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. Sarah and Nick also write the songs for Awesome Worship and release them under the name Family Hymnal! You can listen wherever you get your music!
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!
Rebecca Terry has been a confirmed member of St. John the Divine for four years and an active member of the SJD Chorale for the past five years. She spent 35 years in public education, serving as both a teacher and an Early Childhood Coordinator. After more than two decades of supporting and mentoring teachers, Rebecca found great joy in volunteering with the Chorister Program, where she could once again work directly with children and youth. She is excited to be part of the Music Team and looks forward to discovering new ways to support and help lead the Chorister Program.
Emily Perry is a South Dakota native who moved to Houston in 2025 with her husband to pursue full-time careers in music. She joined the music administration team at SJD in August of 2025 and is a soprano section leader in the choir. Emily manages the Chorale of Saint John the Divine to ensure they have the right music, robes, and schedules. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from South Dakota State University and a master's degree in Voice Performance from Baylor University. When she's away from the office, you can find Emily in many choral ensembles around Houston, including the Houston Chamber Choir, Bach Society Houston, Cor Mundi Chamber Choir, and others.
Marcie Boucher, and her husband, Hank, moved from Pittsburgh to Houston in 2022 to be closer to their son, Mark, and his family. The first weekend they were here, Mark brought them to St. John the Divine, and they have never looked back! For the past several years, Marcie has volunteered at the Reception Desk, helped with administrative tasks, served as a Stephen Minister, and served as Corresponding Secretary-Elect of Episcopal Church Women. As an Administrative Assistant to the Music Ministry, she looks forward to helping the staff continue to make the beautiful music that enriches our liturgies so much.
