True to the Lutheran tradition, music is a vital component of worship at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, an expression of beauty and praise and a means of congregational participation. Hymns are selected to complement the readings of the day.  They may be Lutheran chorales, beloved hymns from other European countries or the African-American tradition, songs of faith from Latin America or Africa, or early American or contemporary hymns. The senior choir supports congregational singing and supplies musical elements of the liturgy in addition to singing two anthems during the service.  The music is usually classical but may also be drawn from other cultures and styles. A few choir members are professional musicians, while most are lay people with a love of music.  Anyone who likes to sing and can sing in parts is invited to join. The senior choir sings at Sunday morning worship and special worship services from September through May.  It rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. This choir helps youth in grades 3 - 7 improve their musical skills.  The choir sings on occasion during Sunday worship and rehearses Wednesdays 6:25 – 7:10 p.m. from September through Easter. The handbell choir includes adults and youth.  It rings particularly on festival Sundays and rehearses on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. from fall through Easter. Worship at Redeemer is supported by the rich tones of the Martin Ott pipe organ, dedicated in 1991.  It provides a broad spectrum of sound for classical and contemporary music. In addition to organ and piano, many instruments, from wind, string and brass to African and Latin American percussion instruments, are incorporated into music for Sunday morning worship.  A variety of instruments make up a large Easter orchestra for Easter Sunday.  We encourage interested instrumentalists to share their skills on Easter or throughout the year. This Sunday afternoon concert series is in its fourteenth season.  Each season it presents four concerts by professionally recognized artists and ensembles.  The concerts vary in content and have included organ and vocal music, instrumental ensembles, jazz ensembles, youth choirs, and instrumental groups from other parts of the world. Concerts are usually followed by the chanted service of prayer at the end of the day, or compline.  A reception follows all concerts.  They are open to the public, and a freewill offering is received to support the concert series. Kay Sandeen is an accomplished organist, choir director, soloist, and violinist.  She has sung with the Dale Warland Singers and the Gregorian Singers and is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Choristers Guild.  She is founder of Nordiska Vänner, a Scandinavian musical ensemble.