Ian Witthoeft was appointed as the Organist & Music Director at St. Peter’s, starting in November, 2007 . Mr. Witthoeft comes to St. Peter’s with an unconventional background resounding in an old world education. As an apprentice for five years with Steve Giammarino, senior organist and choirmaster within the Episcopal diocese, Mr. Witthoeft attended County College of Morris, majoring in music with studies in piano and vocal performance. At the college, he performed regularly with a piano, violin and cello ensemble. He also arranged and performed several Italian Art Songs for the CCM Chamber Ensemble. Mt. Witthoeft was an accompanist to the CCM Chamber Choir and was the only student selected to be the duty accompanist for performance examinations.
Mr. Witthoeft started his career in music ministry within the Episcopal Church, Grace Church in Newark, singing alto in the Choir of Men and Boys and serving as a cantor. He also volunteered his time as a Music Leader for the Diocese of Newark Youth Ministry events. Then in 2001, was called to his first position as Minister of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Kearny where he expanded the Senior Choir, rebuilt the Youth Choir, served as the Assistant Youth Minister, and also was part of the committee that created an innovative contemporary multimedia worship service.
In 2002, he embarked in a new ministry within the Diocese of Newark, focused on bringing young adults, aged 19 to 30 years, back to church. The event, aptly named “Vocare”, Latin for “to call”, had Mr. Witthoeft serving as both Music and Communications Director.
Mr. Witthoeft looks to continue the musical traditions of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church by encouraging people of all ages to join in making a “joyful noise unto the Lord”. “It is important to remember that composers wrote hymns and anthems to illuminate the texts of the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, we should use that thought to worship together through song. It has been proven that people are more likely to remember words to a song than just words themselves”, said Mr. Witthoeft. He will also be looking to develop community events such as choral and chamber music concerts.
Currently, Mr. Witthoeft is the Operations Manager at Jason Craig Entertainment, one of the leading Live Event Entertainment companies in the New York Metro Area providing entertainment services for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate and Social Events.
Mr. Witthoeft performs with various chamber ensembles and choirs throughout North Jersey. He is an active freelance accompanist, maintaining his involvement within the Diocese of Newark Youth Ministries and the Vocare community.
