St. john's staff

Jason West, Director of Music Ministries

Jason West, who joined St. John’s as Interim Director of Music Ministries in Fall 2023, was called to be St. John’s Director of Music Ministries in April 2024.

Originally from Bismarck, ND, Jason began studying organ at age 12 and continued his study of organ, voice, and choral conducting at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, receiving a bachelor’s degree in organ and voice. After graduating and spending a year in New York City, Jason moved to Washington, D.C. He made his concert debut in a solo recital at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has played concerts throughout the US as well as in Italy, Switzerland, France, and England. In addition to his solo organ performances, he has been featured with several orchestras as organist, singer, and conductor.

Jason brings a range of skills and experiences to the role, having served in both interim and permanent organist/choirmaster roles at various Episcopal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches in the Metro DC area, West and East coasts over the past 30+ years. He has built, taught, and directed adult choirs, Chorister choirs, and handbell choirs; and is familiar with a wide range of choral literature, both sacred and secular.

He lived in England for 13 years and while there, he switched careers to become an IT Trainer. His music degree became beneficial when he became a trainer for Sibelius, a music notation software, teaching their courses held in London. He uses Sibelius for his own organ and choral compositions and arrangements, which have been commissioned by various churches including Washington National Cathedral. He combines his love of music, technology, and teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Washington Adventist University, Takoma Park, MD, teaching Sibelius to music majors.

Jason directs and plays the organ for the choirs for our 9:00 am service (St. John’s Singers) and 11:15 service (St. John’s Choir) as well as for children’s choir (Chorister Choir) and the handbell choir (Norwood Ringers). He is building on the musical tradition at St John’s and looks to expand the program by attracting new participants who want to be part of the exciting music ministry at St John’s.