Music Ministry
“He who sings prays twice” – St. Augustine
Music at SJD strives to offer a sacred, rich musical experience for everyone, from cradle to grave. Our music ministry is integral to our worship and liturgy. The Choir of St. John the Divine draws from the rich Anglican choral tradition and the principles of the Royal School of Church Music’s Voice for Life curriculum. The SJD Worship Band offers a vibrant worship experience through modern music and original compositions.
Our ministry strives to foster and strengthen a lifelong appreciation for music in children and adults. Singers in our program find a sense of belonging and purpose by leading worship as a community of faith.
Musical ensembles include:
- The SJD Chorister Program
ages 3 – grade 12; rehearses Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons - The SJD Chorale
Adults; rehearses Wednesday evenings 7 – 9 pm - The Choir of St. John the Divine
An intergenerational choir combining the talents of our Junior and SJD Choristers and members of the SJD Chorale. - The SJD Worship Band
The band leads worship at the 9:15 am Awesome Worship service and 11:15 am Modern Worship service.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7 – 9 pm in the Choir Room
The Chorale, our adult choir, sings weekly at the 9:00 am and 11:15 am traditional services. Choir members may choose to sing at one or both services. The Chorale also provides musical leadership for Christmas and Easter celebrations along with the other great feasts of the church year. Music from the rich Anglican choral tradition forms the heart of our repertoire. There is no formal audition, but a meeting with the Director of Music is needed for voice placement. New members are always welcome.
The SJD Chorister Program offers a rich choral experience for children and youth from age 3 – grade 12. The program utilizes the Royal School of Church Music Voice for Life curriculum. All age-appropriate groups rehearse on Wednesdays and sing in various services throughout the year.
The SJD Worship Band exists to glorify God and lead his people in musical worship, through modern praise choruses, ancient hymns of the faith, and original compositions. Led by Sarah Gividen, the band leads the 9:15 am Awesome Worship service and 11:15 am Modern Worship service.
Evensong Series
The Choir of St. John the Divine leads this contemplative service of sung evening prayer in the Church at 5 pm.
Choral Evensong: November 2
Choral Evensong: January 11
Choral Evensong: February 1
Choral Evensong: March 1
Choral Evensong: May 3
Choral Evensong: May 31
Ken Cowan Organ Recital– Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of SJD’s Létourneau Organ
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the grand Létourneau organ in the Church at a special concert featuring virtuoso organist Ken Cowan. Widely recognized as one of North America’s finest concert organists, Ken is an associate professor of music at Rice University, admired for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming. He performs regularly in leading venues and churches across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Join us on Saturday, September 20, at 5 pm in the Church for this unforgettable evening of music, followed by a reception in Sumners Hall. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
ROCO Concert Series
Known as “the most fun you can have with serious music,” ROCO was founded in 2005 at The Church of St. John the Divine by oboist and Juilliard graduate, Alecia Lawyer. After multiple experiences in other musical start-ups, she saw the need for a sustainable and thriving model that would focus on authentic connections between musicians and audiences. Her work of “Wildcatting in the Arts” has expanded through a vibrant and multi-talented team that has made ROCO known for its dedication to living and diverse composers, multigenerational audiences, and free access to classical music for all.
21st Season Performances at St. John the Divine | 5 - 7 pm in the Church
“Feels Like Home”: September 27
“Fragrant Memories”: November 1
“Do You Hear What I Hear?”: February 7
“Seeing Is Believing”: April 18
Learn more about ROCO
Advent Lessons and Carols
The Choir of St. John the Divine will lead this service of Advent Lessons and Carols on December 7 at 5 pm in the Church.
Cameron Carpenter Organ Recital – Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 PM
In the stunning acoustics of St. John the Divine, Cameron Carpenter makes the organ sing. Blending technical perfection with transcendent musicality, he performs timeless works by Bach alongside Mussorgsky's epic Pictures at an Exhibition. Tickets are available through Performing Arts Houston.
Music Ministry Staff
With degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Southern Methodist University, and Perkins School of Theology, Steve has served churches in Cincinnati, Mobile, and Roanoke, Virginia, before joining the staff at St. John the Divine in 2,000. In addition to his work at SJD, he has held numerous leadership roles in various professional organizations, including chairing several regional and national conferences. In his free time, Steve enjoys cycling and sharing his culinary skills.
After finishing her Master's in Voice Performance at the University of Texas, Anna moved to Houston with her then fiancé, Joe. Anna taught music at The Fay School, River Oaks Baptist, and St. Paul's UMC. Anna is also a vocalist, ranging from classical to jazz. She is happily married to Joe with twin daughters in college.
Sarah is a native Houstonian and lives with her husband Nick and their three wild and beautiful kids. She was raised in a musical family and has been performing, leading worship, and writing music all her life. Sarah is lucky enough to have found an insanely talented husband to join her in all of that. Her favorite hobbies are reading, binging true crime documentaries, enjoying all things Tex-Mex, and working out — to justify all the Tex-Mex!
Learn More
After-Service Organ Crawl
Sep 07, 2025 • 10:15am - 1:00pm
On September 7 and 14, join us by the organ after the 9 am and 11:15 am services to see and hear the organ postlude on our fabulous Létourneau organ! Following the postlude, stick around for a short demo of the organ and a Q&A session with our SJD organists. Our organ crawls on September 7 and 14 lead up to our 20th Anniversary Celebration of SJD's Létourneau Organ on September 20th, when Ken Cowan will play a concert for the community.
20th Anniversary Organ Concert with Ken Cowan
Sep 20, 2025 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the grand Létourneau organ in the Church at a special concert featuring virtuoso organist Ken Cowan. Widely recognized as one of North America’s finest concert organists, Ken is an associate professor of music at Rice University, admired for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming. He performs regularly in leading venues and churches across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, followed by a reception in Sumners Hall. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
ROCO Concert #1: "Feels Like Home"
Sep 27, 2025 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm
ROCO launches its 21st season and Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation In Concert Series with Feels Like Home—a back-to-back concert weekend led by Artistic Partner Delyana Lazarova.
