Looking back over the 2025-26 Music Season, I’m happy to report that everything we set out to do was accomplished – and THEN some! Hurray!
Throughout the season, St. John’s musicians kept showing up – to study, practice and grow together, developing skills and confidence as performers and colleagues, as worship leaders and as humans in the world. Pre-Kindergarten through adult music programming continued in earnest through the season with strong and consistent support. The Wednesday Choir Cook calendar was just one Wednesday shy of being completely covered! That is The Best consistent support we’ve seen in very long time. We are ALWAYS glad to welcome new cooks to the Kitchen!! Let me know if you are hearing the call to join the team!
2025-26 Music Ministry season began on Wednesday, September 3rd with the regular Choir meal followed by Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st-3rd Grade, 4th–8th Grade, 4th Grade-Adult Chime Choir, and Chant Circle gatherings. Festival Choir toggled with Chant Circle a few weeks before major liturgical festivals like All Saints, Christmas Eve, Palm Sunday, Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday, and the Day of Pentecost. Children’s Music Ministry was again wonderfully led by dedicated directors Wendy Smith and Aliese Hoesel. This ministry and these leaders are the heart and soul of Music Ministry at St. John’s.
Open Mic performance opportunities took place on 7 occasions throughout the season, varying in participation and attendance, but maintaining the sweetness of sharing poems, passages, stories, songs, and music together in a safe environment. I’m always amazed out how much I have benefitted personally from attending and participating in these gatherings. It can be a marvelous and joyful thing to witness the exchange of ideas and expression that happens when a person opens a window into themselves for others to view.
Seasonal Evensongs were offered at 4pm on the first Sundays of Advent and Lent respectively. These gatherings have been quiet, contemplative opportunities to pray and sing together in anticipation coming seasons of joy and celebration.
4th – 8th grade singers sang their final song of the season on Sunday, April 26th, under the expert leadership of their director Aliese Hoesel. Our final Choir dinner and End-of-Year celebration happened on May 6th! Then, on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st-3rd Grade singers and Chime Choir presented their final music of the season during the 10am service that day. We can never forget our deep gratitude for every one of these musicians and their supportive caregivers, as well as our gloriously generous team of volunteer Choir Cooks and helpers who faithfully supported the Wednesday choir meal program throughout the year!
On Sunday, May 24, the Festival Choir and Ensemble helped all of us celebrate The Day of Pentecost in style! Our final Open Mic performance opportunity is set for Friday, May 29th. And finally, on Trinity Sunday, May 31, the Festival Choir will sing their final song of the 2025-26 music season at St. John’s.
Summer Sundays should continue with joyful music throughout. We’re looking forward to worshipping outdoors at Beard’s Plaisance on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st, and gathering indoors for another ALL-Choirs Potluck on June 24th in the Parish Hall at St. John’s. Then we ‘ll worship outdoors again at the Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, August 2nd.
Throughout the season, musicians of all ages and skill level brought their music to a grateful community – compelling all present to lift their songs of praise and devotion in solidarity. The sweet forever sounds of congregational song, choral ensembles, accordion, guitar, trumpet, trombone, viola, percussion, flute, penny whistle, piano, organ, shruti box, clarinet, timpani, chimes, and children singing are ringing in my ears.
Ever grateful for this community,
Chad
