Music at St. John’s
by James French

The music program at St. John’s continued with fervor throughout 2019 and into 2020. The Parish Choir continues to sing weekly at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Jubilate Choir sings much of the same choral literature as the Parish Choir, but with a less strenuous schedule. They have special projects with the trebles from the Parish Choir adding to the variety of choral music offerings within the churches liturgy. And of course they join in singing for all Festival Services.

The Compline Choir has increased in size with about 14 regular members that insure an octet minimum ensemble. Performing more challenging literature has stretched each singer’s skill and confidence creating consistently reliable performances of the liturgy needed for peaceful evening worship.  Overall, attendance has substantially increased. The Second Sunday of the Month Compline Service has been enhanced with an organ recital immediately following the Compline Office. This offers local organists an opportunity to have the experience of playing our fine Schlicker Pipe Organ, increasing their skills, while making an evening musical offering to our community at large. Overall attendance ranges between from 20 to 70 souls with the organ recitals being larger.

In the Fall of 2019, Isaura Fernandez Orozco began leading the 6 pm Spanish Service Ensemble with her stunning voice accompanying on the guitar along with Jim Steyn playing trumpet.

The Spiritus Dance Ensemble added to worship for a numbers of Festival Services. However, now there are not available dancers as in the past.

Taizé services during Lent included instrumentalists and vocalists from the congregation and from Olympia Sacred Jazz Ensemble who also offered a Jazz Mass this fall at the 10:30 AM Service.

A strong brass ensemble presence is now emerging with a seven member ensemble participating for Festival Easter Services and during Christmas, as well as trumpets added to services from time to time.

In addition to Sunday services, the singing of a hymn at the Wednesday morning 7 a.m. service continues.

Our 5^th Annual Lessons & Carols Service, led by the Parish Choir, the Compline Choir and Jubilate Choir revealed that St. John’s Choirs have grown in size and vocal ability. They confidently led the congregation in traditional Anthems and Carols for the Season.

Our Christine Beckman’s Nookta Rose Baroque concert, this past Sunday was a hands down spectacular success. Christine’s choice of music from the Italian Baroque revealed both the sensitive and the exciting sides of life lived in Italy. Hearing the fine reproductions of period instruments, violins, cello, baroque guitar, and the visually exciting archlute introduced many listeners for the first time to the world of early music.  Expert interpretation of this styled music along with pithy narrative invited all into the magic.

In review, St. John’s Concert Series continued with its traditional procession of outstanding visiting choirs, The Esoterics and Seattle Pro-Musica. However, St. John’s entered into an agreement with the Olympia Chamber Orchestra for their performing their annual season as a part of St. John’s Concert Season and OCO will accompany St. John’s choirs in various projects throughout the year. Many of you enjoyed OCO’s Concerts this past Fall and we look forward to two more this spring, Of Dance and All American Concert. The latter features all St. John’s Choirs along with St. Martin’s University Choirs, Opera Pacifica Chorus accompanied by Olympia Chamber Orchestra in a spectacular celebration of music by Aaron Copland and others.

Gabrieli and Friends Music for Brass and Organ extravaganza with scholar Rebecca Edwards, and the Dedicatory Recital of our finished Schlicker Pipe Organ played by Douglas Cleveland. We thank Bond Organ Builders of Portland, Oregon for stepping up as they work to complete the installation in time for the concert.

The Parish Choir continues to sing weekly at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Jubilate Choir sings much of the same choral literature as the Parish Choir, but with a less strenuous schedule. The Compline Choir has increased in size with about 14 regular members that insure an octet minimum ensemble. Performing more challenging literature has stretched each singer’s skill and confidence creating consistently reliable performances of the liturgy needed for peaceful evening worship.  Overall, attendance has substantially increased. The Second Sunday of the Month Compline Service has been enhanced with an organ recital immediately following the Compline Office. This offers local organists an opportunity to have the experience of playing our fine Schlicker Pipe Organ, increasing their skills, while making an evening musical offering to our community at large. Overall attendance ranges between from 20 to 70 souls with the organ recitals being larger.

A strong brass ensemble presence has emerged with a seven member ensemble participating for Festival Christmas and Easter Services with added brass added to services from time to time just for fun!