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Music Ministry
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Richard Lakey has been
the Director of Music and organist at St. Mark's since 1977, as well
as instructor of organ and piano at Lycoming College, and
accompanist for the Lycoming College Choir. He is a graduate of
Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., (B.M. in Church
Music), and Indiana University in Pennsylvania (M.M.Ed.). Dick leads
the choir and congregation in song every Sunday, and also presents
several concerts each year, including the annual duo organ
Several opportunities
for regular musical participation in the worship services are
available to our families. The Contemporary Choir, Senior Choir, the
Kantorei, the Our services are
enhanced by the participation of other local musical talent. In
recent years the Lycoming
At St. Mark’s music is a part of our worship, our Youth and Family Ministry and our social life. Through our music we learn, we praise and we celebrate. |
Since the time of Martin
Luther, the Lutheran Church has been known as "the singing church."
At St. Mark's, we proudly embrace Luther's example in our worship
services and with special musical events throughout the year. We
express our faith through hymns and choral works, with instrumental
music and in stage productions. Music is the heart and soul of St.
Mark’s - and each member of the congregation plays a role in this
expression of our faith through music.
The core of the
ministry of music at St. Mark’s is the magnificent pipe organ
located in the nave of the church. The organ, built by the M. P.
Moller Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, contains 2692 pipes that are
given voice by air blown into large reservoirs by an electric blower
located in the basement of the church. Because of the design of the
nave and natural materials used, the acoustics for music are superb.
Thus, the organ in its fine acoustical setting pours forth its notes 
with great brilliance and majesty.
concerts, whose
proceeds have gone to the two dialysis centers in Williamsport, and
an Independence Day concert of patriotic music.
Adult Handbell Choir, the Family Handbell Choir, and the Recorder
Group meet regularly and present the fruits of their hard work
frequently during Sunday services. Additionally, many talented
members of the congregation are called upon through the year as
soloists and instrumentalists.
College Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and Touring
Choir have performed sacred pieces during church services. The
Williamsport Civic Chorus, The Suzuki Violin students of Pat Thayer
and The Williamsport Music Club have also performed during services
and in concerts at St. Mark’s.
In recent years, several full scale musical
productions have been undertaken by the young people of St. Mark’s,
with vocal assistance from their parents and others. Most recently,
“In the Beginning...”, a musical production based on the Creation,
was performed for a large crowd at a 
Sunday dinner theater, after a week of “choir camp.” Christmas Eve
services were enlivened with the pageant, “Simple Gifts of
Christmas." “The Seeds That Grew to be a Hundred” was also preformed
for a large crowd in Fellowship Hall.