Music

Praise Kids!
New Creation New Generation
Senior Choir
Bells Angels

  • 4K through Grade 2
    Thursdays from 4:00pm to 4:50pm

    This children’s ministry program has an emphasis on learning about God, faith, and Church through songs and movement. They gather together for fellowship time; story and learning and singing time. The youngest children must be in 4K to be in the choir.

    Directors: Jeff Reeves, Amy Dankwardt, and John R. Paradowski

    Download Praise Kids! Letter & Calendar here: Praise Kids! Spring 2024 Letter & Calendar
    Praise Kids! Registration Form, see below or click here: Praise Kids! 2023-2024 Registration Form

  • Grades 3 – 6
    Wednesdays from 5:45pm to 6:30pm

    This choir sings in worship and other special times. The choir helps to develop musicianship, knowledge of Church and Sing.

    Directors: Jeff Reeves & John R. Paradowski
    Accompanist: Heide Hughes
    Assistant: Dara Greene

    Download the New Creation Choir Letter & Calendar here: New Creation Spring 2024 Letter & Calendar
    New Creation Choir Registration Form, see below or click here: New Creation Choir 2023-2024 Registration Form

  • Grades 7 – 12
    Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 7:00pm

    This group of enthusiastic youth sings a variety of musical styles from contemporary to classical. The choir sings in worship throughout the year and are key leaders in special productions.

    Director: John R. Paradowski

    Download the New Generation Choir Letter & Calendar here: New Generation Spring 2024 Letter & Calendar

    New Generation Choir Registration Form, see below.

  • Adult
    Thursdays from 7:15pm to 8:45pm

    The Senior Choir’s repertoire includes a wide variety of forms and styles of Christian music. They rotate their singing schedules throughout the year so all can enjoy their message in song.

    Director: Dr. Alexa Doebele [Interim]
    Accompanist: John R. Paradowski

    Download the Senior Choir Schedule & Anthems here: Senior Choir Anthems Spring 2024

  • Grades 3 – 6
    Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 7:00pm

    This group will focus on learning the techniques of Handbell and Choir Chime ringing. They meet and ring for the Fall Semester only.

    Director: Jeff Reeves

    Download the Godsbells Letter & Calendar here: Godsbells Fall 2023 Letter & Calendar
    Godsbells Registration Form, see below or click here: Godsbells Registration Form 2023

  • Grades 7 – 12
    Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 7:45pm
    This youth handbell choir performs more complex music for handbells and plays in Sunday worship and other special times.

    They meet and ring for the Fall Semester only.

    Director: Jeff Reeves

    Download the Righteous Ringers Letter & Calendar here: Righteous Ringers Fall 2023 Letter & Calendar
    Righteous Ringers Registration Form, See below or click here: Righteous Ringers Registration Form 2023

  • Adult
    Tuesdays from 9:30am to 10:15am

    No experience needed to join this group and new ringers are always welcome! We learn music as we advance through the techniques of handbell ringing.

    Director: John R. Paradowski

    Download The EmBELLishments Letter & Calendar here: The Embellishments Spring Calendar 2024

  • Adult
    Thursday from 6:00pm to 7:15pm

    This ensemble of adult ringers plays advanced handbell repertoire. They have a fun time learning new music and enjoying ringing in worship.

    Download the Bells Angels Fall Letter & Schedule here: Bells Angels Spring 2024 Calendar

    Watch the Bells Angels ring for their Spring 2017 concert here: JuBELLation Handbell Concert

  • Adult
    Thursdays mornings year round

    This small group of daytime, advanced Ringers meets and plays in worship on a regular basis.

    Director: John R. Paradowski

  • This group of talented instrumentalists rehearses to play at various services throughout the year. They share their talents in leading the congregation in the hymns, choir anthems, and more.

    Director: John R. Paradowski

SCHLICKER PIPE ORGAN

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church
55 Ranks ~ 3135 Pipes ~ Installed 2001

Music is a servant of the Gospel and a principal means of worshiping God. Congregational song gathers the whole people to proclaim God’s mercy, to worship God, and to pray, in response to the readings of the day and in preparation for the Lord’s Supper.
– From “The Use of the Means of Grace,” Application 11A

The Pipe Organ project, begun in April 1993, had the goal of having an instrument worthy to proclaim the
Word of the Lord through music. The basic design of the organ is solidly rooted in the concept that the
main function of the organ is to support and lead congregational singing, music of the liturgy,
and accompany choirs and soloists.

On Sunday, May 4th, 1997, the congregation voted to accept a proposal for a pipe organ to be custom
built by the Schlicker Organ Co., of Buffalo, NY. The dedication concert took place on June 3, 2001.

Stop list here: Schlicker Stoplist

Organ Committee Members: Arvis Kraetsch, Curt M. Weber, Don Whitaker, Fred Heim,
John R. Paradowski, Minister of Music, and Scott Riedel, consultant.