Dan Schutte was born December 28, 1947, in Neenah, Wisconsin. He is of German/Dutch heritage.  During his years at St. Mary's Grade School in Elm Grove and at Marquette High School, Dan played clarinet and saxophone.  He did undergraduate work at St. Louis University, Missouri.  He studied liturgy and earned a master's degree in divinity at the Jesuit Theological School in Berkeley, California.  He also spent two years studying music composition under Dr. Kevin Waters of Seattle University.

Dan Schutte

Dan taught theology and music for three years at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  He was director of liturgy at Marquette University, as well as parish music director at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Greenfield, Wisconsin, where the Leaflet Missal Prayerbook was in use. Overall, Dan spent twenty years in pastoral ministry while affiliated with the Jesuits.

He continues to compose, travel, and give workshops.  Dan's reputation is that of a liturgical arranger, composer, and performer.  He is the most well known of the "St. Louis Jesuits" whose songs first achieved popularity in the 1970s.  Today, his creative work continues.  Everywhere, his talent is more and more acknowledged.

Dan Schutte's newest works have been published to wide acclaim.  River of Glory, for example, is also recorded on a cassette of the same name, published in octavo format, and included in the American Catholic Hymnbook.  This hymn collection also includes the most popular songs that Dan has previously written, including Sing, O Sing.  Originally, River of Glory first appeared in the American Catholic Hymnbook; without a doubt, he is the most important contemporary composer whose works appear in this publication.

While people love to sing Dan's songs, his concern is greater than simply excellent performance.  It is his intention that people grow in faith, that their words be sung prayer, that the fervor of their song be matched by the depth of their understanding.  That is why he has prepared this Liturgy Planning Workshop. 

Father Gilligan, Dan Schutte, and Joan Termini

Here is Dan Schutte at the 1993 national convention of NPM, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. He is leading the singing of his composition, River of Glory.

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