Adult Choir & Choir School

The St. John’s semi-professional Adult Choir offers music from our historic Anglican tradition each Sunday morning from September to mid-June. We also sing Choral Evensong about once a month throughout the season as well as an annual concert of large-scale masterpieces. Our repertoire spans the entire breadth of Christian music from the Middle Ages to present day. We are particularly committed to broadening the Anglican canon to include more music by minority composers past and present. The St. John’s Choir is well-known in Greater Hartford and has sung in residence at Washington National Cathedral.

Our choir is a welcoming and dedicated ensemble that rehearses every Wednesday evening (September through mid-June) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fellowship and comradery are just as important as music. Members are invited to an optional pre-rehearsal dinner for both the Adult Choir and youth Choir School at 6 p.m.

New singers are always welcome! People of all faiths or none are welcome to join us, though we hope members will be supportive of our worship and mission. Prospective singers can contact our director of music anytime to arrange an informal audition.

The Adult Choir includes several paid staff singers who serve as section leaders, soloists, and assistants to the Choir School program. To inquire about position openings, contact the director of music.

The St. John’s Choir School is a free music education program for children ages 7 to 18. Choristers sing about two Sunday mornings a month (September through mid-June) with the Adult Choir and occasionally alone. Affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, the Choir School curriculum places equal emphasis on musical development, religious education, leadership skills, and social time. In recognition of their time and service, choristers are paid a modest monthly stipend.

Choristers rehearse most Wednesdays (September through mid-June) with the following schedule:

4:30 to 5 p.m.: social time (optional)

5 to 6 p.m.: rehearsal

6 to 6:30 p.m.: dinner (provided by volunteers, choir families, and/or the church)

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: rehearsal with the Adult Choir

On Sunday mornings when they are scheduled to sing, choristers rehearse from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and then have the opportunity to participate in St. John’s excellent Sunday School program from 9:30 to 10:15, followed by singing at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Choristers have the unique opportunity to make music not only with peers but also a semi-professional choir. Occasionally, they receive individual and small-group voice lessons with experienced teachers. An annual summer sleepaway camp allows even more time to learn music and make friends!

By the time of graduation, singers will have confidence to meet many future challenges. They learn values of self-esteem, team spirit, respect, discipline, and community service. St. John’s Church is a safe and inspiring place to make music, friends, and life-long memories!

This program is open to all children regardless of St. John’s membership or faith background. Although church participation is not required beyond Choir School commitments, the schedule allows choristers to participate in St. John’s Sunday School and youth group programs if they wish, and we welcome parents, caregivers, and siblings to get involved in the parish too as desired and appropriate. This program can accommodate students with busy extra-curricular schedules, but we ask parents/caregivers and children to commit to regular attendance for the full season schedule. Contact the director of music to learn more and arrange an informal audition.