St John's organists were:

• 1923-1926 - Mrs. V.A.M. Kemp



• 1927-1958 - Mr. L.S. Virr



• 1958-1986 - Ewen McCuaig



• 1986-2017 - Gordon Johnston

In 1923, Nance Kemp became the organist. She, along with her husband Vern, was an active force in church music in Ottawa until her death in the 1970's. At the Vestry Meeting of January 21, 1924, concerns were raised about the financial state of the parish. The treasurer responded that he had signed a contract with the new organist at a lower salary than that which the former incumbent of the position received.

In January, 1927 Lawrence Virr became the organist of St John's, a post which he held for over 30 years. In 1947, the parish began broadcasting the 11:00 a.m. service over radio station CKCO 1310, at a cost of $150 per month. Music for the 9:30 family service was provided by a girls choir, robed in blue, directed by Miss Beryl Curd, and a boys choir, directed by Mr. Charles Inder, the volunteer organist for 9:30. The Choir Mother was Mrs. L.P. Little, whose son, Rich, sang in the boys choir; he went on to become a famous Hollywood comedian.

The Boys Choir, 1945.
Notice the organist seated at the organ keyboard behind the choir,
with a mirror overhead to see choristers on the other side.

In 1948, the Warrior's chapel was constructed, the chancel was lengthened, and the large window over the altar was broken up into three small lancets. (The two remaining pieces, the Alpha and Omega, were sent to the church at Sioux Lookout.) A parish "handbook" was published in which the rector, Northcote Burke, refers to Lawrie Virr as "the spark-plug of the parish organization". He notes that Mr. Virr is looking for more singers in the choir, "especially now when there is room for some more voices in the new chancel." The accompanying photo shows 27 members in the choir. The new parish buildings were built at a cost of $120,000. The parish raised $69,000 from the congregation and mortgaged $50,000, on which they paid $325 per month. The rector proposed the establishment of a "dollar-a-month club" for which he sought 500 members so they could pay the mortgage and finish the chapel.

The choir in 1950,
with Northcote Burke, rector, and Lawrie Virr at the organ

Lawrie Virr was very popular, and very active in parish life. On occasion, if he disagreed with the actions of the rector and wardens, he would threaten to quit. Apparently they got tired of this trick, and when he pulled it in the spring of 1958, Corporation passed a motion to accept Mr. Virr's resignation.