Emmanuel is blessed by a tradition of musical excellence dating from the mid-19th Century, fine instruments and dedicated musicians.
The Chancel Choir is made up of some 25 volunteers who lead worship at the Principal Sunday service from late August until mid-June. They rehearse Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and on Sundays at 9:30 AM. For Christmas and Easter, they also offer more lengthy programs before the start of the Festival Eucharists. Their music ranges from early and traditional offerings to contemporary, and they have been known to sing in Latin, Russian and Zulu.
The Organ. The current organ at Emmanuel is a 1984 rebuild of a 1952 M. P. Mohler instrument that is regularly upgraded by the Steiner-Murphy Pipe Organ Co. of Cumberland. It has 21 ranks, consisting of Great and Swell divisions at the back of the Church and a Chancel division at the front. In 2003, a trumpette en chamade was added as part of the Parish Bicentennial.
Instrumental Music. The Emmanuel Brass is present on Christmas and Easter and other special occasion offering preludes and postludes as well as accompanying hymns.
The Professionals. The Music Director and Choirmaster is Dr. Scott Rieker, also the Director of Choral Activities and Choral Music Education at Frostburg State University. Our organist is Mark W. Steiner, who is also the owner of the Steiner-Murphy Organ Company. The Assisting Organist is Harold Sherman of Hyndman, PA.
Hand Bell Choir. There is an active Bell Choir rehearsing regularly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30. The Bell Choir plays on selected Sundays during the Church Year.
Sacred Music Interns. Each semester, four music interns from Frostburg University join us for Sunday music and special music programs. They add their musical talents and learn about Sacred Music at Emmanuel.