Scott G. Fredericks, Minister of Music
email: scottfred@stmattlutheran.org

Scott G. Fredericks has been the Minister of Music at St. Matthew Lutheran Church since 1980. He is a 1980 graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and has also studied at the Royal School of Church Music in England.

As Minister of Music, Scott is the director of the Adult Choir, the Men’s Chorus, the Preschool Choir (ages 3, 4, 5 & kindergarten), the Primary Choir (grades 1 and 2), the Junior Choir (grades 3, 4, 5, & 6), the Spirit Singers (women in 7-12th grade), the Jubilation Ringers (a four-in-hand handbell ensemble), the St. Matthew Ringers and the Praise Singers and Instrumentalists. He oversees the extensive Mini-Ministers Puppet Ministry, which is under the direction of music staff member, Deb Smith. Scott encourages and works with many of the St. Matthew students in their vocal pursuits, and features our young instrumentalists and vocalists in worship and in concert.  He also oversees the Worship/Music Committee and the Rohrbaugh Music Scholarship Committee (a scholarship for St. Matthew students pursuing music in their college studies or attending high school summer music camps).

In addition to being the director at St. Matthew, Scott also coordinates and is responsible for the music for all of the services held at the church. The famous St. Matthew Austin organ is one of the 10 largest pipe organs in the world with 14,581 pipes, and Scott is responsible for the organ music for worship, weddings, and funerals. (Information about our organ can be found on this website).

Scott serves as the administrator of the acclaimed St. Matthew Concert Series which brings fine talent from across the world. The Concert Series is one of the most varied and well attended community music programs in the region.

Scott presents numerous concerts and tours of the St. Matthew organ throughout the year to bus loads of senior groups, retirement homes, church groups, music societies, school classes, and youth groups. He has also hosted programs for the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, and even the Ambassadors and wives from Washington, DC.  Each December, Scott presents Christmas concerts featuring our instruments, carol singing, vocal solos, plus guest musicians. These concerts draw thousands of people to St. Matthew to enjoy the beautiful and meaningful music of Christmas.  Tickets for these concerts are by reservation through the church office.

Scott has been featured on Public Radio on the popular Desert Island Disc program, and has been seen on over a dozen regional television holiday broadcasts and interviews.  He has recorded a CD entitled “By Request,” which features the St. Matthew organ, harpsichord, and 198-bell Maas Rowe carillon (bell system). The recording is available from the church office.

Deb Smith, Puppet Ministries

Deb Smith holds a B.S. in Music Education from Millersville University.  She has taught Vocal Music at the Middle School and High School for the past 23 years.  Her duties involve show choir, steel pan ensemble, handbells, spring play, spring musical, and many other ensembles.  Deb has led our fine puppet team for a number of years.