Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church

Michael Ekbladh

Michael Ekbladh

Michael Ekbladh

Michael will join our staff in August, 2009, as associate director of music ministries.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Michael has served numerous churches in Dallas, Houston, Ft. Worth, and Illinois.  He holds a Masters in Music-Conducting from Texas Christian University, and has pursued a Masters in Sacred Music from Southern Methodist University. 

Michael is currently working as a freelance composer and conductor from his home in Dallas and as Copyright and License Administrator for Choristers Guild.  He has served as conductor, clinician or instructor for such organizations as the Texas Conference Choir Clinic, community colleges, music conferences, and churches of all denominations.  Under Michael’s direction, his choirs have been invited to sing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the International Church Music Festival in Coventry, England.  

Commissioned works have included large works, anthems, and instrumental music of various styles and genres.  Michael has also worked in the past with such composers, conductors, and text writers as Jane Marshall, John Thornburg, Shirley Erena Murray, John Leavitt, Paul Leddington Wright, Constantina Tsolainou, John Giordano, Ronald Shirey, Bill Gorham, and Dr. C Michael Hawn.   Michael has been a member of Choristers Guild, American Choral Directors Association, The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, and The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers as well as a composer with Moon of Hope Publishing and Lorenz Publishing for over ten years.

 What’s in a name?

At the turn of the last century, in order to diversify the last names of it’s citizens, the government of Sweden required all males entering military service to choose a new last name.  My great great grandfather, for whatever reason, decided on Ekbladh (’oak leaf’ in Swedish).  I imagine he was looking out the window at a tree when he made his decision.  His brother, who entered the military at the same time chose a completely different name.  Our original last name was Christianssen.  Ironic, I think.

The German spelling of “oak leaf” is Eichenblatt.  Similar, but not quite the same.  This is the reason many folks try to add a ‘c’ or ‘t’ to my name.  You can image the variations on the spelling.  Sometimes even with a ‘g’ or ‘dt’.  You get the picture.  Growing up with a last name like mine was at times….interesting.  Nicknames such as “egghead” or “eggsplat” were always such a joy to a teenager.  I get a kick out of it today.  My favorite is watching the cashier in a grocery store look at my last name with horror only to discover it is pronounced exactly the way it looks.  “Thank you, Mr…………Ek….bla…..dh?”  I give them a smile to confirm their pronunciation.