Pictured is Karl Bruhn and noted composer Helen Kemp to his left.

After 40 years of teaching, mostly at Edison Middle School in Wheaton, IL, I have finally “hung up the chalk.” I miss the kids but not the other “stuff.” I continue to play the organ and direct choirs–like I have done since my HS years. Presently I am the organist and music director at St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown Lombard, IL. I have been there for eight years now. Also, I am the IL state chairman of the AGO (American Guild of Organists). I oversee all the various IL chapters–all the way from Rockford to Cairo. This spring I have started giving piano lessons to local kids in Batavia where I live. Also, I am in training for giving tours for the Chicago Architectural Foundation–combining history and architecture–two of my favorite topics. In about two weeks (c. March 21) we are expecting our first grandchild, who will be born in St. Paul, MN where our son and daughter-in-law live. We are very excited about this. I still keep up with Dr. Gehrenbeck, my old organ teacher from IWU days. We frequently see him and his wife (Helen) when visiting MN. Life is good, and I still greatly appreciate my IWU years. –Karl Bruhn