Dick Ammons has never seen such a positive approach to music and spirituality as he sees in Lucille Olson.
Ammons has been the minister at the Unity of Greater Lansing church, 240 Marshall St. in Lansing, for 24 years, where Olson serves as the music director.
“I like her music because it has such an upbeat message,” Ammons said. “It takes a positive approach to living, God and spirituality, unlike so much of the music today.”
Olson, who has been writing songs for more than 20 years, recently published her collection of nine original Christmas songs for choirs and soloists titled “Journey to Bethlehem.” The music was used in churches throughout the country this past holiday season.
Ammons said the Easter program performed at Unity last year consisted entirely of songs written by Olson.
“We are very happy that she has chosen to share her talent with our congregation,” Ammons said. “I celebrate her success and I hope more and more people will perform her music.”
Olson, a 1974 MSU alumna, said she financed the publication entirely with her own funds.
“I am somewhat awed by the fact that people are touched by the things I produce,” Olson said. “It is fun for me, and others benefit from it, so I continue to write.”
The Unity faith is producing a new hymnal that will be used in church services nationwide. All nine of Olson’s Christmas songs have been accepted to be a part of the hymnal.
The hymnal is scheduled to hit the market sometime next year.
A Dansville, Mich., native, Olson performed in a few campus choirs while she attended MSU for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She said she was married and raising children while she was earning her degrees in music education.
Olson has also produced several other albums that are used for personal enjoyment, rather than the songs that will be used by churches.
“Sometimes I think other people get more out of my music than I do,” Olson said. “This is just something I do, but it is great that people enjoy it so much.”
She also travels to many parts of the country, teaching healing workshops where she encourages others to use music to get through rough times in life.
Olson serves as the music specialist at the Burcham Hills Retirement Center, 2700 Burcham Drive, where most of the time she plays the piano and tries to engage residents in recreational music activities.
“She plays the oldies,” said Tasha Stetler, activity supervisor for the retirement center. “They love the songs from their era they can relate to.”
Stetler said Olson is able to attract attention from residents who aren’t usually active and usually don’t respond to people.
“You will see them reacting to what she plays,” Stetler said. “People who usually don’t move very much will be tapping their feet and singing along.”
