Jason Largent, Organist and Choirmaster

 St. James is pleased to welcome Jason Largent as our newly appointed Organist/Choirmaster. Jason will direct the choir, play the organ, and provide musical planning for all aspects of worship. In addition to his position at St. James, he is the Choral Director at Killingly High School in Dayville, CT.

 A native of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, he has held similar church music positions, most recently at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ellicott City, Maryland. Jason is a graduate of Shenandoah University’s, Conservatory of Music, with a Master of Music Education (2005) and a Bachelor of Sacred Music (1997.) He became interested in the organ and choral music at a young age. 

 Jason is very excited to get to know the congregation and share his passion for helping to create inspiring worship experiences. He resides in   nearby Norwich with his husband, Dr. Joseph Teitz (PharmD) and their Shihtzu Sammy. Jason is the father of three grown children, Gaven, Reed  and Claudia (Eyre.) 

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 The church maintains a strong music program, anchored by its fine organ, a 4-manual Ernest M. Skinner, Opus 220, which was built in 1914 and   reconditioned in 2002. The sanctuary also holds a Mason & Hamlin piano, and the choir room is equipped with a Steinway baby grand piano.  

 The St. James music library is extensive, having been collected over many decades, and includes access to the scores of The Anglican Singers, artists-in-residence at St. James.

 The Adult Choir consists of approximately 15 dedicated choristers with extensive experience in choral singing and good sight-reading skills. Several of the choristers also sing with local auditioned groups, such as The Anglican Singers.

 St. James has long hosted both The Anglican Singers as guest artists-in-residence, and numerous organ recitals sponsored by the local section   of the AGO.

 Southeastern Connecticut is rich in music, as home to Musical Masterworks, the Connecticut Early Music Festival, Salt Marsh Opera, and the   Eastern Connecticut Symphony, conducted by Toshiyuki Shimada. There are numerous local, auditioned volunteer choirs such as the Eastern   Connecticut Symphony Chorus, the Mystic River Chorale and, slightly further afield, the Chorus of Westerly. Two music schools reside in   Southeastern Connecticut: the Thames Valley Music School, on the campus of Connecticut College in Neimage for decorative purposes.