"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" 

PSALM 98:4

30th season | 2021-2022

music at st. Paul's

Music at St. Paul's is a vital, self-sustaining component of our congregation's music ministry. Currently in its 30th season, this annual series of special services and musical events brings to St. Paul's guest ensembles and artists who, through words and music, proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This music series benefits the members of St. Paul's and serves as an outreach to the greater St. Louis community and beyond. In addition, Music at St. Paul's sponsors the music for some of the festival services in our congregation's regular worship life and provides enrichment for the overall music ministry of our parish.

  • Click here to support Music at St. Paul's with your donation online
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  • Downloadable 2021-2022 Season Poster here


Offerings during this season include:

  • SEPTEMBER 2021: Festival of Sacred Music in Honor of Dr. Mark Bender
    Video  Watch concert recording
    Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s - features works composed by Dr. Bender and the debut of a hymn arrangement of "Let us Ever Walk With Jesus," commissioned in honor of his retirement
    Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

  • OCTOBER 2021: Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony
    Dr. Richard Fischer, Conductor
    Friday, October 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

  • NOVEMBER 2021: American Kantorei
    Dr. Maurice Boyer, Music Director
    Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

  • DECEMBER 2021: A Service of Sacred Music for the Time of Christmas
    Video  Watch music service
    Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s
    Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

  • FEBRUARY 2022: Organ Concert
    Mr. Nicholas Quardokus, Canon Organist and Choirmaster, Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston
    Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

  • MAY 2022: American Kantorei
    Dr. Maurice Boyer, Music Director
    Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.

  • MAY 2022: The Festival of the Ascension of Our Lord
    Video  Watch Ascension service
    Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s
    Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Service

music opportunities

Music serves a vital role in the worship life of St. Paul's. A number of opportunities are provided for people to use their talents in proclaiming the Gospel through music. Prayerfully consider serving this season in one or more of the following music ensembles


For more information, contact St. Paul's Kantor, Matt Gerhardt, or those listed as directors below: Worship Team Director, Whitney Wade, and Handbells Director, Carol Petering. Click the addme icon to read more about each choir.

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Men and women, high school to adult
    • Traditional, liturgical music, from simple unison to more complex literature
    • Rehearsals: In the Bender Music Room, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., late August through May

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Men, high school to adult
    • Sings several times each year
    • Rehearsals: two or three weeks before singing; contact the director for dates and times

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Women, high school to adult
    • Sings several times each year
    • Rehearsals: two or three weeks before singing; contact the director for dates and times

  • Director: Carol Petering

    • Men and women, high school to adult
    • Some prior music reading ability required
    • Rehearsals: Church balcony

  • Director: Carol Petering

    • Adult women
    • Some prior music reading ability required
    • Rehearsals: Church balcony

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Experienced instrumentalists, high school to adult
    • Brass, percussion, strings, woodwind
    • Rehearsals: Scheduled as needed

  • Director: Whitney Wade

    • Participate in our Living Stone service on Sunday mornings at 10:45am
    • Experienced instrumentalists & singers, high school to adult
    • Guitars, drums, bass, horns, strings, keyboards, woodwinds, and voices

radio interviews

with St. Paul's Music ministry

JANUARY 26, 2022 BROADCAST: Listen here

Kantor Gerhardt and St. Paul's Lutheran School students were interviewed during National Lutheran Schools Week about the importance of music ministry in our schools today. Our students shared in their own words about the blessings of Lutheran education.


JULY 29, 2021 BROADCAST: Listen here

Listen as Matt Gerhardt, St. Paul's Kantor, talks about the music of J. S. Bach, its treatment in worship, and the legacy of music education in our schools, during "Bach Week" on KFUO Radio's Coffee Hour, hosted by Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth.


SEPT. 25, 2020 BROADCAST: Listen here

Mr. Matthew Gerhardt, St. Paul’s Kantor, and the Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker talked with KFUO Radio Coffee Hour hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth about Music at St. Paul's 2020-2021 season-opening hymn festival. The pair discussed who Paul Gerhardt was and what his life was like, the influences on his hymn writing, and the wonderful hymnody presented and sung at St. Paul's in September. 


DEC. 3, 2019 BROADCAST: Listen here

Dr. Mark Bender, St. Paul's Minister of Music, and Matt Gerhart, then Associate Minister of Music, visited the KFUO 850AM studios as guests on The Coffee Hour show, with hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth, during the season of Advent. They discussed the Service of Sacred Music for the Time of Christmas, including the meaningfulness of the choral selections, and the Bible passages and liturgy behind them.