Throughout the 20th century, musical direction in the parish was characterized by the long tenures of three principal organist-choirmasters. In January 2003, St. John's was blessed to welcome organist and choirmaster Dr. Richard A. Konzen. A faculty member at Grove City College (Pennsylvania), where he teaches organ and directs the college orchestra, Dick is a graduate of DePauw University and earned his two master's degrees and doctorate from Yale University. When he helped reorganize the Bach Society, a community choral group in Grove City, it grew from 20 singers to more than 60. He is also an active composer and recitalist.
The musical program of St. John's Episcopal Church encompasses a traditional organ and choral Anglican repertory extending from ancient plainsong to some of the more innovative liturgical music of our time.
The parish is located in an urban environment in the heart of the Youngstown State University campus and enjoys a close association with that institution, particularly with The Dana School of Music in The College of Fine and Performing Arts, whose students and faculty participate in our services.
St. John's Choir and its extension in Youngstown Musica Sacra regularly perform the sacred choral/orchestral repertory in both concert and liturgy in addition to the weekly service music. The fifty-rank, three-manual, electropneumatic Schlicker organ was installed in 1966. An antiphonal division including a horizontal Spanish style trumpet was added in 1999 as part of the Centennial celebration of our Wick Avenue church building.
The Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival
Founded in 1961 by Dr. Ronald Gould, this pageant takes place on the Sunday closest to Epiphany and involves over 100 members of the parish, university, and community. Replete with colorful costumes and religious and secular Christmas music, the sacred-mythic drama plays to two sold-out performances every year. The performance is preceded by a roast-beef dinner prepared by parishioners for which there is a charge to cover costs. For ticket information, or if you would like to be involved, please contact the church office at stjohn@cboss.com