Chamber Music Concert in the Chapel featuring SATORI –  Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 2 p.m.  No tickets needed.  Free-will offering. This concert will not be livestreamed.

Chamber music for flute, oboe, cello,
guitar and piano

Haydn — London Trio No. 1
Telemann — Triosonata No. 5 in a minor
Wm. Grant Still — Miniatures
Quantz — Triosonata in c minor
Madeline Dring — Trio
C. Caliendo — Gypsy Fandango

Central Moravian Church Music Brochure

Click on the link to view the 2023-2024 Music Brochure 507211-CMC

A Message from Our Minister of Music

“Music for many is one of the most powerful ways of communicating with our Creator. Whether it is in triumphant praise and worship of our sovereign God, in tender reflection and meditation of our Comforter and Sustainer, or in prayerful repentance to our Savior, music in worship draws us into the most intimate relationship with God. Hymns and favorite anthems connect us with memories of times and people of our past while transforming us with a peace that transcends any earthly experience, lifting us with a brilliant hope to the promise of a glorious eternal life.

Music at Central celebrates both a rich history and a dynamic ministry with talented singers, powerful congregational singing, magnificent pipe organs, and triumphant brass music. Our concert series encourages both members and friends of the congregation to celebrate the many God-given gifts of music, and our CD series enables worshippers and concert goers the opportunity to share our ministry of music with others. It is my prayer that as you experience music at Central Moravian Church, you will be blessed and will feel His presence in your life.”

– Rebecca Lepore, Minister of Music  (Click HERE to listen to Rebecca Lepore play her Moravian Medley.)

Music Book

More information about the history of music at Central is available in Praise and Thanksgiving: 275 Years of Music at Central Moravian Church edited by Rebecca Lepore. This book features photographs, memoirs, newspaper clippings, diary entries, letters, and a companion CD that covers cherished Advent, Christmas, Lenten, and Easter traditions; the musicians and musical instruments of Central Moravian Church; concerts, tours, recordings, and favorite hymns and worship services for the congregation’s first 275 years. Go to the Shop page for information about receiving this book at no cost!

Central CD Series

For information about ordering any of our five CDs of inspirational choir and organ music, please go to the Shop page.

Choirs

Central Moravian Church Choir

Through two and a half centuries, the Central Moravian Church Choir has established a reputation for glorifying God through the singing of classical, sacred, and specifically Moravian music. Steeped in a rich musical heritage, this non-auditioned choir, consisting of mostly volunteers sings for Sunday morning worship services, special services, and special concerts. Under the direction of Becky Lepore, they have recorded three CDs, “Christmas Eve at Central Moravian Church”, “Favorite Hymns of Central Moravian Church”, and “Be Still My Soul”, have been featured on NPR as a part of the Prairie Home Companion Christmas Show, and travel to other Moravian sites worldwide to share their ministry of music. Contact Becky Lepore by calling the Church Office, 610-866-5661. for information.

Chapel Choir

Organized in spring 2004, the Chapel Choir provides choral music for the 9:00 am worship service held in the Old Chapel of Central Moravian Church. The all-volunteer choir, eighteen voices strong, is directed by Richard Miller, organist of the 9:00 am service. The choir sings for worship one or two times a month from September through May. In addition, small ensembles, soloists, a men’s chorus and a women’s chorus, drawn from the Chapel Choir members, provide music for the 9:00 am service. Contact Richard Miller at the Church Office, 610-866-5661 for information.

Soprano/Alto Choir and Tenor/Bass Choir

Throughout the year, ensembles organized by voice part provide special music. Rehearsals are minimal and informal. Contact Rebecca Lepore at the Church Office, 610-866-5661 for information

Ensembles

Central Brass Ensemble

(This ensemble is temporarily on hold due to COVID-19.) Continuing a long tradition of instrumental musicians adding to the richness of our worship, this spirited ensemble includes brass players of all ages, both friends and members of the congregation. They play chorales, hymn accompaniments, and join the organ for postludes in the Sanctuary on the second Sunday of the month, September through June. They also occasionally play for events in Historic Bethlehem. To get involved, contact Director Caitlin Heckman, 610-393-9891, caitlin.g.heckman@gmail.com.

Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir

Playing for memorial and worship services throughout the year, the Bethlehem Area Moravian ensemble under the direction of Don Kemmerer was founded in 1754 and is comprised of Lehigh Valley trombonists. Contact Becky Lepore at the Church Office, 610-866-5661, for information.

Sanctuary Organ: 1954 Möller Opus 8650

(Restored in 2007 by Emery Brothers with digital enhancements by the Walker Technical Company.)

4 Manuals, 109 Ranks, 3057 Pipes

Click here for the specifications for the sanctuary organ

Chapel Organ: 2013

3 Manuals, 3 ranks of pipes, 46 ranks of Walker digital stops

Kleiner Saal Organ: 1857 Erben

1 Manual, 6 Ranks

A History of Moravian Music

When the Moravians settled in Bethlehem in 1742, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf carefully chose the inhabitants of this new community according to their skills so they could contribute to the mission work of this new village. Therefore, it was not accidental that many of the leaders, artisans and workers were also musicians. The first pipe organ of Bethlehem was installed in 1746, a small orchestra was already founded in 1748, and in 1754, a complete choir of trombones (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) was sent to the new colony, and the Moravian Trombone Choir was created. This unique ensemble still performs regularly and can be seen at least once every month playing hymn chorales from the belfry of Central Moravian Church.

One of the traditions that began with Count Zinzendorf was that of the Singstunde or a song service, where the pastor would begin singing various hymns, and the sermon was presented through the texts of the hymns. For the organist, it meant that 400 hymns had to be memorized and readily transposed into whatever key the pastor began singing.

Although most Moravian music was religious in nature, there were lighter moments as evidenced by the presence of the early 19th century Moravian Water Music. Although no longer continued, for many years, on Whit Monday, a large flat-bottomed boat would sail down the then-peaceful Lehigh River. On this boat would be a group of five or six musicians (generally two clarinets, two French horns, and two bassoons) who would serenade the hundreds of listeners on the banks of the Lehigh with water music composed by the Moravian composer and virtuosi violinist, David Moritz Michael.

Because of the close connection of early American Moravians to their European roots, the Moravians had access to contemporary music being composed in Europe. Haydn’s “The Creation” was performed for the first time in the United States in the Sanctuary of Central Moravian Church in 1811, and the first complete performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor was presented at Central in 1900, thus giving Central Moravian Church status as a National Landmark of Music.

If you are interested in more information about Moravian Music, please contact the Moravian Music Foundation at www.moravianmusic.org.