Adedotun Olayemi Appointed Director of Music Ministry at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Annapolis, USA.

In a landmark moment that underscores the global reach of African musical heritage in sacred spaces, Adedotun Olayemi—a gifted organist, choral director, and seasoned music educator—has been appointed as the Director of Music Ministry at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. His contract, signed in November 2024 by the President of the Church Council, Molly Michaelson, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the musical and worship life of this historic church. Effective January 1, 2025, Adedotun will officially take on this role, reporting directly to Senior Pastor, Rev. Micah Krey, under the ecclesiastical oversight of Bishop William J. Gohl Jr., of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Adedotun Olayemi brings to this role more than three decades of extensive and transformative musical ministry that began in his hometown of Ibadan, Nigeria. Born into the Anglican communion, his early immersion in church music began at age seven when he joined the choir at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Molete. Raised by devout Anglican parents—his father, a descendant of an Anglican priest, and his mother, from a longstanding Anglican family—Adedotun’s spiritual and musical foundation was nurtured from the start. By age twelve, he had already distinguished himself as the youngest Organist and Choirmaster at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Felele, Ibadan. Recognizing his rare talent and passion, he earned a scholarship to study music under the late Olaolu Omideyi FRCO, one of Nigeria’s most revered organists and church music educators. There, Adedotun sat for graded examinations through the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), solidifying his technical proficiency and expanding his professional network.

His ascent continued swiftly. In 1997, he was appointed Assistant Organist at the prestigious Cathedral of St. James the Great, Okebola, Ibadan. Four years later, he succeeded the late Attorney Dapo Okubadejo as Cathedral Organist, a role in which he elevated liturgical music through innovative choral arrangements and high-performance standards. In 2004, in recognition of his leadership and impact across the diocese, he was appointed Diocesan Organist for the Diocese of Ibadan by the Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, further cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sacred music voices.

In 2016, Adedotun relocated with his family to the United States, where his commitment to church music continued seamlessly. That same year, he became the Organist and Music Director at All Saints Anglican Church, Hyattsville, Maryland, and in 2019, was also appointed Assistant Diocesan Organist and Choirmaster for the Anglican Diocese of the Trinity (ADOTT), based in Indianapolis. Over his eight-year tenure, Adedotun expanded the church’s musical repertoire and capacity. Under his guidance, the choir mastered SATB harmonies, performed advanced anthems, and incorporated liturgical psalm chanting. He also led the music band integrated within the choir, offering a blended worship experience grounded in excellence and tradition. His leadership culminated in an international tour to Salisbury Cathedral, United Kingdom, in the summer of 2023, where he served as Guest Organist for daily Evensong services, playing the renowned four-manual pipe organ of the Cathedral—an experience that united his African Anglican roots with historic Anglican choral traditions.

Adedotun’s appointment to St. Martin’s comes at a time of renewal and visioning for the church’s musical and worship life. The Director of Music Ministry (DMM) at St. Martin’s plays a vital role in shaping the church’s soundscape. This part-time role (20 hours/week) requires not just artistic skill, but pastoral sensitivity, liturgical insight, and administrative finesse. The DMM is charged with playing the organ and piano during services, directing the Chancel Choir, and curating music in line with the liturgical calendar. He will also take part in special services, rehearsals, and strategic worship planning in collaboration with the pastor and the church council. Candidates for the DMM position are expected to have a rare blend of technical excellence and spiritual depth—qualities that Adedotun has demonstrated at every stage of his career.

The position also demands vocal coaching, choral leadership across age groups, management of music materials, and contribution to broader programs such as Vacation Bible School and Christian education. Administrative responsibilities include budget participation, staff collaboration, and community engagement. With a passion for ongoing professional development and a commitment to spiritual integrity, Adedotun is ideally poised to fulfill this multifaceted and deeply impactful role.

Beyond his musical contributions, Adedotun is also a scholar and professional engineer. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan, and an MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He currently works as a Transportation Design Engineer at the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). His life exemplifies a unique integration of technical acumen, spiritual devotion, and artistic excellence.

Adedotun is happily married to Dr. Ebunoluwa Olayemi, and their union is blessed with three children, two of whom have already followed in their father’s footsteps by joining the choir at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. The Olayemis represent a beautiful tapestry of family, faith, and service—a model of generational continuity in sacred music.

As he steps into his new role, Adedotun Olayemi carries with him not just a résumé of accomplishments but a heart attuned to divine purpose. His vision is clear: to glorify God and edify His people through music that uplifts, unites, and inspires. In his own words, he sees music not merely as an art, but as “a sacred ministry—a spiritual discipline that builds the body of Christ and brings heaven closer to earth.”

With this appointment, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church stands to benefit from a confluence of African sacred tradition and global musical excellence. The entire African arts and worship community celebrates this milestone, as Adedotun becomes a living testament to the transformative power of music and the global impact of African talent.

African Art Times and the whole African music community will continue to follow and celebrate the journey of Adedotun Olayemi in this exciting new chapter of transcontinental sacred music ministry.