Music at St. John's has a colorful and diverse past, but early records are sketchy, with the earliest reference being raising $25 to employ Mrs. F. Norvell as organist for a year beginning November 15, 1859. This was followed in 1866, when a new organ was purchased at a cost of $400 and installed on November 7.  During the Civil War, the Nave was heavily damaged, including the organ, due to use by alternating Union and Confederate armies. The original organ was hand pumped and a small stipend was paid to boys, between 30 and 50 cents per week.

In 1890 the first organ at our current location, was purchased from Henry Pilcher & Sons at a cost of $1,825. Photos show that it had an intricately stenciled pipe facade, which faced the nave. Shortly thereafter, J. W. Barrington of Meriden, CT, was engaged as organist and choirmaster, resigning in 1892, but serving until Easter 1893, stating, "...it seems impossible to bring together a choir suitable to sing necessary music."

Frederick George Sallick was contracted to be organist and choirmaster in 1895 and introduced the first vested choir at the Easter 1896 afternoon service.  

Dr. J. Henry Francis, was brought to St. John's from a post in New England in 1902 as organist and choirmaster, serving at this post until his retirement September 1, 1945. He was hired by our rector, Dr. Robert Douglas Roller, and established the men and boys choir, and later the junior choir of young girls. Dr. Frances was known and respected throughout the community and established the Kanawha chapter of the American Guild of Organists in 1944. The organization was headquartered at St. John's for many years.

In 1927, during Francis's tenure, St. John's acquired its Skinner organ and remains in use to this day. It is the last remaining Skinner in the Kanawha Valley. We have worked to preserve this fine instrument and in 2019 it was restored, with additions and tonally refurbished by Muller Pipe Organ Co, Croton OH.

Upon his retirement, Dr. Francis was made music director emeritus, receiving an honorarium and a pension. He was succeeded as choirmaster by Dr. Cecil Adams, a prominent dentist in Charleston and an accomplished musician, with Elizabeth Reese Johnson appointed as organist.  Dr. Adams formed a professional choir of adults and during this time the music literature evolved away from a Victorian/Edwardian Anglican tradition toward classic oratorio literature.  

In July 1954, Geoffrey Hobday, the new conductor of the Charleston Symphony, was given the title of organist and choirmaster but soon directed the choir only. Walter Avis, who had served as organist for the St. Cecilia girls choir for many years, became principal organist and served until retiring in 1968. He was succeeded by Brenda Maurice (Vanderford) as organist. Hobday was succeeded as choirmaster in 1964 by Dr. Thomas Wickstrom, head of public-school music for West Virginia schools. Following Wickstrom, another Charleston Symphony conductor, Charles Schiff, was hired in 1966 as choirmaster. Schiff was succeeded by Guy Owen Baker in 1968 and resigned in 1974. With his retirement, the symphonic choral era came to an end.

David Morton succeeded Baker as choirmaster and established the Anglican choral tradition which we continue to honor to this day.

Brenda Maurice (Vanderford), who had been the organist since 1968, succeeded David Morton as Organist and Choirmaster in 1977, and an assistant organist was hired. Vanderford established the Choral Evensong tradition at St. John’s and under her direction the adult, mixed-voice St. Ambrose Choir became one of the premier church choirs in West Virginia. Among the organists to serve during this time were Mary Ruth Boyd, Wayne Rollins, and Olive Meyer. Upon Vanderford’s retirement in 2012, David Morton returned as Choirmaster until 2020. Dan Faber was hired as organist in 2012 and continues to serve St. John’s in that capacity. From 2021 to 2022 Brenda Vanderford returned as Interim Choirmaster, followed by Dan Faber for a few months in 2023 as Interim Choirmaster and Director of Music. Chris Brown was hired as Choirmaster and Director of Music in 2023.