[Home]

Music Ministry

Music has always had an important place in Lutheran worship. From the German chorales to contemporary hymnody, to the addition of hymns from various cultures, Lutherans have always held to the motto: “Bis orat, qui contat.”  (“Those who sing pray twice.”).  Music enlivens our worship and allows the emotions and thoughts of our hearts to be expressed as our offering to God.  We use a variety of musical settings in our Sunday Eucharists, as well as a wide range of hymns.  Instrumental accompaniment also enhances our music at our festival celebrations.  

Salem is a singing congregation! We have choir opportunities for all ages. 

During the summer, the Adult Choir and the Adult Handbell Choir will alternate rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.  The Adult Choir will be meeting on June 16, 30, July 14, 28, August 4, and 18.  The Adult Handbells will ring on June 9, 23, July 7, 21, August 11 and 15. 

In September the regular rehearsal for the Adult Handbell Choir will resume at 7:15 p.m on Mondays beginning on September 11.  On September 13, the Adult Choir will resume regular rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

A special Parents Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 6, following the 11:00 a.m. service regarding summer music plans, possibilities for the Salem Music Kidz and the overall music ministry with children and youth.  All parents of children, ages 6 through 17 are welcome and encouraged to attend.

During the summer and at various times throughout the year, special ensembles accompany our worship liturgy.  We are always looking for musicians with somewhat advanced skill level to be a part of our special music.  If you are interested in participating in an ensemble, please contact Keith Weber.

 

 

Music Staff:

 

Keith Weber, choral and orchestral conductor, vocal coach, choral clinician, organist, pianist, harpsichordist and collaborator is widely known for his musical versatility and excellence.  Keith is currently serving as our Director of Music and Organist.

 

A native of western Pennsylvania, he holds a B.M., cum laude, in Organ Performance from Southern Methodist University, an M.M. also from SMU and an M.S.M. from Perkins School of Theology. 

 

He was Director of Music at St. Phillip Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX and at Christ Church in Tyler, TX.  He has served as Chair of Music Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, is Past Dean of the East Texas Chapter, American Guild of Organist and has served on the Board of Directors of the Tyler Civic Chorale.  As a recital collaborator and accompanist, Keith has worked with singers and instrumentalist across the United States. 

 

As an organist, Keith won the Dora Poteet Barclay Award (Outstanding Undergraduate, SMU), the Roy and Sue Johnson Award (Outstanding Senior, SMU), and 1982 B'nai B'rith Music Scholarship, the Ninth Annual Organ Competition of the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, the 1991 Region VII National Young Artists' Playing Competition of the American Guild of Organists, was named finalist of the 1992 Spivey International Organ Competition and is widely known for his engaging organ recital programming.  He served as Interim Organist at The Myerson Symphony Center in Dallas, TX.

 

As a pianist, Keith made his formal orchestral debut in 1997 with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Kate Tamarkin, conducting, and as keyboardist-of-all-kinds is a frequent guest artist with Ars Lyrica Houston, Mercury Baroque, Musiqa, Cantare, The Victoria Bach Festival and the International Festival-Institute at Round, Top, TX.  Keith was named keyboardist of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra for the 2002-2003 season.

 

Keith is Artistic Director of Grace Song, Inc., a wide-ranging, non-profit production company.