Free Concert will Feature 6,000-pipe organ at First Baptist of D.C. |Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4pm
Concert organist Adam Brakel
Concert organist Adam Brakel will perform a free recital in tribute to Dr. Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber, who is retiring after 22 years as organist and choirmaster at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
The recital is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, 1328 16th St. NW.
Dr. Schreiber became the music leader at First Baptist in 2000 after “retiring” from National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., where he served 40 years as music minister.
During his tenure at First Baptist, Dr. Schreiber added depth and breadth to the music and worship ministries. He led the selection and acquisition of two iconic instruments for the church: a nine-foot Steinway concert grand piano in 2007 and, in 2012, the five-manual Austin organ with more than 6,000 pipes and trumpets in four chambers.
Brakel performed an inaugural concert on the organ in 2015 and returns to honor Dr. Schreiber.
“Lon is an unbelievably special person who is a mentor and friend,” Brakel said. “I will always be honored and forever thankful for his support, but more importantly, for his inspiration in over six decades of church music in Washington, D.C.
“One of the many accomplishments in Lon’s abundant legacy includes two major 5-manual pipe organ installations. which continue to shape the future of the organ and church music environment,” Brakel continued. “He will be long commended as one of the unforgettable staples and legends in D.C. and abroad. His gift and inspiration will always be cherished.”
Brakel’s performance highlights include the complete works of César Franck, and, most notably, the Six Etudes of Jeanne Demessieux, of which Brakel is one of the few organists in the world to have performed and recorded in its entirety. In addition to his concert career, Brakel is Director of Music for the Diocese of Orlando, Fla., and St. James Cathedral.
Dr. Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber
Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber
Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber has served as a pastoral musician in Washington, D.C., for more than sixty-two years. In an age where the average church musician tenure is three years, his long service among two congregations in sacred music is celebrated by many including The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., National City Christian Church, the greater Washington, D.C. music community, and the hundreds of musicians Schreiber has supported and encouraged throughout the years.
After graduating from Texas Christian University with an undergraduate degree in music and Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a Master’s degree in Church Music and Composition, Dr. Schreiber became Minister of Music at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He served National City for forty years.
While at National City, Dr. Schreiber, the National City choir and soprano Leontyne Price provided music in January 1973 for the state funeral of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had attended services at the church on Thomas Circle. Dr. Schreiber supervised the design and installation of National City’s monumental five-manual Mö ller organ, a project spanning more than nine years. He initiated weekly organ recitals at the church, which continue to this day. For his contributions at National City and beyond, he was awarded a Doctorate in Music in 1981 by his undergraduate alma mater, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
After retiring from National City in 2000, Dr. Schreiber began a tenure as Minister of Music at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. His initial agreement with First Baptist was to serve in an interim capacity, but his tenure was anything but short-lived. During his twenty-two years with First Baptist, Dr. Schreiber added depth and breadth to the music and worship ministries, while continuing First Baptist’s welcome to the community through events such as the annual Candlelight Christmas Carols.
He led the selection and acquisition of two iconic instruments for First Baptist: a nine-foot Steinway concert grand piano in 2007 and, in 2012, the five-manual 118 rank Austin organ with more than 6,000 pipes and trumpets in four chambers. Under Dr. Schreiber’s leadership, First Baptist shared the gifts of its music with the surrounding community through recitals by distinguished organists, pianists, and singers.
Throughout his career, Dr. Schreiber has composed and published anthems, hymns and organ pieces, and has been a frequent accompanist for leading singers in the Washington metropolitan area. He has distinguished himself through his service to God, his commitment to the finest quality of music in public Christian worship, his leadership in the installation of two of the finest pipe organs in D.C., and his unerring support for the guidance and education of young music professionals. His legacy at First Baptist, National City, and the city of Washington, D.C. will be felt and celebrated for many years to come. Soli deo gloria.