Rarely are medical personnel associated with musical performance, but the St. Luke's Singers successfully combined the two 20 years ago when the group was formed. In fact, it is the only hospital-based choir in Eastern Pennsylvania.

The group was created in 1991 so that singers and musicians who were also employees of St. Luke's Hospital could be involved in Bethlehem's 250th anniversary celebrations. Several members of the group wanted to continue performing, and that was how Floyd Schlegel became involved.

Schlegel had been a teacher and choral director at Nazareth High School. After retiring, he became organist and later Minister of Music at St. John's United Church of Christ in Nazareth. In 1993 Jan Rader, one of Schlegel's former students at Nazareth High School and a member of the staff of St. Luke's, invited him to become the director. Thus began a successful 20-year association with the group.

The Saint Luke's Singers perform two concerts a year, one at Christmas and the other in the spring. Initially the concerts were held in the Laros Auditorium at St. Luke's Hospital Doctors' Pavilion, but the concerts became so popular that they were moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem.

Along with their growing popularity is the growth of the group itself, which now numbers over 70 members, 95 percent of whom are community volunteers. Three members have been with the group since it began, and 60 percent have been members for 15 years or more.

Commenting on the increased membership, Schlegel noted that some members have to travel a distance to the weekly rehearsals from September through June. One member comes from Reading, and others come from New Jersey.

All proceeds from the concerts are donated to St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, and over $300,000 has been raised to date. Schlegel speaks proudly of the contributions that the Singers have made to the radiology department, the dialysis center, St. Luke's Hospice House on Black River Road, and the renovation of the hospital chapel, to name a few. This year proceeds from the spring concert will go to the beautification project at St. Luke's Anderson Campus.

Over time vision issues made it necessary for Schlegel, 85, to enlarge his copy of the music the group performs and ultimately to announce his retirement. He will be directing the group for the last time at St. Luke's Resident Graduation for Doctors on June 21.