Music Ministries
St. John’s Music Ministries, under the direction of Alan C. Reed, brings to life the words of hymns and services every Sunday, in perfect concert with the Brunzema/Smith Organ. St. John's Music Ministries are affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music America, an organization dedicated to the enrichment of Christian worship through the excellence in music.
As the Organist and Master of the Choirs, Alan has created a great a wealth of opportunities for each member of the congregation to participate. In keeping with St. John’s commitment to our youth, many openings exist for young choir members to learn to use their voices in harmony with God’s service. The Treble Youth Choir plays a lead role during our 8:45 a.m. service in the church, assisted by the Shepherd Choir for Teens and Adults.
St. John's Choir, the 11:15 Adult Choir also plays a major role each Sunday morning, as well as for services on special occasions. Participation in our choirs is a unique mission for each member, and one that benefits the entire congregation. Interested singers and parents should contact Alan or call the church office for more information.
In addition to our Choirs, St. John's 8:45 a.m. Contemporary Service offers an alternative to a traditional music and worship style. The Living Water Praise Band, under the direction of Justin Rhymer, plays a variety of Christian contemporary music mixed with familiar hymns, showcasing the musical talents of our volunteer musicians and singers.
Organist and Master of the Choirs
Alan C. Reed
He may be invisible to worshipers at St. John's, but Alan Reed's presence is apparent in each Sunday service. Organist and Master of the Choirs for St. John's since 2003, Alan Reed is the son of a Presbyterian minister and therapist father and school teacher mother in South Carolina. He earned a BA degree in music at Presbyterian College in South Carolina, an MM in church music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and the MS and EdS degrees in counseling from UNC-Greensboro. Playing somewhere almost every Sunday since March of 1980, he has served churches in South Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina. While serving at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Pensacola, he met Megan at choir practice and later married her mother Tracy during a Sunday morning service. Their son Drayton was born in Pensacola in 2000. Alan loves working with musicians and singers of all ages. At St. John's choirs include singers from ages 5 to 85, and ringers from age 12 to "won't tell you!" Teaching, pastoring, and performing with members of the various choirs are the joys of his work, along with the baking of cakes. He currently serves on the board of the national Association of Anglican Musicians and with Tracy manages a choir training course for the Royal School of Church Music in America here in Charlotte each summer.