Not much is known about the first church but it is possible that at least a pump organ was used and probably a small choir sang the chants of the Mass. The Joliet annals kept by the sisters recorded that in 1871 one of the two teaching sisters who arrived on August 28, Sister Lucia Raub, also served as organist.

Records indicate that an organist was in service to the parish in 1884. Prof. Carl Adams was on the staff teaching music in school and directing the church choirs. He was reported to have been the first person to notice smoke wafting from the roof of the church on the day of the 1889 fire that destroyed the brick structure. The Daily Shield and Banner reported that $50 worth of music was destroyed in the fire, including four Mass settings by Carl Adams. Another report stated that “A desperate attempt was made to rescue the grand organ just inside the door, but to no avail.”

Florence Westrick served as organist for twenty two years, both in the church/school complex and in the present church. A mixed choir assisted with the singing at Mass. With the erection of the present church, the parish’s first pipe organ, built by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, was installed in 1912.

With the arrival of Msgr. Goebel in 1924 a new organist/choirmaster, Peter Lesch, was hired. He studied piano with Sister Loyola. Gregorian Chant was reintroduced into the liturgy and the choir became strictly male.

Raymond Baum, a St. Peter’s High School graduate, began a distinguished tenure as organist in 1928. Except for several years of military service, he served until the early 60’s. During summers he studied liturgical music at the Pius X School of Music. With the help of the Franciscan sisters in the school he developed an outstanding men and boys choir for the parish.

During this era, Compline was sung Sunday at 3:00. The high school boys sang Tenebrae during Holy Week and the prophecies on Holy Saturday. The girls’ choir was permitted to sing the early services on Holy Saturday morning. All of this was sung in Latin.

Following the directive of the Second Vatican Council, Paul Giles, organist in 1965, called for a rehearsal to prepare a Mass in English.

Raymond Tess was organist in 1967. He taught music in the schools and organized a choir of women to sing for funerals. In 1969, associate pastor, Father Robert Thomas, organized a mixed choir that gave its first public performance in May of 1970. The choir performed Christmas concerts and other concerts featuring Masses of Schubert and Gounod. Recordings were produced for the 1973 Christmas concert and the Gounod “Solemn Mass.” The choir also sang for special liturgical celebrations. At its height, the choir numbered 80 members.

In 1969, the High School Glee Club began singing at the 9:30 Mass. This marked the beginning of the Folk Group at St. Peter’s. In June of 1970, Father Thomas asked for guitar players to join the singers. The Folk Group has gone through many changes throughout the years but still provides leadership at the 9:15 Mass on Sunday.

In the early 1970’s, the pipe organ of 1912 was beginning to fail mechanically. It was not considered worth restoration for historical reasons. Msgr. Edward Dunn formed an Organ Committee and a Fund Drive was begun. A contract was signed with Schantz Organ Company in November of 1972 for a two manual, 19 rank organ at a cost of $37,500. It was dedicated on April 22, 1973.

Neil Kraft became organist in 1975. Beverly (Grever) Brook was elementary music teacher and church choir director. In 1976, Mr. Kraft took over the duties of choir director. During his tenure the choir became more of a liturgical choir, singing regularly for Mass, but still continuing the tradition of an annual Christmas concert. The Inter-Church Council of Mansfield sponsored several choir festivals in which St. Peter’s participated. The choir also was invited to provide music for several ordinations at Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.

The liturgical renewal in 1963 spawned a new type of worship aid, the missalette. This was an ideal resource for the rapidly changing translations in the late 60’s. The move to more permanent music resource came in 1972 with the addition of a music binder published by GIA. By 1978 the growing inadequacy of the missalettes brought about a decision to purchase WORSHIP II as a permanent hymnal for the parish.

In 1982, Stan Osborn was hired as music director and organist. Mr. Osborn continued the fine tradition of music and choirs, organizing a chamber choir and producing a Twelfth Night Madrigal Feast. “Today’s Missal” was used briefly in the mid 80’s.

Newly appointed pastor, Father John Blaser, saw a need for a parish liturgist and Tom Kolar was hired. Mr. Kolar presented classes in liturgy for parishioners as well as beginning the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 9:15 and 10:45 Masses. Sunday worship programs began in 1986 and included notes on the scriptures as well as a guide to the liturgy of the day.

Paul Monachino, a St. Peter’s High School graduate and a student of Neil Kraft, became music director and organist in 1987. In 1988 he organized the St. Peter’s Music Series which presents concerts in the church throughout the year. As part of the series, the St. Peter’s Mixed Choir presented an annual Christmas concert and the Twelfth Night Madrigal Feast concluded the Christmas season. WORSHIP Third edition was in use, as well as a hardcover edition of GLORY AND PRAISE. After the fire of 1991 the organ pipes were completely removed and cleaned during the repainting project.

In July of 1996 Neil Kraft replaced Paul Monachino until July of 2004.

Bill Johnson became the Director of Music and Liturgy in August of 2004. Since that time the St. Peter’s Music Series has been revived and provides opportunities to enjoy great musical talents within the walls of our beautiful church. Currently, the GATHER COMPREHENSIVE II has been used during Mass as an aid to worship.

St. Peter’s parishioners have also been lured by the “smell of greasepaint”. In the 1960’s Father Garand, with the assistance of Paul R. Herlihy, brought many musicals to the auditorium stage: “My Fair Lady” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Father Thomas mounted several Gilbert & Sullivan productions such as “Mikado” and “Pirates of Penzance”. In the 70’s Mark Finlayson, with the musical assistance of Neil Kraft and choir members, produced “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Anything Goes”.

A new addition to the parish music ministry arrived in August 1994, a three octave set of musical handbells. The purchase of these bells was made possible through the generosity of many parishioners.

Throughout its history, St. Peter’s has enjoyed a rich musical heritage. It is aware of the importance of fine music, led by qualified musicians, for the liturgy. It also realizes the fun and excitement of musical entertainment. The living musical heritage of the parish is one of its finest distinguishing features.