==Biography==
Grew up in Elm Grove, Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University High School before entering the Jesuits.
Was one of the founding members of the St. Louis Jesuits who popularized a contemporary style of church music set to biblical and other religious texts sung in English as a result of the liturgical reforms initiated by Vatican II.
He released nine CDs with the St. Louis Jesuits and a 30 year anniversary collection in 2005. Other members of the St. Louis Jesuits were Bob Dufford, Roc O'Connor, John Foley and Tim Manion. He left the Jesuit order in 1986.
His compositions are primarily written for liturgical use, particularly in Catholic worship. Some of the more notable include "City of God" (1981), "Only This I Want" (1981), "Blest Be the Lord" (1976), "You Are Near" (1971), "Though the Mountains May Fall" (1975), "Sing a New Song" (1972), "Glory and Praise to Our God" (1976) and "Table of Plenty" (1992).
Many Christian artists such as John Michael Talbot and Amy Grant have recorded his compositions.
He has also released five solo CDs through his publisher Oregon Catholic Press.
In 2006, he wrote the component of a major catechetical program for teachers on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius and the use of music in prayer. He continues to compose new music, write about spirituality and travels extensively giving concerts and workshops on music and spirituality.
In addition to his Jesuit formation, he hold two masters degrees from The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. He later studied music with the other members of the St. Louis Jesuits under the direction of Kevin Waters at Seattle University.
Schutte presently is Composer-in-Residence at the University of San Francisco.
==Recognition==
* Honorary Doctoral Degree, University of Scranton 1980.
* Honorary Doctoral Degree, Creighton University 2006.
* Grammy Nomination with The St. Louis Jesuits.
* Song of the Year 2001, United Catholic Music and Video Association, ''Here, I Am, Lord''.
* Number One Favorite Hymn poll by readers of The Tablet 2004, ''I, the Lord of sea and sky''/''Here I am, Lord''.
== His music in contemporary Catholic culture ==
Dan Schutte is one of many musicians who compose contemporary Catholic liturgical music. This music has enjoyed widespread success throughout the English speaking world. There have also been a number of controversies surrounding this music.
Many of Schutte's compositions, often based closely on scripture, are among the favorite worship songs of a whole generation of Catholics, and have undoubtedly played an important part in the spiritual experience of many.
For some years, a number of people have argued that Schutte's music and those of a similar style not to be suitable for use in Catholic liturgies. Some of these people prefer Gregorian chant and the Latin Mass, while others prefer the hymns that were common in the two centuries prior to the 1970s.
Still, a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians among members found that one of Schutte's hymns came in second among "songs that make a difference". In 2004, a similar survery conducted by The Tablet, an international Catholic magazine, reported Dan Schutte's hymn, "Here I Am, Lord" as reader's favorite. Other polls conducted by major Catholic music publishers and copyright license requests show a similar trend that Schutte's music is among some of the most requested by pastoral musicicans for Catholic Liturgy.
== See also ==
* St. Louis Jesuits
* Marty Haugen
== External links ==
* www.DanSchutte.com
* www.ocp.org
* www.PilgrimMusic.com
City of God
Dan Schutte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
a light for his people to set their hearts free.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.
O comfort my people; make gentle your words.
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.
Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
The song City of God by Dan Schutte speaks of the dawn of a new day for those who weep, and the emergence of a bright light that has conquered the darkness. This light has come from the Lord, who has answered the longing of humanity and called us to build the city of God in unity. The song is an invitation to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, and to join hands to bring comfort to those in pain, and to proclaim the day of new beginnings.
The lyrics invoke a message of hope and bring to light the need for unity and compassion. They imply that through the guidance of the Lord, people can work together to heal their community and overcome their struggles. The song calls on everyone to join hands in the construction of the city of God, to spread love and kindness to those in need, and to share the good news of his coming, so that all may rejoice.
Line by Line Meaning
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
Sadness will be lifted in the arrival of a new day.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
Those in despair have found hope and light amidst their darkness.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
God has triumphed over darkness and despair.
Let us build the city of God.
Let us work together to create a community filled with God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
May our sorrows give way to joy and celebration!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
For God is the source of our enlightenment and affection,
has turned the night into day!
God has transformed sorrowful times into a rejoicing era!
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
God's affection has helped us overcome difficult times.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
God called upon us to be a kind and caring people,
a light for his people to set their hearts free.
giving hope and guidance to others who desire spiritual freedom.
Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all.
Let us live our lives as children of God, following in His footsteps.
O comfort my people; make gentle your words.
Speak kindly towards all and offer them solace.
Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.
Announce the offering of a new start for our people.
Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
Spread the good news so that everyone can join in the happiness.
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank Bellini
on A Light Has Shone
From a Jesuit musician and one of the founding members of the St. Louis Jesuits, leaders in composition of a contemporary liturgical music inspired by Vatican II, enjoy the bright and spirited refrain with well-placed leaps, gradually ascending an octave, capturing the joyful message… and the verses expressive (and fun for the choir) pitch play.