Christopher Schroeder

Christopher Schroeder is Minister of Music and Organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD. Previously, Christopher was the Director of Music and Organist at Towson Presbyterian church in Towson, MD and prior to that was the Minister of Music at Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN, where in 2005 he was recognized for his ten years of service as organist. He has been a church musician for thirty-five years and a organ recitalist in the Midwest and East Coast region. In May 2006 Christopher received a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance at Indiana University in Bloomington and in May 2008 he completed his Master's degree in Organ Performance and Church Music at IU, where he studied organ with Dr. Marilyn Keiser.

Christopher has been involved in church music for more than thirty years. His first church music experience was at St. Mary's Catholic Church where his mother was organist. With years of piano instructions and experience, he began to play organ at several protestant churches in Rushville, Indiana. Before graduating from high school, he studied organ privately at Earlham College and attended Interlochen Music Summer Camp. Christopher studied organ at Westminster Choir College before returning to Indiana University to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. Chris continued his interest in music with part-time positions at various churches in the Indianapolis area while working full time in the fields of Social Work and Accounting. In the Fall of 2003, Christopher returned to higher education to complete his music degrees, attending Indiana University's Jacob School of Music. While there, he studied composition, choral and organ techniques. He completed both the Bachelor and Master degrees in Organ Performance and Church Music under the guidance of many fine musicians and professors including Dr. Marilyn Keiser and Dr. William Gray. Christopher enjoys playing organ recitals in the Indianapolis area. Other passions and expertise include choral and congregational singing. As Minister of Music at Broadway United Methodist Church, he has developed the adult chancel choir to be an exceptional church choir that often sings a cappella and presents a variety of anthems. Each Spring, the choir presents a joint choral concert with the choirs of Butler University. In 2009, Broadway United Methodist Church received a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, which is sponsoring the "Imagine Worship" Series that brings a diversity of music, art and technology to worship. This series has invited various artists to participate in Broadway's worship, including the Marvin Chandler Jazz Trio; Marsha McFee, worship consultant; Carrie Newcomer; Brian Wren, hymn text writer and author; and the local D'Indy String Quartet. Broadway's worship experiences this Fall have been full of wonder, delight, exploration, growth and spiritual fulfillment. As part of the "Imagine Worship" series, Broadway's adult Chancel Choir sang several gospel pieces accompanied by the Marvin Chandler Jazz Trio. In December, the choir will present Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria" with a ten piece instrumental ensemble. Other interests include pursuing ways to make organ music and congregational singing more enjoyable and meaning to the congregations of the church and to the general public. Christopher is available to play for recitals, weddings and funerals.