Music Program

Music is an integral part of our worship services. The festive 10 a.m. service on Sunday features choir and organ, led by our music director and organist, Dr. Lenore Alford. About once a month, our musicians are joined by resident trumpeter Bill Holmes. 

Dr. Alford is committed to creating liturgical music that is exciting, inspiring, and communicative.  Her music is frequently improvised and often reflects her passion for presenting works by women composers. 

We’re proud of St. John's organ. It is one of the largest and most successful instruments of its type in Northern California.The organ is a "hybrid" instrument -- about one-third Aeolian-Skinner pipes and two-thirds Allen Renaissance digital.

Benefit Concert for the
St. John's Choir School

On Saturday, October 2nd at 8pm, we will hold our first benefit concert for our new children's choir program here at St. John's. The concert will feature our own Debra Schleicher, soprano, singing Handel favorites, and will also showcase other prominent Marin musicians.
Tickets are $20/general and $15/senior.
Reception to follow in Hallett Hall.
Learn More about the Benefit Concert and buy tickets.
Scroll down for more about our children's choir.

Adult Choir

The choir is open to all adults and high school students who can sing on pitch and attend rehearsals regularly. Anyone interested in singing with us can contact Dr. Alford at 415-456-1102, or lenore@stjohnsross.org.

St. John's adult choir rehearses on Thursday evenings, 7:30 to 9.00. We warm up at 9:05 on Sunday mornings to prepare for the 10:00 service.

Children's Choir

St. John’s Choir School for boys and girls K-8

Background Information
The St. John’s Choir School offers first-rate vocal training for boys and girls in a nurturing Christian environment. Rooted in the excellence of the Anglican musical tradition, the St. John’s Choir School is dedicated to giving children the training and opportunities that allow them to participate fully in the ministry of music at St. John’s. This will mean that on the second Sunday of each month, our children’s choir will lead the sung liturgy at 10am at St. John’s. Our chorister program will be affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) beginning this September (2010).

Participation in the St. John’s Choir School develops each child’s musicianship, and also nurtures invaluable life skills of teamwork, leadership, discipline, and self-confidence. The rehearsal schedule features small group instruction that is at once challenging and fun. Several times a year, the children will join with the adult choir of St. John’s, allowing children and adults to join in singing together the great sacred music of the ages.

RSCM: The Royal School of Church Music (www.rscmamerica.org)
Founded in England in 1927 by Sir Sydney Nicholson, the RSCM remains dedicated to the highest standards of music in the church. It has grown to become an international and ecumenical organization with more than 11,000 affiliates in North America, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and throughout Europe.

Two of the main offerings of the RSCM are:
• VOICE for LIFE, an acclaimed structured choral training guide
• Annual week-long summer courses for choristers in various regional locations.

The RSCM VOICE for LIFE program is structured in four levels: light blue, dark blue, red, and yellow. Each level represents successive, individual achievements in vocal skills, musical understanding, knowledge of repertoire, commitment to the choir, and the like. Workbooks and cards with specific targets allow choristers to work through the four levels at an individual pace. Ribbons and awards are given as the child masters each level in the program.

Rehearsal Schedule and Fee Information
Rehearsals will be Mondays at 4.15-5pm. The choir will sing on the Second Sunday of each month: warm-up rehearsal begins at 9.05 for the 10am service.

Tuition for the year is $300 per chorister, which covers only a portion of the cost of the program. The rest will be made up with fundraisers and the like.

Please contact Dr. Lenore Alford, Music director, if you would like additional information. She may be reached at 415-456-1102x111, or lenore@stjohnsross.org. The program is open to parishioners and non-parishioners alike; tuition is higher for non-parishioners.

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