Our Sponsors
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This project is funded and supported
in part by the City of Austin through
the Cultural Arts Division and by a
grant from the Texas Commission on
the Arts and an award from the
National Endowment for the Arts, which
believes that a great nation deserves
great art.
in part by the City of Austin through
the Cultural Arts Division and by a
grant from the Texas Commission on
the Arts and an award from the
National Endowment for the Arts, which
believes that a great nation deserves
great art.
Thank you to our friends who care!
The Aiken Family
BOMA Austin
The Bostick Family
Ms. L. L. Estes
The Eubanks Family
The Hartline Family
Ms. T. Heller
Rebecca Henderson and Dan Kowolski
The Kier Family
Ms. Barbara Manson
The Marquis Family
May Lau Photography
The Moriyz Family
The Moyle Family
The Pace Family
The Perry Family
The Reistad Family
The Schiffner Family
The Whittaker Family
The Aiken Family
BOMA Austin
The Bostick Family
Ms. L. L. Estes
The Eubanks Family
The Hartline Family
Ms. T. Heller
Rebecca Henderson and Dan Kowolski
The Kier Family
Ms. Barbara Manson
The Marquis Family
May Lau Photography
The Moriyz Family
The Moyle Family
The Pace Family
The Perry Family
The Reistad Family
The Schiffner Family
The Whittaker Family
A Tribute to our Founder, Dr. Bernard Gastler 1929-2009
Oliver Bernard “Bernie” Gastler was born August 14,
1929, in Wellsville, Missouri, the second of four sons
born to Leo and Thelma Gastler. He was baptized on
September 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville.
Raised and educated in this church and farming
community, Bernie was confirmed at age 13 and
graduated from high school in 1947. He enrolled at
Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska. It
was here that he met Ruth (nee Meyer). They were
married on July 13, 1952 in Powhattan, Kansas.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from
Concordia in 1953, Bernie began his service as a
Christian day school teacher, organist, and choir director
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur, Texas. His
service continued here for the next 12 years.
Bernie began his graduate studies at the University of
Texas in 1957. He was awarded the Master of Music
degree in 1963. That same year he accepted the position
of teacher and organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church in
Austin. Here he served the people of God far beyond his
original call for the rest of his life.
In the late 1970’s Bernie began his studies for the Doctor
of Music degree at the University of Texas. He wrote his
dissertation about the use of sacred music in church pre-
schools. It was dedicated “to all the little children and
teachers who like to sing songs to God.” During this
time, he began part-time service at Concordia University,
Austin. In 1982 he became a full time professor in
Concordia’s music department. Bernie received his
doctoral degree from the University of Texas in 1983.
While teaching at Concordia, Bernie initiated plans in
1986 for what would become the Austin Children’s Choir.
He served as its founding director until he retired from
Concordia in 1995. Never far from his farming roots,
Bernie was an avid gardener who also loved to fish and
travel. Transplanted to Texas, he was an ardent UT
supporter and kept up-to-date on local sports, but he
always remained a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He relished the opportunity to play card and board
games with family and friends. Always close to his Lord,
Bernie worked tirelessly to nurture and maintain
friendships in Christ and to provide steadfast leadership
in a variety of capacities both at St. Paul and in the Texas
District of the Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.
A consummate and professional musician, Bernie was a
member of the Texas Music Educators Association
(TMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA),
Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), Music
Educators National Conference (MENC), and Choristers
Guild. Dr. Bernard Gastler, devoted husband, loving
father, gifted musician, faithful teacher, and humble
servant of Christ, died on Saturday, November 21, after
an extended illness precipitated by a stroke last spring.
He received Christian burial at a family graveside (Friday,
November 27) at the Cook‑Walden Capital Parks
Cemetery in Pflugerville. Bernie Gastler leaves a legacy
of commitment and service expressed in and through the
enduring gift of music which continues to echo and ring
out in the lives of those so enriched by his instruction and
example. A teacher and friend of children of all ages, he
now belongs to the celestial choir who sing God’s
praises and whose lives go on in endless song.
To God be the glory!
Oliver Bernard “Bernie” Gastler was born August 14,
1929, in Wellsville, Missouri, the second of four sons
born to Leo and Thelma Gastler. He was baptized on
September 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville.
Raised and educated in this church and farming
community, Bernie was confirmed at age 13 and
graduated from high school in 1947. He enrolled at
Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska. It
was here that he met Ruth (nee Meyer). They were
married on July 13, 1952 in Powhattan, Kansas.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from
Concordia in 1953, Bernie began his service as a
Christian day school teacher, organist, and choir director
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur, Texas. His
service continued here for the next 12 years.
Bernie began his graduate studies at the University of
Texas in 1957. He was awarded the Master of Music
degree in 1963. That same year he accepted the position
of teacher and organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church in
Austin. Here he served the people of God far beyond his
original call for the rest of his life.
In the late 1970’s Bernie began his studies for the Doctor
of Music degree at the University of Texas. He wrote his
dissertation about the use of sacred music in church pre-
schools. It was dedicated “to all the little children and
teachers who like to sing songs to God.” During this
time, he began part-time service at Concordia University,
Austin. In 1982 he became a full time professor in
Concordia’s music department. Bernie received his
doctoral degree from the University of Texas in 1983.
While teaching at Concordia, Bernie initiated plans in
1986 for what would become the Austin Children’s Choir.
He served as its founding director until he retired from
Concordia in 1995. Never far from his farming roots,
Bernie was an avid gardener who also loved to fish and
travel. Transplanted to Texas, he was an ardent UT
supporter and kept up-to-date on local sports, but he
always remained a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He relished the opportunity to play card and board
games with family and friends. Always close to his Lord,
Bernie worked tirelessly to nurture and maintain
friendships in Christ and to provide steadfast leadership
in a variety of capacities both at St. Paul and in the Texas
District of the Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.
A consummate and professional musician, Bernie was a
member of the Texas Music Educators Association
(TMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA),
Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), Music
Educators National Conference (MENC), and Choristers
Guild. Dr. Bernard Gastler, devoted husband, loving
father, gifted musician, faithful teacher, and humble
servant of Christ, died on Saturday, November 21, after
an extended illness precipitated by a stroke last spring.
He received Christian burial at a family graveside (Friday,
November 27) at the Cook‑Walden Capital Parks
Cemetery in Pflugerville. Bernie Gastler leaves a legacy
of commitment and service expressed in and through the
enduring gift of music which continues to echo and ring
out in the lives of those so enriched by his instruction and
example. A teacher and friend of children of all ages, he
now belongs to the celestial choir who sing God’s
praises and whose lives go on in endless song.
To God be the glory!
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