Music Program 

Music has always held a prominent place in the Lutheran worship tradition.  Our music and hymnody seeks as its primary goal the glorification of God.

Zion has two vocal choirs and one handbell ensemble forming the core of our music ministry.  Leading our weekly worship services from September thru the end of  May is our adult Gethsemane Choir.  The Good Shepherd Choir is a group for children in grades 1 thru 6 and generally sings approximately 4-5 times per year.

Zion’s music ministry is blessed with a three-octave set of Schulmerich handbells. 

David A. Nicholson serves as Zion’s Director of Music.  

Berkshire Organ

The organ of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was built by the Berkshire Organ Company in 1974 and is a two manual with pedals instrument.  The manual naturals are made of Rosewood and the sharps of maple.  The pedal naturals are maple with black sharps.  There are a total of 1,316 pipes comprising the 23 ranks of pipes controlled by 17 stops within the 3 divisions of the instrument. 

Zion’s instrument incorporates into the facade rebuilt and revoiced solid copper 16’ Principal pipes from the 1965 Hillgreen-Lane organ, preserving the organ’s appearance from that period.   

The tonal design is based on the traditional North-German “werk-prinzip” structure employed by the early German Lutherans for the accompaniment of hymn-singing which had been introduced to the Mass by Martin Luther in the 16^th century.  The organ also includes softer voiced pipes, such as strings, and pipes enclosed in a case with controllable shutters to allow the playing of music of the 19^th and 20^th centuries as well.