Grant F. Anderson Citation for Meritorious Ministry
2006 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

The Reverend Robert G. Sonnenberg

Robert Gustave Sonnenberg was born in Mount Vernon, NY. At the age of five he began to study the accordion and for many years played with the Cliff Scholl Accordion Symphony, which gave concerts all over Westchester County as well as in Carnegie Hall, Florida and Bermuda. In grade school he began to study trumpet and then tuba, which he continued to play through high school. While in high school he also studied the double bass. His mother sang in the church choir and the organist, upon hearing of his talent, began to teach him the piano and organ.

In Gettysburg College Bob played in the band for two years but then began to conduct as he became involved with the Premiere Players, a student group that performed musical comedies and provided shows that were needed for such events as Homecoming. Since the college at that time did not have an orchestra from which to choose players, he formed his own orchestra for these events by getting together students and faculty that were proficient and wanted to play. All the while he majored in philosophy as he prepared for a career in the ministry.

Upon graduation from college, he entered the Mount Airy Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia and sang in the seminary choir as well as directed a number of plays that were performed for the students, seminary and community. He also continued his musical career and became the church organist for Incarnation Lutheran Church in west Philadelphia. Graduating from seminary in 1968, Bob was called to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richmond Hill as the assistant pastor and, when his predecessor resigned two and a half years later, St. John’s called him as their pastor. He continued his studies at Hunter College in New York City and received a Masters degree with a major in composition and continued his interest in theater and music by working with the Mount Vernon Music Theater for the next twenty-five years. He also studied conducting with Jens Nygaard, the conductor of the Jupiter Symphony in New York City.

About 26 years ago Bob founded the Queens Lutheran Coalition Choir which was composed of singers first from Lutheran churches and then, as the group became known, of singers from many churches from Queens, Brooklyn and Nassau counties. It was supported by the Lutheran Churches of Queens for many years, but then the time came when it was no longer possible and the group decided to become independently incorporated and changed the name to the Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill. The SMC presents concerts each year, in December and April, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The works performed are major compositions from well-known composers. The Chorale, joined by professional soloists from New york City and accompanied by professional instrumentalists, has received high praise from all who have heard them.