A significant part of the church and worship life of the congregation has been music. Zion has always been blessed with individuals to whom God has given gifts in this field and who have willingly shared them. Choirs have existed many times at Zion, usually being formed, disbanding and then forming again. The first such choir was begun in 1912.[1]

Concordia Singverein - Alva, Oklahoma
Concordia Singverein – Alva, Oklahoma
Concordia Singverein Members - Alva, Oklahoma
Concordia Singverein Members – Alva, Oklahoma

Choir Directors

Miss Ruth Genuit
Miss Ruth Genuit

Solidity came to the intermittent choirs in the person of Ruth Genuit who held the position of Director of Vocal Music at Northwestern State College in Alva.

Miss Genuit began directing Zion’s vocal choir in 1943 and sustained that choir until she moved away during the 1970s. She had retired from the college in May of 1967 due to health but continued to direct Zion’s choir and to live in the teacherage which was sold following the closing of the school.

Other choir directors followed, including Roland Lohmann, who also served as an organist, Danny Rock, who taught band at the high-school, and Mrs. Rejeana Weibener.

Choirs

1943 Choir
1943 Choir
1943 Choir Members
1943 Choir Members
1948 Choir
1948 Choir
1948 Choir Members
1948 Choir Members
1949 Choir
1949 Choir
1949 Choir Members
1949 Choir Members
1974 Choir
1974 Choir
1974 Choir Members
1974 Choir Members
1976 Choir
1976 Choir
1976 Choir Members
1976 Choir Members

Childrens Choir

1978 Children's Choir
1978 Children’s Choir
1978 Children's Choir Members
1978 Children’s Choir Members

Music Director

ReJeana Wiebener
ReJeana Wiebener

Bell Choir

Mrs. Weibener also directed the bell choir, which has been well received everywhere they go.

1997 Bell Choir
1997 Bell Choir
1997 Bell Choir Members
1997 Bell Choir Members

Organists

Zion has also been blessed with many fine organists. The school teachers frequently served in this capacity. Teacher Harold Meier was renowned for playing faster and singing louder when he felt the congregation was dragging a bit with its hymnody. Teacher Hartman played organ also, sometimes slipping songs of the old west into the service. Others have included Mickey Kletke, Cindy (Rauh) Randolph, Dianna Wallace, Mary Turner and Ruby Hughes.

Notes

  1. SOURCE: Zion Lutheran Church – Alva, Oklahoma 100 year celebration booklet “Zion Lutheran Church 1899-1999 Alva, OK”. 1999.

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Alva Perry Countians Copyright © 2018 by Dale William Kirmse is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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