Music and Choir

Sunday Services

Each Sunday at the 10:30 service, the St. John’s Choir sings the liturgical music, an offertory anthem, and a communion anthem. While Roger Sethmann, Director of Music, largely draws from the great body of Anglican Church Music when choosing anthems, the choir’s repertoire also includes works by classical composers sung in Latin or German, and settings by contemporary arrangers. The music for each week’s service is chosen to celebrate the current liturgical season and any special church holy days that might fall on or near a specific Sunday. The choir’s repertoire of communion anthems includes plainsong settings and Taize chants as well as traditional motets. Because the choir is small in number, versatility is needed with singers sometimes changing parts and settings being adapted from four to two parts, depending on the singers available. During a recent visit, one of our bishops proclaimed St. John’s Choir, ‘the best little choir in the Diocese’. The choir rehearses every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and is continually adding to their repertoire. In addition to the 10:30 Sunday morning service, St. John’s Choir is available to sing at funerals and other services on request.  The choir is always seeking additional members.

Concerts

The St. John’s Choir also forms the nucleus of a larger group, the St. John’s Chorale, which brings together singers from throughout the area to perform a master work under Roger’s direction. Previous concerts featured the Faure Requiem, Schubert’s Mass in G, the Vivaldi Gloria and several Lessons and Carols performances. Recently six women of the choir have formed a group, the Grace Notes, to have the opportunity to sing secular music of various types. CDs of concerts are available for purchase at the church.

Concert Recordings

Fauré Requiem

Seven Last Words

Medley of Hymns