St. Andrew’s Welcomes John Kirk
/John Kirk - Organist and Choirmaster
Author: The Rev. Jimmy Grace
Dear friends,
I am pleased to announce that John Kirk has accepted the invitation to join our growing staff as St. Andrew's organist and choirmaster. We look forward to welcoming him for his first Sunday with us on September 5, 2015.
At St. Andrew's, John will play organ and piano and direct the choir for Sunday services, funerals, weddings, and other special services. Additionally, John will lead weekly choir rehearsals, coach individual singers during the week, and start a children's choir program. John will work closely with me as we plan liturgy for Sundays and special services throughout the year.
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John currently serves as Director of Music at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dickinson, Texas, a position he has held since August 2011. While at Holy Trinity, John started a children's choir and expanded the adult choir from 6 to 13 members.
From a young age, John has shown a strong interest in music, although it took several years for him to find his true musical passion: church music. Growing up Lutheran, John was always very interested and active in church, and this continued when he attended Capital University where he majored in both religion and music. While John's primary musical training was in double bass, he began playing the organ when he was 20 at his home church. He soon found himself spending more time at the organ console and less time behind the bass.
After moving to Houston following college, John began studying church music with Robert Brewer and assisting in the music program at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Houston, singing in the choir, leading sectional rehearsals, playing services, and directing the high school boys ensemble. In 2011 he was confirmed in the Episcopal Church.
John and his wife Sally are expecting their first child in early November. John is also currently working toward his Master's Degree in Organ Performance at the University of Houston Moores School of Music.
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I first met John during his tenure at Epiphany, and since then have been impressed with his talent, humility, and sense of humor. Please keep John and Sally in your prayers as they begin their transition to St. Andrew's.
God's Peace,
Jimmy