THE
HISTORY OF
ST.
JOHN’S
MUSIC
MINISTRY
In
the beginning of the musical history of St. John’s there was but one voice who
led the congregation in singing the praises of the Lord. He was one of the
charter members of the congregation, Mr. Daniel Mueller. In 1885, two years
after the original log church was renovated, an organ was purchased. The first
organist was Mr. Gotthold Axt. In 1895, Mr. Theodore Beck “became the organist
and played with great delight for 27 years.” In April of 1922 Mr. Beck asked
to be relieved as organist and a pupil of his, Mr. Richard Ritterbusch, who was
17 at the time, became the organist.
In
the early 1920s, while Henry Harting was pastor, the choir consisted of members
of the Young People’s Society. Pastor Harting was the director and was
assisted by Teacher Herber from Trinity in St. Louis. Between the years 1931 and
1933 St. John’s teacher, Elmer Bauer, directed the choir. Following Mr. Bauer,
Mr. William Davider, a member of the congregation, served as director. There
were a few years that St. John’s did not have a choir, but in 1956 Teacher
Leroy Frey organized a choir that has been singing the praises of the Lord ever
since. From 1959-1961 Mr. Ronald Hilmer, a teacher at St. John’s and the
grandson of former Pastor George Hilmer, directed the choir.
In
1961 Mr. Elmer Dautenhahn accepted a call as teacher, choir director and
organist. Sharon Barner and Dorothy Meyr assisted with organ duties. On May 1,
1967 Mr. Richard Ritterbusch was honored for 45 years of faithful service. He
continued to help with the responsibility of playing the organ and shared these
responsibilities with called teachers until 1971. During the summer of 1971,
Cathy Coleman (Boemler), a 16-year-old high school student from Festus, played
the organ for the Saturday night service.
When
Mr. Dautenhahn retired in 1987, Mrs. Meyr became the organist until 1990 when
Ms. Mary Feldt was called as teacher and Music Director. She introduced
handbells to St. John’s. After Ms. Feldt left in 1993, Ms. Karen Stephenson
became Music Director. When Ms. Strephenson left in January 1996 Mr. Vernon
Saunchegrow, Jr. served as interim director.
In
the Fall of 1996, Mrs. Margaret “Dee Dee” Wille was called as Music
Director. In addition to her church duties she taught general music, handbells
and tone chimes to the day school children. In 2000 Mrs. Wille followed her
husband, St. John’s Principal Ron Wille, to his call in Watertown, Wisconsin.
Mr. Burnell L. Hackman was called as the Director of Music Ministry in November of 2000. Under his leadership the Adults have the opportunity to sing in one of two choirs, a high school choir was added, the handbell choir continues to improve and an extensive instrumental program has been instituted. Mrs. Cathy Boemler serves as accompanist for the 8:00 am Choir Mr. Vernon Saunchegrow, Jr. serves as accompanist for the 10:30 am Choir and Orchestra. They both serve as substitute organists along with Mr. Clarence Berndt.
When
the brick church was built in 1929, a Hinners organ was purchased. In 1960 the
Haase Organ Company made some minor renovations and installed a new rectifier.
In 1987 an Allen Digital Computer organ was purchased. A Kurzweil Keyboard was
purchased in November 1994 for the 9:30 Sunday Praise and Worship Service.
Guitars and drums are also used at this Contemporary Service. A Yamaha
Clavinova, a Yamaha piano, a bass guitar and timpani were purchased in 2001.
The Music Ministry expanded greatly with the dedication of a new Sanctuary. A Johannus Organ, reputed to be one of the largest instruments in the midwest was dedicated in February of 2004 by Dr. Rudolf Zuiderveld, Professor of Music at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. A Steinway Concert grand piano was also secured for use in the new Sanctuary. Because of the great acoustics in the Sanctuary many groups including the Gateway Ringers, The Choir of Lutheran High School South, Alleluia Ringers of Concordia University - Wisconsin. Fox High School Concert Band and Choir and Racine, Wisconsin Lutheran High School Choir and handbells have presented concerts here.
The Celebration Series is a series of sacred concerts held throughout the year. The Festival Christmas Concert always held the Sunday before Christmas is one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Jefferson County. Because of the Gala Christmas Concert immense popularity the concert will be presented on Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 2008. Free tickets to the concert will be available beginning November 17, 2008 .
All
praise and glory be to God the Father for the organists, directors, singers,
ringers and instrumentalists who have given of their time and talents through
the gift of music. The members of St. John’s are to be thanked for their
support of the music ministry.
May
God continue to bless St. John’s Music Ministry!
Portions
taken from the 150th Anniversary History booklet.
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