Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville TN

Joan McGinnis has been the Director of Music at Messiah since January, 2006. A native of Powell, TN, Joan studied organ with member and former organist, John Brock, Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Joan has served churches in Knoxville and Memphis, Tennessee, and Warren, Michigan. Prior to coming to Messiah, she was organist at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, TN.

Joan teaches organ lessons at Messiah and piano lessons at her home studio in Powell. She has two "furbabies," Charley and Emma, and enjoys spending time with her family, especially her great nephews and nieces.

One of her interests is the visual aspects of the worship space. She has made several paraments and vestments for the churches she has served. She has also contributed to the worship space for the Methodist retreat center at Lake Junaluska, NC, as part of Liturgical Arts Week and Holston Annual Conference. As owner of threads of faith she has also been commissioned to create banners and paraments for churches and pastors across the southeast.

Established in the fall of 2006, the LIFE Choir sings for the 8:30 AM worship. This relaxed intergenerational group of singers came together as part of the Wednesday Evening LIFE (Living In Faith Exploration) activities. They rehearse at 5:30 PM on Wednesday evenings in the choir room. Preparing primarily unison and two-part music, this is a choir for everyone...those who have sung in choirs for years, as well as those who have always wanted to, but usually just "sing in the shower!" They have a lot of fun during rehearsals, but have been challenged to learn a lot of diverse music. They have joined with the Luther Choir for special Sundays such as Reformation and Easter.

The Luther Choir sings for 11:00 AM worship on Sunday mornings. This choir rehearses in the choir room on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM and sings in worship from September to May. Comprised of many talented and trained musicians, this SATB choir has been the primary choir of Messiah since the church's beginning. They have sung many of major choral works, including John Rutter's Requiem and Handel's Messiah. The choir is a balanced group of about twenty singers. Those who enjoy a challenging repertoire are invited and encouraged to join.

The Wittenberg Ringers is an adult handbell choir of thirteen ringers using a three-octave set of Malmark Bells and chimes. Some of these talented folks have been ringing for years. Others have just recently joined the group. The Wittenberg Ringers rehearse at 6:00 PM on Thursday evenings in the handbell room on the lower level. They play several times a year for both services and participate in the Knoxville Area Handbell Festival usually held in March. We hope to expand this group, so newcomers are always welcome.

Messiah is indeed fortunate to have many talented and experienced instrumentalists.

Messiah's Brass Quartet includes a professional trumpet player as well as a high school youth. This group was formed in 2006 and enjoys playing several times each year.

Other instrumentalists include an amazing flutist, a saxophone ensemble, harpist, cellists, keyboard players, percussionists and guitarists. The band, 1517, was formed for the 2007 Youth Sunday worship and includes piano, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Plans are in the works to have this group get together occasionally for special events and worship experiences.

The church orchestra is comprised of many of these fine musicians and has performed many times over the years. Rehearsals are arranged with all of the instrumental groups as needed.
If you play and instrument and are interested in sharing your talent at Messiah, please talk with Joan McGinnis, Director of Music. She is always excited to find new talent.

Messiah is blessed to have one of the best organs in East Tennessee. The organ is a two manual, 25 rank, mechanical action instrument built by the Andover Organ Company of Massachusetts. It was installed in 1982 and dedicated to Sally Nelson who served many years as organist at Messiah. If you look closely at the area above the music desk, in front of the swell, you will see Sally's favorite Bible passage: "Rejoice in the Lord always." The organ was incomplete at the time of the original installation. The swell division and additional pedal stops were added in 1990. John Brock, professor of organ at the University of Tennessee, was organist during this time.

Stop List

 Great Division

Swell Division (enclosed)
Dulciana 8
Gedeckt 8
Principal 4
Principal 2
Scharf III
Krummhorn 8

Pedal Division
Subass 16
Principal 8
Choralbass 4
Pousaune 16
Trumpet 8 (gt)
Couplers: Swell/Great, Great/Pedal, Swell/Pedal
Tremulants Great and Swell, Zimblestern