Minister of Music Emeritus - Dr. Lon Schreiber

Dr. Lon Schreiber draws from his enormous knowledge of church music to plan and prepare music for worship and direct the church choir. A gifted arranger and composer whose last name means "writer" in German, his organ compositions have been published by H.W. Gray, an affiliate of Warner Bros. Lon served National City Christian Church as Minister of Music for 40 years before being coaxed out of retirement to assume his current position in 2000.

Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber

Lawrence P. “Lon” Schreiber joined The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., as organist and choirmaster in October 2000.

Dr. Schreiber had “retired” after 40 years as Minister of Music at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. He joined National City in 1960, immediately after graduating from Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a Master’s degree in Church Music and Composition.

In January 1973, Dr. Schreiber, the National City choir and soprano Leontyne Price provided music for the state funeral of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had attended services at the church on Thomas Circle.

Over a nine-year span beginning in 1976, Dr. Schreiber supervised the design and installation of the monumental five-manual Möller organ at National City. He initiated the weekly organ recitals at the church.

After “retiring” from National City in 2000, Dr. Schreiber was persuaded to take on an “interim” role as Minister of Music at First Baptist. During 22 years with the church, Dr. Schreiber added depth and breadth to the music and worship ministries, while continuing First Baptist’s welcome to the community at the annual Candlelight Christmas Carols.

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. Under Dr. Schreiber’s leadership, First Baptist shared the gifts of its music through recitals by distinguished organists, pianists and singers. 

Throughout his career spanning 62 years in two D.C. churches, Dr. Schreiber has composed anthems, hymns and organ pieces, and he is a frequent accompanist for leading singers in the Washington metropolitan area. He was awarded a Doctorate in Music in 1981 by his undergraduate alma mater, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.