The St. John’s Music Search Committee and Vestry are thrilled to announce the appointment of Anthony Pandolfe, Jr. as the Church’s next Director of Music, effective January 1, 2022.

Most recently, organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Stafford Springs, and music minister for Eastern Connecticut State University’s Campus Ministry in Willimantic, Anthony has been our substitute organist and choir director several times this Fall. Anthony enjoys a diverse musical career as an organist, pianist, conductor, educator, and arranger. He maintains an active freelance career and extensively accompanies choirs and soloists, performing across the world in notable locations as St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and close to home, such as the Goodspeed Opera House. Anthony has performed piano concertos with the Hartford Symphony and the Willimantic Symphony. As a conductor, he has worked with almost every genre, from opera to symphonic band. He is currently the Director of Bands at Edwin O. Smith High School, Storrs, and has held positions with the school music departments in Middletown and Portland and the fine arts department at Eastern Connecticut State University. Anthony is active as a servant leader with the Greater Middletown Chorale, Connecticut Music Educators’ Association, and Charter Oak Music Festival. An accomplished musical arranger, Anthony arranged the brass salute to our armed forces, complementing his organ accompaniment as a postlude to our special Veteran’s Day service last month – you may listen below!

In addition to musical competency — which the Search Committee considered “the price of admission” — Anthony brings compelling energy, vision, collegiality, organizational skill, pastoral sensitivity, and appreciation for Episcopal liturgy and music’s role in enhancing worship. He is especially excited about opportunities to develop our choral talent and create rewarding volunteer experiences, explore new musical pathways at the 5:00 Sunday service, and build a children’s choir.

Having recently relocated back home to Middletown to be closer to their families, Anthony and his wife, Justine, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child in March. Although his first Sunday with us will be on January 2, you will have an opportunity to congratulate and welcome him on Sunday, December 12, when he will substitute at the bench for a final time.