Music Ministry

Joe simmons

Joe Simmons

Director of Music

Joe Simmons is a nationally recognized music minister, speaker, and concert performer, originally from South Texas. He serves as Principal Cantor at the Church of St. John the Baptist in New York City and travels regularly to parishes and dioceses throughout the United States presenting concerts of inspirational music and clinics for cantors and lectors. A frequent speaker at pastoral music and liturgy conferences, he is author of The Work of the Cantor (World Library Publications) and co-author of Cantor Basics, 2nd Edition (OCP Publications). An active recording artist, Joe’s solo CDs, Singing Out and Sudden Waves, are widely used in healing ministries. Other recordings include Psalms and Ritual Music (director and cantor) for WLP, and guest solos on Byzantine Rite composer Roman Hurko’s recording of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with the Schola Cantorum of Chicago and Loving You: Sacred Folk Songs by Miriam Therese Winter, with artists that include Janis Ian, Melba Moore, and John McDermott. Joe’s performance background includes international tours, Off-Broadway, and solo shows. In 2008, he was honored to serve as psalmist for the papal Mass in Yankee Stadium. For information on Joe Simmons’ recordings, concerts, and workshops, please visit www.JoeSimmons.net.

Music by Joe Simmons

Sudden waves

Sudden Waves

From uncertain strife to unexpected grace, Joe Simmons' new CD, Sudden Waves offers a rich collection of musical poetry to accompany the spiritual journey. Listen anew to American inspirational classics like "Wayfaring Stranger," "His Eye is on the Sparrow," and "I'll Fly Away," along with evocative contemporary works including "Pay Attention" and "Song of Bernadette". Buy now »

Signing out

Singing Out

Earthy and transcendent, sensual and sacred. These are words used to describe Singing Out, the debut album by New York City vocalist Joe Simmons. The album features songs that reflect an inclusive and reconciling spirituality by some of today's most progressive and poetic writers of religious music. Buy now »