The worship life of St. John’s parish is a rich one, steeped in the liturgical tradition of the Episcopal Church. Excellence in sacred music offered to the glory of God is one of the hallmarks of our liturgical life. While most of our music making involves hearty participation by the congregation and choir, there are also many opportunities for disciplined and prayerful listening—organ or instrumental voluntaries, anthems, occasional choral settings of the music of the Eucharist, as well as services of Evensong and Advent Lessons and Carols—each offering moments when choral and instrumental music can be experienced in heightened ways.
Our music is intended to draw people into the deeper realities of God. Whether you are a practicing musician or a dedicated listener, there is an important place for you in the music of St. John’s. You might lend your voice or instrumental talent to the choir, join the tower bell guild, assist with music library or the St. John’s Choir School, or simply commit to being a faithful presence in our congregation. Your participation—whether from the loft, the pew, or behind the scenes—helps sustain this vibrant ministry.
The adult choir spans a wide intergenerational range and includes everyone from amateur singers to professional musicians. With more than 50 regular singers, the adult choir accepts new members throughout the year. The choir meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. for rehearsal prior to worship, with additional services and rehearsals during the academic year.
Launching in August of 2023, the St. John's Choir School is an intensive music education program after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, open to all children and youth ages 5-18. This tuition-free program offers opportunities for children to learn music theory, singing, and keyboard from dedicated and professional musicians.
The choristers (ages 8+) lead a service of Choral Evensong every Wednesday evening at 5:30pm in Carter Chapel and join the Adult Choir on Sunday mornings at the principal service of Holy Eucharist at 10:00am.
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During the academic year, St. John's offers a service of Compline on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. in the candlelit church. This ancient monastic worship service is led by clergy and an all male choir and offers a meditative mix of Scripture, prayers, and sublime music. Membership in the Compline Choir is by audition - twice annually in August and January. New members are occasionally added at other times of the year when there are openings for Countertenor, Tenor, or Bass singers. A candidate should have experience as a choral musician and demonstrate his ability to sing and to blend with the choir. The candidate must be willing to devote Sunday evenings to singing the service and make it a high priority. If you have an interest in becoming a member, please contact Mike Norris, Compline Choir Director.
St. John's is blessed to have 14 hand-rung tower bells, collectively known as the Lewis Chime. Since 1915, the tower bells have been calling parishioners to worship, tolling for funerals, rejoicing after weddings, and providing a joyous sound during events and special occasions downtown. Read more about the bell tower’s history. St. John's Tower Bell Guild, established in 1975, is divided into four teams, with each team responsible for ringing before and after Sunday services one weekend a month. New ringers ages 12 and up are always welcome. No prior musical experience is necessary and training is available.
If you find that our choir or musician groups are not a fit for your schedule or your gifts, consider volunteering. We have many volunteers who do not sing, but simply love the St. John’s music program and want to support it. Volunteers provide invaluable assistance particularly with managing our choral library, accompanying choirs, cleaning and maintaining vestments, or assisting with mailings, publicity, special events and services, and fundraising. Days and times are flexible.
Each year during the month of June, rising 2nd through 8th graders come together for a week of music-making and fun. Led by professional music faculty, this five-day camp provides children with the opportunity to learn singing, ear-training, music theory, and history in a hands-on, participatory environment. This year's camp will be held Monday, June 19 - Friday, June 23, 8:30am-2:30pm. Click here to register!
St. John's Ensemble in Residence, The Tallahassee Bach Parley, brings Baroque music to life with period instruments, offering inspiring concerts that educate our community and encourage the talents of our region’s professional and student musicians. The Tallahassee Bach Parley has a non-profit music school, The Bach Parley String Academy. They offer violin, viola, and cello lessons with accomplished professional performing teachers. Classes are held weekly at St. John's Episcopal Church. The Bach Parley String Academy’s mission is to cultivate in young people an appreciation of and achievement in music, nurture positive character development, and bridge cultural divisions through the common language of music.
Our worship is regularly accompanied by the C.B. Fisk organ, Opus 127 (2005), and occasionally by the Hill and Davison organ (1838), affectionately called the “Jingle Bells” organ. In addition, the St. John’s Tower Bells ring out to call parishioners to worship, toll for funerals, rejoice after weddings, and provide a joyous sound during events and special occasions downtown. Learn more about our organs below. Read about our tower bells on our history page and learn how you can get involved in this ministry here.
Throughout the academic year, St. John’s hosts several special services, including Choral Evensong and Advent Lessons and Carols. Regular concerts are given by the Tallahassee Bach Parley and the Bach Parley String Academy, as well as organ recitals from Florida State College of Music faculty and students.
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