St. John's Choirs

The adults of St. John’s Church Choir sing each week, leading the people's part in the service, while adding anthems and communion motets that highlight the messages of the Lectionary Readings.  Most of our repertoire consists of the time-honored SATB format, drawing from the very earliest music, to that of our own time.  Our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m

We present several Choral Evensongs and one or two major choral works each year.

St. John’s Choristers, consisting of boys and girls, ages 8 to 14, rehearses on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  We sing in the service approximately every third week, and for 'extras' like the "Fat Tuesday Follies."  Our music ranges from traditional anthems and hymns, to a pop musical sung in costume each year.

St. John's Music Foundation

The St. John’s Music Foundation seeks to further the use of the historic St. John’s Church building through music and the arts.

Boasting a fine acoustic and a splendid 47-rank tracker action organ, the building and its organ are one of the jewels of this community.  The 1728 brick Church provides a rich atmosphere for quiet and spiritual refreshment.

The interior of the church boasts a splendid manual tracker action organ installed in 1993 by the Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canadaigua, New York, in the gallery of the Nave.  It is their seventh organ (Opus 7) and it is one of the larger organs built by the company.  It has 47 ranks, three manuals and pedal, 36 speaking stops, and 2,798 pipes.  View the Stop List.^[1]  This organ replaced the 1926 Skinner Organ (Opus 589) which was lost due to water damages.  It had 22 ranks, three manuals and pedal, 28 speaking stops, and 1,481 pipes^[2], and was located in what is now the Chapel.  For the 1728 brick Church, the new organ provides a beautiful musical atmosphere for spiritual refreshment.

An annual Concert Series include fine performances from both area artists and from internationally recognized individuals and groups.  The church choirs are actively involved in the Series, and are in turn enriched for the weekly responsibility of singing at worship services.  We at St. John’s seek to actively share our heritage and resources.

Music Events

THE ORGAN SWELL

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 at 12:15 p.m.
here at St. John's

Susan Hines Cello	John Siderius Organ

Six Vivaldi Cello & Continuo Sonatas
Schumann 200th Anniversary Organ works
Bach Prelude and Fugue in G

Suggested Donation $10
A Virginia Arts Festival Event

You are invited to
HISTORICAL TALK & “COLONIAL MUSIC” EVENT
Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

This event will feature a historical talk about St. John's by the noted author of “How Firm a Foundation - The 400-Year History of Hampton Virginia’s St. John’s Episcopal Church The Oldest Anglican Parish in the Americas”, James Tormey.  In addition, the event will feature choral music, harpsichord, organ and other guest instruments produced and directed by John Siderius.    

ST. JOHN’S CHORISTERS REUNION
Saturday, 10 July 2010

What:	An invitation to Choristers from the past 20 years to reunite for the St. John’s 400th Anniversary.  This will bring people together who spent their formative years here.
When:	To join in singing for the 400th Anniversary Service on Sunday, 11 July 2010.
Why:	St. John’s has an active ministry to Young People, including a choral program. Many, many kids have been either Little Singers or Choristers over the past 20 years (since John Siderius became Music Director in 1990).  A reunion of all these wonderful folks will be a unique dimension to the celebration of the 400th milestone in this Parish’s history.
How:	Three rehearsals, a Festival Service, and a party.
Who:	As many former / present Choristers as we can reach.

If you know the name and contact information of someone who should be included in this endeavor, please contact John Siderius or call (757) 722-2567.

 

Recordings For Sale

 

WEDDING MUSIC SAMPLER

Eighty samples of music appropriate for the Wedding Service.  Narrated and played by John Siderius, with vocal examples sung by Shannon McCall.  Music is suggested for the Bridal Procession, the Recessional, the Prelude to the Service, possible Hymns, and Music for the seating of Mothers, Communion Music, and Vocal Solos.  Visit John Siderius' Wedding Music Sampler website to see the list of tracks, hear the samples, and order the CD.

 

ALL SAINTS and ADVENT 2004

Recorded during the Choral Evensong for All Saints in November, and the Advent Carol Service in December of 2004, this CD illustrates our Church community at worship.  Lush settings of the Evensong Canticles sung by the choir, hymns in sonic splendor, and carols for the Advent season are interspersed with the Scripture Readings of each observance.

VIRGINIA YOUTH CHOIR

The 30 voice auditioned children’s chorus rehearsed at St. John’s for several years, and included many of our talented Choristers.  This CD includes samples of Concert recordings from 1995 to 1998.  There is a selection of Folk Songs, a concert staging of Joseph, eight pieces from the National Cathedral trip with the combined forces of the Church Choir and the Hampton Baptist Church Choir, and five Messiah Choruses with the adults of the Church Choir and orchestra.

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Sources:

1. Parsons Pipe Organ Builders Website; Page http://www.parsonsorgans.com/opus7.htm; Accessed 14 Sep 2009.

2. Layden, Steve; Aeolian-Skinner Website; Page Opus 589: St. John's Episcopal Church (Hampton, VA); Accessed 14 Sep 2009.