John C. Martin, Tenor

Singer / Composer / Arranger / Clinician

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 both a tenor and alto by choral ensembles including Opus 8, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and the Compline Choir of Saint John’s Episcopal Church. He is a past staff alto at the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal), and he is a founding (and current) member of Highland Consort, an early music chamber choir under the direction of Dr. Frederick Teardo.

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 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, frequently providing new works for the Compline Choir of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tallahassee and for St. Peter’s Cathedral, Tallahassee. He also holds membership in numerous professional organizations including ACDA, NATS, EMA, NARAS, AGO, and FMEA.

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 formerly Director of Bands at Marianna High School and Director of Music at St. Louis Catholic Church, Tallahassee. John is currently the Associate Director of Music & AV Administrator at St. Peter’s Cathedral (ACNA), Tallahassee FL, where he directs the Compline Choir.