![Mark Trautman Mark Trautman](https://dioceseofnewark.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_hero_image/public/images/MarkTrautman.jpg?itok=KRXOuYYV)
I am Mark Trautman, and I write this note as the Bishop’s newly appointed Missioner of Music and the Arts for the Diocese of Newark. I serve as the Director of Music at St. Paul’s in Englewood, where I direct a large choral program that includes an after-school program for children and teenagers.
I already have had the opportunity to meet and work with many of you through my work as a member of the Liturgy and Music Commission and a member of the ACTS/VIM Board of the diocese.
In my role as Missioner of Music and the Arts, I hope to begin a dialogue with all church musicians so that we can work together to build a learning community of musicians in our diocese that will strengthen our roles as ministers of music in our congregations. To that end, I will be calling on every congregation this summer to introduce myself and to ask for your help.
It has been many years since musicians of the diocese have met together. I am asking all musicians to join me for a daylong workshop this fall, venue and day to be decided. Every congregation in our diocese makes live music on a regular basis, and we need every musician to be part of our ongoing work.
Please feel free to reach out to me at St. Paul’s (201-568-3276) or email me at mtrautman@stpaulsenglewood.org. I invite your advice, concerns, and suggestions and I look forward to working with everyone in the future.