The Music Ministry
at
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
"Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise
Him with lute and harp!" - Psalm 150
St. Matthew's Choir
The choir leads our worship service in the Sanctuary during our 9:45 a.m. service on Sunday mornings and at special services throughout the year. This choir is a non-auditioned group that enjoys a wide variety of musical styles. The adult choir here at St. Matthew currently consists of 17 singers, but is always looking for new members. We begin singing the first Sunday after Labor Day and end our season the first Sunday after Memorial Day weekend. The choir rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The first hour is when the entire choir rehearses and the last half an hour is for sectional work. The choir is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining the choir at St. Matthew, contact our director Keith Kostiuk.
The Walkers
The Walkers are a very talented group of singers who also just happen to be brother and sisters. Krista, George, and Sarah provide anthems during the summer months when the choir is not singing as well as select times during the year. The Walkers bring a special ministry to the church through their music. Their anthems take on a more contemporary feeling and the accompaniment for the anthems is played on guitar by these talented musicians. On occasion you will find Krista or Sarah picking up a mandolin or banjo to add something special to the anthem. The faces of the congregation light up when these fine young musicians begin to sing on Sunday morning. The Walkers have also subbed for the organist when he was not able to be at the service. On those days, the traditional liturgy takes on a more contemporary feel.
The Director
Keith Kostiuk has been the choir director and organist at St. Matthew since August 2007. Prior to his appointment at St. Matthew, he held positions of choir director/organist at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg and he was also co-organist at First Presbyterian Church, Bloomsburg. Keith is an instrumental music teacher for the middle and elementary schools in the Bloomsburg Area School District. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University where he studied organ with Ms. June Miller. He also studied organ with Dr. Susan Hegberg at Susquehanna University. Keith is also member of the American Guild of Organist, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton chapter.
"Praise Him with strings and pipe!" ~ Psalm 150
The Pipe Organ
The pipe organ here at St. Matthew Lutheran Church is a two manual with pedal pipe organ. The organ dates back to 1927. The organ is relatively small compared to other organs in the area, but supports the congregational singing very well. The organ is the primary instrument for accompanying the liturgy and preludes. The organ has 13 ranks of pipes and a two octave chime on it. It is our hope to begin expanding this organ to incorporate a reed stop or two, and some higher pitched stops in the years to come.
Pictures top row from left: The Organ Console, Exstention of the Pedal 4" Flute, Great Organ;
Bottom row from left: Organ Chimes, Swell Organ with Great 8' Principal in the background, Pedal 16' Gedeckt.
The Grand Piano
St. Matthew Lutheran Church also has a 5 foot Yamaha grand piano in the front of the Sanctuary. The piano is the main instrument used to accompany the choir anthems. It is also used for select preludes throughout the year and has been used on a hymn or two.