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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​Sing a New Creation

In 2022, the Anglican Church of Canada published Sing a New Creation, a supplement to Common Praise (1998). Designed for use in many congregations and musical traditions, this supplemental volume includes new hymns and songs that do not appear in Common Praise, nor in any of the hymnals in the U.S. Episcopal Church. In addition to many traditional-looking hymns, Sing a New Creation includes: short songs, songs that can be taught and sung “paperlessly,” lead sheets, and songs from around the globe. At St. John’s, we continue to sing from Common Praise and we’re expanding our repertoire with this new hymnbook.  

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

"I've been singing in church choirs for a large part of my life, and so was thrilled when I was first told about the opportunity to do so while studying at Acadia University. St John's has been special because I've been honoured to be accepted into a greater community here. I've loved being able to sing music I wouldn't have found if not for Dr Boyd, and to be able to sing it in this space. Music can be so powerful, and it is most apparent when it is in reflection of what it is to be a human, together, in this world with all of you."

- Amelia Wheeler, mezzo-soprano

2025/26 Choral Scholars

ABBY MACDOUGALL

Abby MacDougall (soprano) is a second-year music student at Acadia University, studying voice under Paula Rockwell. Since beginning her music journey in 2017, Abby has sung with dozens of choirs, including Canta Mara, Children's Chorus of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Youth Choir, Acadia University Singers, among many more. She has even had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the Canadian National Chorus in 2022. Even so, this is her first time singing with a church choir, and she is thrilled for the opportunity to be part of the St John's community!

Emma Martin

Emma Martin (alto) recently graduated from Acadia University in May, with a Bachelor of Education. She is currently an elementary Music teacher at Dwight Ross School (Greenwood) and St. Mary’s Elementary School (Alysford). Emma previously earned a Bachelor of Music from Acadia in 2023, where she studied Voice with Paula Rockwell. Growing up in New Glasgow, Emma enjoyed piano lessons, many musical ensembles including choirs, bands and performing in musical productions. Most recently, Emma appeared in the Stage Prophet’s production of The Wizard of Oz, where she played the role of Dorothy. Emma is grateful for the wonderful community at St. John's and is happy to be back for another year!

Bailey Pringle

Bailey Pringle (soprano) is a third-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 4th-year student at Acadia University pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance. From a very young age, Emma was always singing and loved performing. Her dream was to attend post-secondary education and earn a music degree to continue her passion, expand her knowledge, and develop her craft. Emma truly loves choir! She has had many opportunities with choirs: Alberta Youth Honour Choir, the Youth Singers of Calgary, and, in May 2024, the National Youth Choir of Canada. Currently, she is a member of the Acadia University Singers directed by Dr. Michelle Boyd and the Acadia University Chorus directed by Michael Caines. Emma's future goals include attending graduate studies to complete her Masters in Choral Education and Conducting, allowing her to start her dream career of being a choir director! Emma is so grateful to be a part of the St John's Anglican Church community and thrilled to participate in the choir at services each Sunday. 

Duncan Stumpf

​Duncan Stumpf (baritone) is a second-year geology and biology major at Acadia University. Duncan is very interested in pre-historic life. He looks forward to studying paleontology at the graduate level and pursuing research opportunities to discover more about dinosaur vocalisation. Growing up in rural near-north Ontario, surrounded by trees, lakes, and wild things, Duncan is deeply passionate about nature, and enjoys spending time outdoors immersed in his surroundings either by biking, hiking, doing nature photography, and sailing. With a history of music-making in his hometown, Duncan loves getting involved with music in Wolfville. He plays bassoon with the Acadia Symphonic Band, sings with the Manning Memorial Chapel Choir, and is thrilled to sing at Saint John’s as well!

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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.