SJD Choristers
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 2024 - 25
Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Cherub Choir Age 3 - Kindergarten: Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Cherub Choir Age 3 - Kindergarten: Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Preparatory Choir 1st – 3rd Grade: Wednesdays, 4:45 – 5:30 pm
Choristers 4th – 12th Grade: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
The Cherub Choir: Age 3 — Kindergarten
Rehearses Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:00 pm and 4:30 - 5:00 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.
The Preparatory Choir: Grades 1 — 3
Rehearses Wednesdays 4:45 - 5:30 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.
Junior & Senior Choristers: Grades 4 — 12
Rehearses Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30 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.
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.
SJD Choristers Staff
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.
Upcoming Events
Eve of Epiphany Evensong and Feast of Lights
Jan 05, 2025 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm
The SJD Chorale leads this service of sung evening prayer on the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, followed by the burning of the greens, chalking of the church doors, and the roasting of the marshmallows for s’mores.
Choral Evensong
Feb 02, 2025 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm
The Choir of St. John the Divine will lead this service of sung evening prayer.
ROCO In Concert: Courageous
Feb 08, 2025 • 5:00am - 7:00pm
ROCO’s trailblazing spirit is embodied in “COURAGEOUS”, spotlighting the full 40-piece chamber orchestra, on February 8th at The Church of St. John the Divine!
