John performing "Bright Is the Ring of Words" from Ralph Vaughan Williams' song cycle "Songs of Travel" at his Master's Recital.

R. Vaughan Williams - Bright Is the Ring of Words (from Songs Of Travel)

John Martin, tenor, is highly sought after throughout the United States for his versatility, clarity, and nuance. As a soloist, he has received high praise for his interpretation of early music, including numerous Bach cantatas and the famed Mass in B Minor, Handel’s Messiah, and others. His exceptional upper register has also been featured in equally well-received performances as an alto soloist ranging from Bach’s Magnificat in D to Handel’s Messiah and Charpentier’s Te Deum.

Aside from early music, John has had roles as Nanki-Poo in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado, The Patient in the premiere of Ten Yeen Chong’s The Abyss, and others spanning the common practice to contemporary eras.

In addition to his work as a soloist, John is regularly engaged as a chorister (both tenor and alto) by ensembles such as Opus 8, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and the Choir of Saint John’s Episcopal. Until recently, he held a staff alto position at the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Birmingham AL under Dr. Frederick Teardo, and he is a founding (and current) member of Highland Consort, an early music chamber choir.

Not to be limited to the classical realm, John was also featured on NBC’s The Sing-Off in 2010 as a tenor and music arranger in Street Corner Symphony, a professional, 6-man contemporary a cappella group. Street Corner Symphony was voted runner-up on the show by millions of American viewers, and John toured the United States, Canada, and Europe with them before stepping down in 2013 to return to school. During his time with the group he was humbled to perform with many popular singers including Alison Kraus, Neil Diamond, and Ben Folds.

John is an acclaimed choral and contemporary a cappella clinician, arranger, and composer in addition to his performance work, and he holds membership in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Early Music America (EMA), and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). He is also the past Alabama State Representative for the A Cappella Education Association (AEA).

John holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religion and Music (Voice Performance) from Huntingdon College in Montgomery AL and the Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He has studied voice with Dr. Susan Fleming and the late Dr. James W. Glass. He is currently the Director of Bands at Marianna High School in Marianna FL.

R. Vaughan Williams - Bright Is the Ring of Words (from Songs Of Travel)

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