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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.
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 2009-2010 friends who care! The Aiken Family Amy's Ice Cream Always Entertaining Catering The Armstrong Family Azure Skin and Spa Clinic Mr. J. Barclay, III The Bader-Saye Family Bates Investigations The Berardino Family the Bethinger Family BOMA Austin The Bostick Family The Brana Family The Brewer Family The Canada Family Capitol Credit Union The Casati-Chavarria Family Ms. E. Chenoweth Chuy's The Dahl Family Ms. L. Davis The W. T. Davis Family Davis Gallery The Denkler Family The Ditlow Family Ms. L. L. Estes The Eubanks Family EyeTech The Fagan Family The Fitz Family The Frankhouser Family Ms. J. Fuller The Grimes Family The Hanson Family The Harder Family The Harris Family The Hartline Family Ms. T. Heller Rebecca Henderson and Dan Kowolski Hoovers Horseshoe Bay Resort IODA, San Francisco Julio's Cafe The Kajs Family The Kier Family Lee County Armory The Levinson Family The Lipscomb Family Long Center for the Performing Arts Love and Light Images Ms. Barbara Manson The Marquis Family Massage by Mark Robin May Lau Photography The May Family Ms. C. McDonald The Mercado Family The Miller Family Miria--Fine Art Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill The Moriyz Family The Moyle Family New Bohemia Vintage Clothing The Novit Family The Pace Family Pei Wei The Perry Family The Prather Family The Ragusin-Seiler Family Mr. J. Ratliff The Rech Family The Reistad Family The Roberts Family Ms. L. Roebuck Round Rock Express Russell Korman Fine Jewelry & Watches Mr. Ray Schafer and Family The Schiffner Family Schultze and Associates The Smith Family Ms. J. Smootz The Smolinsky Family Spa at Plaza Cortez Sugar and Spice Catering Tennis Buddy's Texas General Land Office Texas Sailing U Better Sing Vocal Studio Uchi The Watts 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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