Junior Choristers
Grades Kindergarten through 2. Our choir for grades K-2 provides the opportunity for children to learn music theory, ear training and vocal technique at this own pace and earn achievement pins and ribbons. We practice each Tuesday form 6:00 - 6:45 PM, September through May and sing the first Sunday of each month during the 11:00 AM worship service, plus Thanksgiving day and Christmas Eve. Jonathan and Marian Noel, Directors.

Senior Choristers
Grades 3 through 8. This choir for grades 3-8 provides the opportunity for children to learn music theory, ear training and vocal technique at this own pace and earn achievement pins and ribbons. We practice each Tuesday form 6:45 - 7:30 PM, September through May and sing the third Sunday of each month during the 11:00 AM worship service, plus Thanksgiving day and Christmas Eve. Jonathan Noel, Director.

Youth Orchestra
Children, grades 3 through 8, who have been taking lessons on brass, wind or string instruments for at least one year are eligible to join this ensemble. A young person's orchestra is formed for Christmas Eve and youth Sunday. Watch for rehearsal times in St. Matthew publications.

Youth Bell Choir
Grades 7 through 12. This high school age bell choir is formed for Christmas Eve and Youth Sunday. Watch for rehearsal times in St. Matthew publications.

The Lutheran Musical Tradition

Lutherans have long been known as a singing people. This is due in a large part of martin Luther and the Reformation. Until his time, the church's liturgy and music was in Latin and sung by the priests and professional choirs leaving the common people out. Martin Luther thought the people should be involved in worship. He translated the service into the language of the people. He gathered composers together to write hymns the people could learn and sing during worship.

The Lutheran Church today retains the principles set forth by Martin Luther. The congregation is encouraged to sing and participate fully in the liturgy. Today our worship includes music spanning more that 1000 years of Christianity: from ancient chant to the sturdy hymnody of the Reformation to the contemporary songs of our own time. Our choirs and ensembles exist to aid the congregation in their singing by providing leadership and enhancing the worship service as we together glorify God.

These musical opportunities are for those who are in 9th grade and up.

Rise & Shine Choir
Our "pick-up choir" for the early crowd does not generally rehearse, but we provide the valuable role of leading the hymn-singing at the 8:00 AM worship service. Jonathan Noel, Director.

Contemporary Choir
"Come as your are able" is the philosophy behind this choir for people who love contemporary praise music. We practice Sunday mornings from 8:00-8:45 AM and lead 9:00 AM worship services year round. Lead singers, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players have an additional rehearsal Saturday mornings. Jon Frey, Director.

Chancel Choir
Our four-part vocal ensemble enjoys singing the glorious repertoire from all eras: renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary. We practice Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM, September through May and sing most Sundays at the 11:00 AM worship service.

Cantata Choir
This ensemble presents larger choral works, often accompanied by orchestra. Rehearsals are scheduled seasonally and follow the 11:00 AM worship with a brown bag lunch. Jonathan Noel, Director.

Requiem Choir (Funeral Choir)
This choir assists the grieving congregation in the singing of hymns for funeral services. Ideal for retirees or people with flexible work schedules. A call list is kept of interested singers who are generally available during the week. No rehearsals-very familiar hymns are sung.  Jonathan Noel, Director.

Praise Band
This group of lead singers and musicians lead the 9:00am Contemporary Worship each Sunday. Auditions are required. Rehearsals are Saturday mornings 8:30am to 10:00am. Jon Frey, Director.

These musical opportunities are for those who are in 9th grade and up.

Carillon Choir
Our bell choir has a blast ringing a five-octave set of Malmark handbells. We practice Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM -7:30 PM, September through May and play the second Sunday of each month during the 8:00 and 11:00 AM worship services, plus Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve. Jonathan Noel, Director

Praise Band
This group of lead singers and musicians lead the 9:00am Contemporary Worship each Sunday. Auditions are required. Rehearsals are Saturday mornings 8:30am to 10:00am. Jon Frey, Director; Worship Choir, Louise Worley, coordinator.

The St. Matthew Orchestra
One of the few remaining church orchestras in the area, we keep the tradition alive by playing marches and familiar band arrangements of the classics. We practice most Sundays, September through May,  9:00 AM-10:00 AM and play frequently for assembly programs and worship. Phil Frey, Director

Reformation Brass
A skilled brass ensemble formed to add flair and festivity to the major celebrations of the church year: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. We have occasional practices for worship services and other church events throughout the year. Dennis Smith, Coordinator.