Music and Choirs at St. John’s
Choral Evensong for Eastertide
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Meet the Choir
CHOIR MASTER & ORGANIST
Steven Branyon is a native of York, SC, and a graduate of North Greenville University, Winthrop University, and Westminster Choir College. Mr. Branyon has served churches and synagogues in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Mr. Branyon has performed in Great Britain at Briston, Salisbury, Litchfield, Truro, and Wells Cathedrals. He has professionally recorded with the choirs of St. Peter’s and Morristown, NJ. At various times, Mr. Branyon teaches Music Appreciation for the Elderhostel classes for Mercer University at Jekyll Island. He also enjoys sharing his extensive musical knowledge through courses such as, “Understanding the Organ” for the local Senior Citizens Center in Savannah. In January 2020, he published Balm in Gilead, which is available for purchase at https://paracletesheetmusic.com/product/balm-in-gilead/
THE PARISH CHOIR
The St. John’s Parish Choir comprises of both youth and adult singers from all walks of life who share a common dedication to extraordinary music-making and to the role of choral singing in the context of the liturgy. Repertory covers a wide range of styles and languages from the classic choral heritage. The choir is directed by Mr. Steven Branyon, and Assistant Conductor, Mr. Wesley Perkins. We welcome singers with choral experience, vocal confidence, and music reading skills. Normal rehearsal times are on Wednesdays from 7- 9 p. m. from Labor Day through Trinity Sunday, and 10 a. m. on Sunday mornings.
STAFF SINGERS
St. John’s Church offers stipends to college students and young adults who have the capability of singing in the Parish Choir. The purpose of this program is to:
- Ensure that the choirs have an adequate number of voices to sing the repertoire,
- Expose college students and young adults to the Anglican musical tradition, and
- Help support young adults in their educational pursuits.
If you are interested in auditioning for a staff singer position, click HERE.
EVENSONG
Choral Evensong is sung on several occasions throughout the year. A special concession of rehearsals is made to accommodate those who wish to join us from other churches. Rehearsals for these auditioned guest singers are held on the three Thursday nights preceding a scheduled Evensong.
CONCERTS
The church, in addition to its regular commitment to music & worship, offers several concerts annually as a continued ministry and outreach to our community. These concerts are modest in cost and are supported by both members of St. John’s Church and supporters outside of our membership. We invite you to learn how you can become a sponsor of this ministry by contacting Steven Branyon at sbranyon@stjohnssav.org
CHOIR, MUSIC & MORE
RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) is a worldwide organization whose mission is to make each chorister a healthy singer for life. St. John’s has been a member of this organization for many years. This systematic approach to church music is offered to all singers. Progress is marked by graded ribbons with an RSCM medal worn with vestments. Parish Choir members currently wear the St. Nicholas Medal, patron saint of the RSCM. This medal is not a recognition of the level of individual achievement, but rather a reminder of the standards the choir seeks to attain.
WORKSHOPS with a guest conductor are scheduled once annually. These guest conductors are often considered the best in the church music field. These are scheduled well in advance and give all choristers an optimum chance for vocal growth, and they should be considered an obligation rather than an option.
TOURS are often arranged for the choirs of St. John’s to sing at other venues both nationally and internationally. St. John’s have made three trips to England to sing at Truro, Lichfield, & Wells Cathedrals.
RECORDINGS have been made for the Sonare label. The choir’s first recording was commissioned by the Prayer Book Society but is no longer available.
Two recordings and a DVD are currently available for purchase.
- LIKE STARS APPEARING has music for the Feast of All Saints, recorded at St. Peter’s Church, Savannah.
- MY SPIRIT HATH REJOICED contains a variety of anthems by Stanford, Tallis, Attwood, Smart, Morley & Wood.
- A DVD highlighting the choir’s tour of Lichfield is also available. Each of these can be purchased for a donation of $10 plus postage.
- We record our services weekly so you may listen to our lovely choir music from any particular week. Visit https://sj1928.podbean.com/
- We also have a YouTube Channel for select recordings of our St. John’s Church Choir. Visit:
