The St. Matthew Lutheran Church Concert Series will present organist Monte Maxwell in concert on Sunday, April 7 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Maxwell is the Organist at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. Free tickets are required for admission and can be ordered by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: April Concert, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 W. Chestnut St., Hanover, PA 17331. A free-will offering will be taken to assist with the concert costs. Please note the number of tickets desired. The doors open at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow the program. The program will feature classics such as: Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in D Major", Saint-Saens "The Swan", Barber's "Adagio for Strings", Sowerby's "Pageant" plus hymn based songs, a medley from "The Sound of Music", "Stars and Stripes Forever", among others.

Monte Maxwell, Chapel Organist, Director of Chapel Music and the Midshipmen Symphony Orchestra, began his service at the United States Naval Academy in 1997. Mr. Maxwell, a native of San Angelo, Texas, earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, studying with Emmet G. Smith. He was then invited to study at the Curtis Institute of Music with John Weaver where he received an Artist Diploma, Curtis' highest degree. Mr. Maxwell earned his Master of Music Degree from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, also studying with John Weaver. While studying in Philadelphia, Mr. Maxwell was an Associate Organist at the John Wanamaker Store, playing the famed six-manual organ, the largest playing organ in the world.

At the Naval Academy, Mr. Maxwell serves as the principal organist for the Protestant and Catholic services as well as playing for weddings, memorial services, funerals and performances throughout the year. He commands the five-manual, 268-rank organ in the main chapel, which has recently undergone substantial enhancement under his direction and design. His additional responsibilities include working with the Protestant and Catholic Chapel Choirs, the Protestant Chapel Chorale, the Men's and Women's Glee Clubs, and conducting the annual winter musical theater productions as well as the Naval Academy Midshipmen Symphony Orchestra. He oversees the annual Chapel Organ Concert series which features guest performing artists from across the United States. He has also served as the Chairman of the Naval Academy Music Department and Director of Instrumental Activities.

Mr. Maxwell's annual All Saints' Day Organ Concert has become a staple of the Naval Academy and greater Annapolis cultural community. The standing-room-only event drew some 3,000 people into the Naval Academy Chapel in 1998, breaking all records in attendance for any event throughout the Chapel's history. Due to the popularity of this event, the Academy now offers two ticketed performances of this concert each year. He has performed in the United States, South America, Eastern and Western Europe, and Canada, and is an active member of the American Guild of Organists.

The St. Matthew Lutheran Church Austin organ is one of the 10 largest pipe organs in the world with 14,470 pipes, 238 ranks and 335 drawknobs. The organ includes a 198-bell carillon system. The organ has recently had a $1.5 million renovation. A full stop list and description of the organ can be found on the church website.