The congregation’s singing voice is its principal musical instrument.
We sing in many styles, from Latin chant to German chorale, from African-American spirituals to Latin American folk melodies. We use the hymns and liturgies of Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) as our primary source.
While guest musicians often are featured on trumpet or oboe or in a string ensemble, our main accompaniment is a majestic Schlicker pipe organ. An accomplished choir, the Cantorei, is the parish’s main vocal ensemble. A children’s choir sings occasionally.
Music is in our bones at Mount Olive.
- Our musical heritage runs back to the Reformation, when Lutheran churches began to celebrate the Mass in the vernacular and hymns were added. Johann Sebastian Bach and Michael Praetorius were early Lutheran composers, and over the centuries, no Christian tradition has contributed more to choral music.
- Paul Manz (1919–2009), a giant among American composers for choir and organ, served as Mount Olive’s principal musician from 1946 to 1983. He continues to influence our musical life.
