Music at St. John'S
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Music at St. John’s plays an important role in both the expression and the experience of worship. It serves, primarily, to support the liturgies we offer as well as to underscore the message of the Gospel. The St. John’s Schola, the core of our Gallery Choir, is comprised of eight professional voices. These musicians also serve as Cantors throughout the year at Masses and special services. Our repertoire spans from composers of the Renaissance to those of the present day. The Gallery Choir, comprised of volunteer and professional voices, sings each week throughout the academic year.
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Organist & Director Of Music,
Dr. Michael J. DiorioMichael earned his degrees in organ performance from Westminster Choir College, Yale University, and Boston University. As a recitalist and conductor Michael has performed throughout the United States, the U.K., and throughout Europe. He has appeared as an accompanist for the American Boy Choir, the choirs of Westminster Choir College, and as a featured soloist at the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society. His choral compositions, editions, and arrangements are published by Carus-Verlag, Paraclete Press, Church Publishing, and GIA Publications.
Michael has served as a faculty member at The Shipley School where he was Director of Choral Activities and Music Teacher for the Upper School; The Lawrenceville School, where he taught classes, and private instrumental lessons, and also served as the school organist; and at Westminster Choir College, where he currently serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Organ. Prior to joining the music program at St. John’s, Michael served as Organist & Director of Music at Church of the Redeemer (Bryn Maw, PA). -
About the Saint John's Schola &
Musicians in the TempleThe Saint John's Schola is an auditioned group of eight professional voices that serve as the core ensemble for our choral liturgies.
When it comes to liturgical music the goal is to accompany the praise and worship of God above all else. The origin of liturgical music is attributed to King David, who is credited with having created a place for music in worship. I Chronicles, 25-27, tells us that David’s forces were legend: three Levite clans from which he could procure musicians. All in all 288 men were brought into the service of the Temple to “skillfully” sing and play instruments for the worship of God.
I Chronicles 23:5 indicates that David actually employed 4,000 full-time musicians, 288 prophetic singers, and 4,000 gatekeepers. Now, through a few simple calculations, it seems if David were around today he would pay roughly $144 million a year to provide a monthly salary of $3,000 for just 4,000 musicians.
While St. John's does not have the resources, nor the need for so many musicians, we still continue the tradition set forth by David and the Levites. We are all blessed to experience great liturgical music at St. John's. The choir comes together for the sole purpose of being a part of something greater than ourselves and teaching each other as we grow in the love of our work for the church.
Including these professional musicians (or "staff singers"), in our music program affords a wealth of opportunity, attraction, aid, and accessibility. A musically strong church choir will invariably draw musically strong participants, and boost parish membership. Staff singers provide consistency to the entire choir. Volunteers have competing obligations of job, travel, and family commitments which take them away from the choir on occasion. Without the anchor of the staff singers, the balance of sections would be compromised, as would the entire program. Staff singers ensure a consistent quality of music for our worship regardless of the comings and goings of our volunteer choir members.
It is true: people get compensated for church work. We pay our clergy and our staff. Why? Well, because we expect them to bring knowledge and ability that enriches our community, enables our growth, and teaches us in a meaningful way. Biblical passages set the precedent for this. The greatest advantage and reward of having staff singers is the vocal confidence brought to the volunteer members, allowing the growth and strength of their own musicianship and sight-singing skills to flourish. This makes it possible for us to bring more challenging repertoire into worship, meeting the priority for the highest possible quality of musical art to be placed as an offering before God.
Interested parties seeking to audition for any open spaces should send an email to SaintJohns.MusicDirector@gmail.com
Our current Schola roster includes the following musicians:
SOPRANO
Bridgette Johnson
Brenna Markey
ALTO
Duomi Liu
Olivia Currier
Tenor
William Lim
Colin Markey
Bass
open position
Scott Johnson -
Gallery Choir
The Gallery Choir is comprised of volunteers and members of the St. John's Schola. This choir is scheduled to sing during the academic year, and serves at the 9:30am, 11:00am Sunday Masses, as well as other Feast Days and Special Days of Obligation, as scheduled. Rehearsals are held on the first and third Saturday of the month from 3:00-4:30. Any eager volunteers interested in auditioning for this group should send an email to SaintJohns.MusicDirector@gmail.com or call 609-397-3350, ext. 11
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Cantors
Cantors play a very important role in Mass by leading the parishioners in responses and hymns. Cantors are needed for the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, as well as the 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11 AM Masses on Sunday. If you are interested in auditioning to serve in our Cantor rotation please let us know by emailing SaintJohns.MusicDirector@gmail.com
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The Friends of Sacred Music
The Friends of Sacred Music at St. John the Evangelist is a group of Parishioners interested in supporting and enhancing the liturgical music of the Mass and religious celebrations with the goal of reaching a deeper form of worship. To learn about becoming a friend of Sacred Music at our parish please contact the Director of Music by email: SaintJohns.MusicDirector@gmail.com
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Weddings at St. John's
Our music program provides music for wedding Masses and ceremonies. If you are interested in having a soloist or instrumentalist at your wedding, St. John's maintains a roster of professional musicians. Outside musicians will only be permitted to perform in the church with the consent of the Director of Music. If you would like more information on the wedding music policy of St. John’s, please contact the Director of Music by emailing SaintJohns.MusicDirector@gmail.com
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Wedding Music Customary
Please click on the below customary link to review music choices for your wedding. -
Links