church. I have enjoyed and been blessed by both of you through friendship and collaboration.
May God richly prosper your future endeavors and pastimes.
Nola and Gwyn, Thank you for your dedicated service to provide so many opportunities for us to share Moravian music. We are so grateful.
Nola, you are a wonderful musician, organizer, collaborator, spiritual leader, and speaker. It is amazing that, with so many responsibilities to keep many decades of Moravian music vital, you have been able to make personal connecttions.
Twice you surprised me. During our European tour, as we sat at dinner, suddenly “Happy Birthday” was sung as a cake, candle, and little bottle of wine were delivered to me. You had seen my birth date on my passport and made the day a special memory for me forever. I still have the candle and bottle of wine on my little Moravian table.
At the opening meeting of the 25th Moravian Music Festival you asked how many were attending for the first time, how many had come the previous year, how many had come for five years, etc. People rose at the appropriate times. Then you asked how many had performed in the First Music Festival in 1950. I was the only one standing. Nola, you knew you were going to bring me to tears.
Dear Nola and Gwyn,
We wish to express our appreciation for your outstanding leadership of The Moravian Music Foundation. Your dedication to sacred music has inspired our faith and encouraged a climate of authentic worship in our congregations.
May the Lord be with you both in you well-deserved retirements.
In Christian love,
Nancy and Will Harstine
Congratulations on your retirement Nola and Gwyn!
You have blessed many women’s conferences with your leadership and passion for music! You’ve encouraged so many! You have both been gracious when leading workshops despite the many sounds choirs and bands make! You will be missed! Thank you!
Congratulations and grateful thanks to you for bringing to life a treasure trove of beautiful sound. You were central to the growth of the Foundation from its housing in rooms all over the Siewers mansion on Cascade Avenue to the present beautiful state of the arts facility. The Vardell-Sandresky families are especially happy to have our memorabilia housed and protected there.
With best wishes for a wonderfully relaxing retirement from your long-time friend and colleague
The Moravian Music Foundation under the leadership of Nola and Gwyn has become the place to go when anyone needs a ready resource of the best in music for worship, clarification on copyright law, information on music history, or a never failing source of enthusiasm and support in the music journey of one individual or of many. Our personal gratitude is expressed for the honor in the establishment of the James V Salzwedel Music Award in recognition of the excellent and faithful ministry of so many church musicians. The legacy of Nola and Gwyn will be treasured for generations to come. Their professional contribution to the local and worldwide church is immeasurable. “When in our music God is glorified….Alleluia”. James and Sarah Salzwedel
Dear Nola and Gwyn,
An “Era’ has come to an end, and I am deeply saddened. It is difficult to fathom The Music Foundation without the two of you. You are synonymous with Moravian Music. Your academic gifts have been incredible; your musical gifts are awesome; your gifts of Christian love and relationship have warmed my heart. God bless you in whatever new venture you choose. (And that may be sitting in the rocking chair, and maybe actually rocking in a couple of years)!