The Music Ministry of St. John’s
Director of Music/Organist: Nancy Stavely, nstavely@stjohnsec.org or 410-461-7793
Music Committee Chairperson: Bob Miller, 410-988-9241, cbobm2@aol.com
Clergy liaison: The Rev. Nicholas Szobota, nszobota@stjohnsec.org or 410-461-7793
Director, Contemporary Singers: Eric Tich, modena2904@yahoo.com
Director, Children’s Choir: Anna Loomis, atloomis@gmail.com or 410-233-1420
The well known quote from St. Augustine, “They who sing, pray twice,” hangs on a wall in St. John’s choir rehearsal room. This wonderful statement typifies and captures the essence of church music down through the ages and right to the present time.
One of the unique aspects of sacred music is its inherent inclusiveness. As members of the congregation you all become ministers of music each time you raise your voices in the corporate singing of hymns and service music.
For those of you who wish to experience even greater involvement, we invite you to join one of our choirs:
The Adult Choir provides music in the Historic Church for 9:00 worship (first, second & fifth Sundays of each month) and 11:15 worship (third and fourth Sundays). Open to adults and high school students.
Rehearsals: Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30.
St. John’s Singers provide music for the 9:00 contemporary worship in All Saints Hall. Featuring ensemble singers accompanied by guitars, flute, and light percussion, the group's folk-style renditions of both traditional and modern Christian favorites provide the perfect backdrop for the more relaxed worship experience of the contemporary service. The St. John's Singers also provide musical accompaniment for the annual Memorial Day parish retreat at Shrine Mont, as well as for special events throughout the year.
Rehearsals: Sunday mornings, 8:00 a.m.
The Junior Choir provides music for 9:00 worship in the Historic Church on the fourth Sunday of each month. Open to grades 2-8.
Rehearsals: Thursday evenings, 6:30-7:30.
The Contemporary Singers provide music for our 9:00 contemporary worship in All Saints Hall. Open to all ages.
Rehearsals: Sunday mornings, 8:00 a.m.
The Handbell Choir carries on the medieval Christian tradition of hand bell ringing (link). The choir rings in the Historic Church for 9:00 and 11:15 worship on the second Sunday of each month. Open to adults and high school students.
Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30.
The Youth Instrumental Ensemble is open to high school and middle school students with four years of experience playing brass, woodwind, strings, or percussion instruments. The ensemble provides music at 9:00 in the Historic Church on the third Sunday of each month.
Rehearsals: Thursday evening prior to the third Sunday.
The Orchestra of St. John’s was formed to provide Howard County with its first completely professional orchestra, dedicated to exceptional performances of classical music from the Baroque era to the twenty first century. It is a chamber orchestra, composed of fifteen to thirty professional musicians, selected from a wealth of regional talent. The orchestra has the versatility to perform repertoire, written for smaller ensembles as well as symphony orchestras, with greater clarity, highlighting the unique sound of each instrument. The orchestra debuted on November 9, 2008. (Article link) For more information, contact Ron Mutchnik, rjm26@comcast.net.
