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Music Ministry
St. Luke's was established as the church of the Word and the Sacrament.
Sincere, effective mission begins with God-centered worship. Music
in worship provides a meaningful, appropriate setting and context
for the spoken Word. Indeed, there are times when music conveys the
Word, though differently, as profoundly as the spoken Word. Music
communicates and inspires in ways speech cannot. The music at St.
Luke's Presbyterian Church provides the important function of framing
and communicating the Word by directing our focus toward God and His
omnipotence.
The many people who are actively involved in our ministry of music
have multiple blessings: they are both recipients of and participants
in God's Word. They not only hear and receive it, they repeat it,
sing and play it and memorize it. They participate in God's Word
in such a way that allows His Voice to impress itself deeply upon
hearts, minds and daily lives. Whatever your age, interest, ability
or schedule, there's a place for you in music.
For more information about the music ministry, please contact Clair Maxwell at 770-393-1424 ext. 227 or by e-mail at clairmaxwell@st-lukes-pres.org.
Cherub - Choir
 This beginning choir is comprised of children ages four to first grade.
They rehearse on Wednesdays 5:15 - 6:00 p.m.in Room 124 and sing at special times
of the year (i.e., Thanksgiving, Christmas season, Palm Sunday and
Mother's Day).. Director is Jill Hudson who can be reached at 770-399-9373 or by e-mail at bill.jill@cc.net.
Westminster - Choir
 The singers in this choir are in grades 2-5. This
choir leads in worship each Sunday and joins the Chancel Choir frequently
in singing responses and special anthems. Special attention is given
to creating an atmosphere of enjoyment and positive reinforcement
as children are creatively taught proper voice training, music reading
skills, worship traditions and values plus instrumental development.
This choir also learns to play choir chimes and rhythm instruments.
They meet every Wednesday from 5:15 - 6:00p.m. in the choir room. Registration forms are available online and should be sent to Clair Maxwell.
Festival Ringers
 On Monday evenings at 7:00p.m. in the bell room from September through May, more than 16 adults gather
to ring bells and have fun. Men and women comprise this group where
the only prerequisite is the desire to learn. Music-reading skills
as well as advanced bell techniques are taught. This choir rings several
times throughout the year for services and special occasions including
weddings and in the community. Registration forms are available online and should be sent to Clair Maxwell.
This choir played at the Govenor's Mansion and Georgia State Capital Christmas tree lightings.
In December, 2004, they initiated a Toys for Tots Bells and Brass concert. This concert is scheduled for Sunday,
December 2nd at 6:00pm. Admission is a Toy for a Tot. Love offering is also collected for US Navy-Marine Family
Relief Society.
Chancel Choir
This choir is comprised of adults and talented teenagers who come
together each week to prepare music for regular services, special
concerts and events. The repertoire of the choir covers all eras of
music. Thus, the choir is well versed in everything from Gregorian
and Genevan chant to 21st century literature. It has premiered anthems
by K. Lee Scott, Howard Davis, and Jane Marshall. In November 1998
the Chancel Choir sang Mozart's Coronation Mass at Carnegie Hall,
New York City. They sang at the Montreat Conference Center in August
2001 and 2002, and at Columbia Seminary in March 2002. The Chancel
Choir will be returning to Carnegie Hall in May 2003, to perform Rutter's
Requiem. On Memorial Day of 2005, the Chancel Choir sang Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem,
under the direction of John Rutter at Carnegie Hall.
Sight-reading skills, vocal training, worship traditions,
knowledge of liturgy and warm collegiality are blended together in
weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Childcare
is provided for families. Chancel choir registration forms are available online and should be returned to Clair Maxwell.
Other Opportunities
The Music Ministry also sponsors and supports concerts of other performing
organizations at St. Luke's.Additional opportunities to serve the Ministry of Music are open
to instrumentalists, those with computer skills, publicity expertise
and library and filing abilities. People with these interests are
cordially invited to contact our Music Director, Clair Maxwell.
The Organ
 The beautiful organ at
St. Luke's Presbyterian Church was built and installed in 1987 by
the Shantz Organ Company. The organ was custom designed and voiced
especially for an acoustically excellent sanctuary.
Each pipe is handmade and speaks as a singer "sings".
Pipes have feet, mouths, tongues, ears and sometimes beards. The
organ's palette of tonal colors ranges from softest string sounds
to vibrant festival trumpets.
The Shantz organ at St. Luke's has 2148 pipes, 37 ranks, 3 manuals
(keyboards) and contains a set of 21 tubular chimes and zybelstern
(small bells used for festive occasions).
The instrument is well suited to playing all music from meditative
communion hymns to the most demanding recital literature.
Upcoming Dates of Interest:
Saturday, August 23 at 8 p.m.
The DeKalb Choral Guild will be with us on Saturday, August 23 at 8 p.m. for a special “Buon Viagge—Italian Tour Preview Concert.” The concert program features Italian art songs, new works by American composers and the Guild’s newly commissioned work, “The Beatitudes” by Czech composer Jiri Laburda. The tickets are $15 each and $5 for seniors and students. To purchase your tickets, go to their website (www.dekalbchoralguild.org).
The DeKalb Choral Guild has presented choral music to the Atlanta area for three decades. The Guild has brought together people from all walks of life to share and enjoy classical and contemporary choral music. Mark your calendar, pick up your tickets, and we will see you on August 23!
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