Music Ministries
Music is an integral element of the worship experience at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church.
We confess Music as a precious gift from God as the church
In liturgy and song
In faith and love
Through centuries of wrong
Has borne witness to the truth in every tongue with song.
We confess Music as a precious gift from God as the church
In liturgy and song
In faith and love
Through centuries of wrong
Has borne witness to the truth in every tongue with song.
The Scholz Memorial Organ
The 12 rank, 811 pipe, 3 division, 2 manual, and 27 register instrument was designed specifically for the sanctuary at Abiding Savior, and was constructed new in 1996 by Hagerstown Pipe Organ Company, Inc. This instrument was commissioned, and the construction supervised, by Charles and Charlotte Scholz as a gift to the Glory of God and to encourage the praise of the people of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. The pipes are fabricated from wood, zinc, and a tin/lead combination. Some notable features are that both the Swell and the Great chests are under expression, the action is Möller direct electric, and it has a Peterson solid state combination action.
In 2020/2021, funds were donated to the Music Ministry in memory of Mr. Art Swett, former Lutheran educator, organist, and music director. It was decided to use these funds to purchase a Glockenstern which was added to the organ in 2021. In celebration of the congregations 30th anniversary, a set of Organ Chimes were added in October 2021, completing the initial design and plan for the organ when it was first built.
In 2020/2021, funds were donated to the Music Ministry in memory of Mr. Art Swett, former Lutheran educator, organist, and music director. It was decided to use these funds to purchase a Glockenstern which was added to the organ in 2021. In celebration of the congregations 30th anniversary, a set of Organ Chimes were added in October 2021, completing the initial design and plan for the organ when it was first built.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is open to High School and Adult singers. In addition to leading the congregation in song at the 8:30am service, our challenging repertoire spans the full spectrum of music history, from medieval Gregorian chant to the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods.
While the usual commitment to the choir is for the full choral season (September to Pentecost), extra singers in the congregation may join the choir during Christmastime.
While the usual commitment to the choir is for the full choral season (September to Pentecost), extra singers in the congregation may join the choir during Christmastime.
Other Ensembles
Abiding Savior enjoys the presence of a variety of amateur and retired professional musicians that serve as needed and as possible to decorate, enhance, and enrich our worship life. Ensembles such as the chime choir, Brass/Wind Ensemble, various string players and guest musicians of all kinds make appearances in worship and at special events during the church year.
Praise Ensemble
The Praise Ensemble is open to High School and Adult singers and instrumentalists and leads the congregation in song at the 11:00am service. This ensemble faithfully selects music that is theologically sound and appropriate for liturgical worship while maintaining a contemporary “sound” and stylistic flavor.
This ensemble serves in worship year-round, on a semi-rotational basis.
This ensemble serves in worship year-round, on a semi-rotational basis.
Choral Scholar Program
What is a Choral Scholar? A Choral Scholar is a young musician (currently enrolled in a program of study in music) who is employed to sing and participate in the choral aspect of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church’s Music Ministry and gain experience as an active chorister, while also exploring their potential as an aspiring music professional and/or church worker.
Choral Scholars would play a valuable role in the musical life of the church. Scholars will assist the Director of Music Ministry, provide vocal leadership for the congregation and church choir through solo and ensemble singing, while developing musical and leadership skills essential to their success as musicians in the future.
Choral Scholars would play a valuable role in the musical life of the church. Scholars will assist the Director of Music Ministry, provide vocal leadership for the congregation and church choir through solo and ensemble singing, while developing musical and leadership skills essential to their success as musicians in the future.
Each Scholar will benefit from this program in ways which include:
- Gaining practical experience by singing a regular schedule of services throughout the church year, both as a chorister and as a soloist
- Learning the rudiments of administrative duties for a church musician
- Discernment of career choice
- Learning new skills and improving their current skills in preparation for graduate school or career
- Being part of an established, strong, and diverse music ministry in a suburban church with a strong liturgical focus
Program Benefits to Abiding Savior include:
- Ongoing fulfillment of our mission to teach and nurture faithful young musicians who will possibly become future church musicians
- The ongoing security and stability of the choral program(s), and the enabling of all our faithful volunteer choristers by the presence of their trained voices and skilled ears amongst them in their sections.