Dr. Samuel Eatherton has accepted the call to join the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis beginning in summer 2024. He will serve as assistant professor of Practical Theology and as kantor and director of music arts. Additionally, he will be named the second occupant of the Kreft Chair for Music Arts. Eatherton will be formally installed Aug. 23, 2024, during the Opening Service of the 2024-25 academic year.

The Seminary’s Board of Regents called Eatherton at its Nov. 9 meeting. He succeeds Dr. James Marriott, who served as the director of musical arts from 2015-22, when he accepted a call to Concordia University Texas, Austin.

“We are delighted in the Lord’s provision of Dr. Samuel Eatherton. He is an outstanding musician and leader and is very personable,” said Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger. “In his new role, he will be instrumental in shaping hearts and voices in praise to Christ, not only here in our Seminary chapel but also across our church body. We look forward to welcoming Sam and his wonderful family into our Concordia Seminary community, and we are so grateful to Dr. Karl Kreft and his late wife, Shirley, for their generous establishment of the Kreft Chair for Music Arts that Dr. Eatherton will occupy.”

Since 2020, Eatherton has served as kantor at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Sheboygan, Wis., where his ministry has centered around music, including leading choirs, and teaching literature. Previously, Eatherton served as minister of music and teacher at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Dallas, Texas, from 2000-20. Additionally, he served for four years as a teacher and the director of music at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in St. Joseph, Mich.

Eatherton received a Doctor of Musical Arts in church music from Baylor University (2019) and a Master of Church Music from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill. (2003). He holds a Bachelor of Science in education, with a concentration in music, from Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward (1996). Continuing his education with private study in organ literature and improvisation, he studied with Dr. Gerre Hancock at the University of Texas, Austin (2010-12) and with Dr. Larry Palmer at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas (2001).

“The Seminary has bestowed upon me a great honor by calling me to the position of kantor and assistant professor of Practical Theology,” Eatherton said. “After prayerful consideration, it is with humble joy that I accept this call to serve Christ and His church at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. I am excited to provide leadership to the faculty and students in proclaiming the Word of Christ richly through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as St. Paul directs us.”

Eatherton and his wife, Lois — who will relocate to St. Louis — have five children: Hannah, Rebekah, Ruth, David and Sarah.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.