"Those who sing pray twice."
Saint Augustine

One of our Core Values at St John's is to worship God with beauty and joy. Thusly music is an integral part of our liturgy on Sundays and Principal Feasts like Christmas, Epiphany, and Ascension, and during the Paschal Triduum of Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Easter Vigil).

Our musical anchor is the classic Anglican tradition. Most of our hymns, therefore, come from the official Hymnal 1982, and our historic pipe organ plays a prominent role. This does not stop us, however, from enjoying the best of alternative forms, such as Taizé and the "praise chorus" genre on a fairly frequent basis.

In addition to our organ, we are blessed with a fine six-foot Kawai baby grand piano, a set of Schulmerich handbells, and a Yamaha Clavinova synthesizer.

At the principal liturgy, our music is led by the choir, which consists of ten to fifteen regular volunteer singers, supplemented on special occasions by several singers from the greater Stockton community who are enthusiastic about what we're doing musically at St John's. The choir sings works that range from Renaissance polyphony to spirituals to Anglican cathedral anthems to challenging contemporary pieces.

Every year, during Advent, the choir leads us in a Festival of Lessons and Carols, showcasing some of the loveliest Christmas music ever written and representing a wide variety of styles. The Triduum in Holy Week is adorned with a veritable feast of moving choral music.

Our Filipino/Asian congregation also has a developing choir, accompanied by piano and/or guitar, and specializing in music from the renewal and Filipino folk traditions. Presently, The third Saturday of each month, our 5pm Saturday service is enhanced with filipino music.

Our organist is Dr Stanworth Beckler.

Since its inaugural concert in 2002, the St John's Chamber Orchestra Festival (held in late January) has been a much-anticipated event on the Stockton cultural scene. Founded by retired University of the Pacific music professor and Conservatory dean, George Buckbee, the festival is now led by Paul Kimball.