The SJD Chorister Program offers a rich choral experience for children and youth from age 3 – grade 12. We utilize the Royal School of Church Music Voice for Life Curriculum with our choristers. Read more about this program here.
Rehearsal Schedule for 2023 - 24
Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Cherub Choir: Age 3 - Kindergarten: Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Preparatory Choir 1st – 3rd Grade: Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:15 pm
Junior Choristers 4th – 6th Grade: Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Senior Choristers 7th – 12th Grade: Wednesdays, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Rehearses Wednesdays 4:00 – 4:30 pm
The Cherub Choir learns to sing worship songs in a joyful and fun setting. Because children love to sing, we aspire to foster that love as they progress through the SJD chorister program. The Cherub Choir sings occasionally for Sunday School classes and in Awesome Worship and concludes the year by singing at the Traditional Service in early May.
Rehearses Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:15 pm
Choir Retreat: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 9 am - 12 pm
The Preparatory Choir sings periodically throughout the year for worship services and on Christmas Eve. Choristers begin their engagement with the Voice for Life curriculum, as they develop new skills and a joy of singing.
Rehearses Wednesdays 5:15 - 6:15 pm
Choir Retreat: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 9 am - 2 pm
Junior Choristers sing in worship once per month with the SJD Chorale at the 11:15 am Traditional Service and special services throughout the year. Choristers learn to understand their importance as young liturgical leaders, as they continue to develop musical skills through the Voice for Life curriculum.
Rehearses Wednesdays 5:15 - 6:15 pm
Choir Retreat: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 9 am - 2 pm
St. John’s Senior Choristers lead worship on a regular basis at the 11:15 am worship service, often with members of the SJD Chorale, and at special services throughout the year. The Senior Choristers are expected to mentor the younger choristers.
Junior and Senior Choristers can attend a Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) summer training course.
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) was founded in England in 1927 as a training college for church musicians and an association of affiliated churches committed to attaining high standards of musical performance. The RSCM has grown to become an international and ecumenical organization, with more than 11,000 affiliates in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and throughout Europe. The RSCM has grown to become an international and ecumenical organization, with more than 11,000 affiliates in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and throughout Europe.
The RSCM Gulf Coast Course is one of 9 training courses in the US that take place during the summer. The Gulf Coast Course is for girls, ages 10 – 18. The Gulf Coast Course will be hosted by The Church of St. John the Divine and has been housed at both Rice University and the University of St. Thomas.
Our own Anna Teagarden, associate director of music, SJD Choristers, is the manager of the Gulf Coast Courses.
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.
Audrey graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Radio, Television, and Film. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, she returned home to Texas and joined her long-time friend and mento Anna Teagarden at St. John's Working with the kids of the St. John's chorister program never fails to bring a smile to her face!
Oct 08, 2023 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm
The Choir of St. John the Divine will lead this service of sung evening prayer.
Nov 05, 2023 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm
The Choir of St. John the Divine will lead this service of sung evening prayer for the Feast of All Saints, which includes a reading of the Necrology - a list of our parish family members who have passed in the last year.
Nov 11, 2023 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Conductor Johannes Debus makes his ROCO debut in a program featuring more than the eye can see.