Kathy Carlson is no stranger at the cantor stand, having cantored for St. John's since 1980. Her earliest vocal experience was performing with her four sisters ("The O'Brien Sisters") in her hometown of  Byron, MN.   Move over, Lennon Sisters! Kathy's two sons both attended school at St. John's, and she and husband Len were very active in the marriage program here during the 1980's.

Kathy is a valued long-time leader in our choir, and she also enjoys singing with the Schola.  She brings unsurpassed devotion to her ministry here, with a profound understanding of the cantor's role in engendering prayer. She continues to be moved by the "powerful response of the congregation" at times during the liturgy, and by how she feels their prayers and support. 

Vince Mans is the sixth son of a musical family. His father was a long-time music educator in Blooming Prairie, MN.

Vince has been heavily involved in school and church choirs since childhood, and was briefly a vocal major in college. Lately, he has enjoyed soloing in local St. Anthony Community Theatre productions. Vince is a stalwart of our bass section in the choir, and he also enjoys the Schola.

"Music is my passion, a source of strength and comfort for me."   

Vince's profession is social work. He and wife Patty have three sons, Joe, John, and Jacob, who are frequent altar servers for parish liturgies at St. John's. 

Candy Stanton is our only cantor who actually volunteers to serve at the 7:30 a.m. "sunrise" mass!  (Her husband, David, is a frequent lector for it.)  She also sings in our adult choir and the Schola. 

After many years as a "navy wife,"  Candy has enjoyed being settled here for the past eight years. Candy and David have two grown daughters, Kirsten and Angela, and are new grandparents as well.

Her "day job" is as a legal secretary in downtown Minneapolis. In addition to music, she enjoys sewing, needlework, and gardening all summer.   

Larry Pecchia brings first-rate experience to his cantoring here, having previously served at the Basilica of St. Mary, as well as the Cathedral of St. Paul. He is a valued leader in our adult choir, and he especially enjoys singing in the Schola. 

"My musical preference is Gregorian chant and early polyphonic choral works."

Larry is a natural who initiated his musical experience relatively recently.  He also studies the trumpet.  Larry is Northeast Minneapolis born and bred.   

"St. John's has been a wonderful experience for me. The range of musical styles that we perform has added much to my choral knowledge." 

Ann Noble is a warm and familiar presence at the cantor stand, having cantored here since the mid-80's. After many years in the adult choir, lately she has been singing with our contemporary ensembles, Earthen Vessels and Wild Honey & the Locusts. Ann is also a frequent cantor for funerals, and she will happily oblige you with her rendition of "How Great Thou Art" upon request. 

Ann was raised in the small southern Minnesota town of Blooming Prairie, the only girl holding her own among six brothers. She was very involved in school and church choirs growing up (singing with the brothers of one of our other cantors, Vince Mans). Ann came of age in the early Catholic folk movement as part of "The Churchyard Singers," winning a high school talent contest singing folk songs! Ann possesses a degree in home economics from the U of M, and she works for Marshall Field's as a Culinary Professional. She is the proud parent of Lauren and Nick Chupita, both of whom attended school at St. John's and Totino-Grace.