Music      

Music is a special part of every worship service at St. Luke's.

Meet our Director of Music Boyd Ahrens  I took my first piano lesson by accident.  My older brother was supposed to have a lesson on a Saturday morning, but he refused to go.  My mom knew she would have to pay for the lesson, so she looked at me and said... "You go."  I was a little young, but took to it, and have enjoyed playing the piano on many occasions along the way. When I was fourteen I bought bits and pieces of a pipe organ with money from a paper route.  During my high school and college years, I reassembled it in the basement of my parents home.  A former church organ in a basement could make some noise!  The neighbors knew when I was playing it, and it gave the house a good shake, too!  Other musical interests are:  player pianos and pump organs; I played clarinet and oboe in band; and in recent years I have taken up the accordian. I took organ lessons in high school and college.  After college, I taught school and was director of music at a church in Ohio.  From there I went to Minnesota a few years, and, for a while, served as choir director at two churches at the same time.  Sunday mornings sometimes meant playing three church services! I came to Kansas City in 1979 and have been organist/choir director at a number of churches.  I enjoy substitute organ playing, and have filled in at quite a few churches around the city through the years.  Some Sunday mornings I've played at two different churches. St. Luke's has been very good to me and my wife, Louise, since I started there in February, 2000.  I am the organist and direct the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir.  I'm not all music.  By day I am a licensed real estate appraiser.  I have been in this profession for twenty-six years.  I like photography, travel, house rehab, bike riding, and am a pretty good cook.  I am known for a good sense of humor.  When the handbells recently played a piece of Handel's "Water Music", we had a fountain set up with splashing water in the sanctuary.  When people ask my wife what it is like living with a joking man, her typical response is to roll her eyes and say "I never know what to expect."  I like eventful days!

Chancel Choir St. Luke's Chancel Choir meets for rehearsal every Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm.  Rehearsals are full of good music and fun!  The choir sings every Sunday from Labor Day through Memorial Day.  St. Luke's has an extensive library of sacred music and the choir enjoys singing old favorites as well as new music.  The choir always sings with enthusiasm and joy and provides a very special anthem each week.  If you enjoy singing and would like to join the choir, new members are always welcome.  For more information, contact Boyd Ahrens or email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org.

Handbell Choir St. Luke's Handbell Choir meets every Wednesday at 6:30 pm.  The handbell choir plays every four to five weeks from Labor Day until Memorial Day.  St. Luke's has five octaves of handbells and two octaves of handchimes.  The bell ringers enjoy playing arrangements written for the entire bell choir, hymn and Chancel Choir accompaniments, and solo and small group numbers.  The handbell choir is always interested in having new ringers join them.  If you can count and are interersted in playing, contact Boyd Ahrens or email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org.

Children's Choir St. Luke's Children's Choir meets for rehearsal every Sunday at 11:30 am.  Julie Bernard directs and accompanies the choir.  The Children's Choir sings one Sunday every month  except in the summer.  The children enjoy learning lots of fun Christian songs and often use motions along with their voices to share their message.  The congregation is always enthusiastic when the children share their talents!  New children are always welcome!

Carol Lyon provides piano accompaniment for hymns and piano/organ duets.   St. Luke's Polka Band provides special music for "Polka Sunday". Polka Sunday is an annual event held once each summer during the Sunday morning worship service. Watch for information on Polka Sunday 2009!    Crescendo the Clown (aka Boyd Ahrens) at the console of St. Luke's pipe organ.   Boyd Ahrens at the console of the Community of Christ Temple organ. St. Luke's Music Banner