A Vibrant Music Community

Music is a vital element of worship at St. John’s – we are a congregation that loves to sing! We welcome all to join us in expressing our praise through song and other music.
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Following the peal of church bells, our 10am worship services begin and end with music played on the organ or piano. We sing hymns together as well as different liturgical settings from both the Book of Alternative Services and the Book of Common Prayer. Hymn singing is led by the St. John’s Choir, who additionally share anthems and other special music. From time to time, we also delight in the musical gifts of individual singers and instrumental soloists.

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The St. John's Choir

​The St. John’s Choir is a spirited multi-generational ensemble of musical enthusiasts. We love singing and learning music together; we also love laughing together, and, most important, the experience of being part of a church choir family. We take pride in providing musical leadership for church worship services and enjoy singing a diverse range of SATB choral repertoire, learning anthems from the Renaissance up to present day. You can find some of our recordings here.

The choir rehearses on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00pm and also immediately prior to the 10am worship service on Sundays.
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From students to retirees wanting to further their love of music, we always welcome new members.  If you are interested in being part of the St. John’s Choir, please contact our music director, Michelle.

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Choral Scholars

With Acadia University just down the street, St. John’s is fortunate to have student musicians participate in our musical worship, both as members of our choir and as guest musicians for individual services. To support student participation, St. John’s established a bursary fund called the Choral Scholars Program. This fund enables the hiring of guest musicians, and as well, two to three Choral Scholars to help out with our choir each year.
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​The Choral Scholars serve as section leaders and soloists in addition to assisting our music director.

Donations to our Choral Scholars Program are always greatly appreciated. To help support our students, please find out how to donate here, and make sure to indicate clearly that you are contributing to our Choral Scholars Program. Thank you!

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2022/23 Choral Scholars

Amelia Wheeler

Amelia Wheeler (alto) is currently a vocal performance major in her third year at Acadia University. After growing up in Massachusetts, she returned to Nova Scotia in 2015, and has been here ever since. Amelia has participated previously in many chapel choirs, such as the University of King’s College Chapel Choir while attending that institution, and is thrilled to be a part of the choir at St. John’s.

AVani Connell

Avani Connell (soprano; Acadia BMT '23).

Emily Markwart

Emily Markwart (alto; BMus UVictoria '20; CMT '24) is an Acadia student in the Certificate of Music Therapy program. Emily arrived in Nova Scotia in September from Victoria, BC where she completed her bachelor of music at the University of Victoria. She also held the organ scholar position at St. John the Divine in Victoria for three years, and is very grateful for any opportunities to play the Casavant at St. John’s.

Margaret Finlay

Margaret Finlay (soprano; Acadia BAH '20; UYork MA '21) started singing in church choirs at the age of 6, and was delighted to join the St John's Choir when she moved to Wolfville in 2016. Having completed her Bachelor's degree in English Literature at Acadia, and a Master's in Medieval Literature in York, UK, Margaret has returned to Wolfville before her next academic venture. She is absolutely delighted to continue to sing with St. John's for another year.

Past Choral Scholars

2022/23: Avani Connell (Acadia '23, BMT), Margaret Finlay, Emily Markwart (UVictoria '20, BMus; Acadia '24, CMT), Amelia Wheeler (Acadia '24, BMus)
​2021/22: Margaret Finlay, Amelia Wheeler, Alec Fyfe (Horton High '21), Luke Henderson (Acadia '22, BEd)
2020/21: Margaret Finlay (UYork '21, MA) and Luke Henderson (Acadia '20, BMus)
​2019/20: Margaret Finlay (Acadia '20, BAH), Brandon Zuniga (Acadia '20, CMT), and Noah Hartlen (Acadia '21, BMus)
2018/19: Margaret Finlay and Lemuel Johnson (Acadia '19, BMus)
2017/18: Ellen Torrie (Acadia '18, BMT) and Lemuel Johnson
2016/17: Ellen Torrie and Ryan Myers (Acadia '17, BMus)
2015/16: Ellen Torrie and Ryan Myers

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Our Instruments

​St. John’s houses a two-manual Casavant Frères organ (Opus 3182, 1975). It was installed in 1976 through a gift by Miss Margaret Troyte-Bullock, a long-time parishioner. It boasts 10 ranks, 548 pipes, 3 divisions, 2 manuals, 7 stops, and 7 registers. We also have a Yamaha NU1 Digital Hybrid Piano that serves our space well. It was purchased in 2018 through the generous support of members of the congregation.