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

"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

2024/25 Choral Scholars

Emma Martin

Emma Martin (soprano) is currently in her second 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!

Kyla Neville

Kyla Neville (soprano) is a second year music student at Acadia University studying voice and guitar. Kyla is a singer songwriter and currently has an EP out on all platforms titled “Pretty Word for Pain”. Outside of school she enjoys playing and performing music with friends, going for long runs on the dykes, and a good coffee! Kyla plans on going into the music therapy program at Acadia and hopes to one day open her own practice of alternative therapy with other collaborators or perhaps do further schooling and research into music therapy and teach the subject one day. 

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!

Duncan Stumpf

Duncan Stumpf (baritone) is a first-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 is eager to get involved in some Wolfville music. 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!

Amelia Wheeler

Amelia Wheeler (alto) is currently a vocal performance major in her fourth 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.