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 us to bring in 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. Click the More About CSP link below to learn more about the program, past Scholars, and how to donate to this valuable program. Thank you!

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More about CSP

2023/24 Choral Scholars

Breton Hickey

Breton Hickey (Baritone) is a tuba/trombone player who comes from Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island. He graduated his Bachelor of Music in 2022 and is continuing his studies at Acadia University to become a music educator. Breton has been in different choirs throughout his life, but he began taking it seriously when he entered the Acadia University Chorus and then later the Acadia Singers/Flanders Fields Choir. Outside of choir, Breton plays in many different university and community ensembles on both trombone and tuba, and is also a Residence Assistant at Acadia University. This is the first time Breton has sung in a church choir, and he is looking forward to the new experience!

Rileigh Lewis

Rileigh Lewis (soprano; BMus '25) hails from Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, and is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Music degree at Acadia University, studying vocal performance. Rileigh has been a devoted member of various choirs of varying sizes since 2006, and has been performing on her own for as long as she can remember. In addition to her academic pursuits, Rileigh is a trained dancer and proudly serves as the President of the Acadia Dance Collective, Acadia's premier recreational dance club. This year, Rileigh is filled with excitement to be a part of the St. John's Choir!

Emma Martin

Emma Martin (soprano) is currently in her first year of Education at Acadia University with aspirations of teaching Music and French. She graduated in May 2023 from Acadia with a Bachelor of Music, studying voice with Paula Rockwell. Growing up in New Glasgow, Emma enjoyed piano lessons, voice lessons and many musical ensembles including choirs, bands and performing in musical productions. This is Emma's first time being a part of a church choir and she could not be more thrilled to join the community at St. John's!

Bailey Pringle

Bailey Pringle (soprano) is a second-year student at Acadia University taking a Bachelor of Music in Voice and hopes to pursue Education in the future. From Burlington, ON, Bailey has studied voice with Michael Mulrooney, and then Tom Oliver. Bailey has completed her Royal Conservatory of Music Exam Level 8 with honours. Growing up Bailey has taken piano, music theory, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre classes in addition to voice lessons, and music festivals. Bailey missed her church choir from home, and is thrilled to be a part of a new community at St. John's!

Emma Proctor

Emma Proctor (soprano) is a 2nd-year student at Acadia University pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. From Calgary, AB, Emma is so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the St. John’s Anglican Church community where she feels right at home. Emma stated singing at a very young age, and has always loved performing. Her dream was always to study for a music degree to continue her passion, expand her knowledge, and develop her craft. Emma truly loves choir! She has sung with many choirs: Alberta Youth Honour Choir, the Youth Singers of Calgary, the Acadia University Singers, the Acadia University Chorus, and soon she will sing with the National Youth Choir of Canada in May 2024. Emma's goal is to complete her Masters in Choral Conducting - her dream career is to be a choir director. Emma is overjoyed to be a Choral Scholar at St John's!

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.

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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.