DR. JOHN BATCHMAN – WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN A.M.E. ZION CHURCH’S MUSICAL LEADER

November 2024, St. Louis, MO.., Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, in St. Louis, MO, has a history of great music and musicians.  Over the years, the Cathedral Choir, Gospel Chorus, Young Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Inspirational Choir, Gospel Choir, and present-day Voices of Zion, have had talented and renowned accompanists. One of whom is Dr. John Batchman.

Dr. Batchman joined the Washington Metropolitan Music Ministry in 2003 as the accompanist for the Cathedral Choir whose primary genre was anthems and spirituals. In 2009, the church’s principal organist, Albert Reid, retired and Dr. Batchman assumed the role. Dr. Batchman completed his undergraduate work at the St. Louis Institute of Music, earning degrees in Music Theory and Composition. Today, the institute is known as the Community Music School, a department of Webster University in St. Louis. Upon graduation, Dr. Batchman earned a Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) from Washington University. As he was preparing to continue his education, he received an Individual Augmentee, an order for deployment. He appealed the order to continue his studies;  the appeal was denied and he reported for duty in the United States Army serving in Vietnam. His MAT degree was mailed to him. During his tour of duty, he served as the only African American Chaplain’s Assistant.  He formed and directed the First Field Force Chapel Choir in Nha Trang, Vietnam, and was the organist for 3 different denominations every Sunday.  Dr. Batchman extended his tour of duty. He was discharged honorably and awarded the Vietnam Service Award. 

Upon returning from active duty, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Music Education at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, with an emphasis on African American music. He was the Music Specialist at the Webster Groves School District for 28 years. His most notable musical specialty remains his ability to play the pipe organ.

The pipe organ, coined the “king of instruments” by Mozart, is one of the oldest musical instruments and predates Christianity by approximately 1,000 years. It was more commonly played in Europe, with origins dating back to the 3^rd century BC in Ancient Greece. Today, the pipe organ has seen a dramatic market decline and is being replaced by digital or hybrid models. The American Guild of Organists estimates there is currently 1 qualified organist for every 200 paid positions. Notably, there are roughly 120,000 remaining, functional pipe organs in the entire world. One of which is housed at Washington Metropolitan and skillfully played by Dr. Batchman. 

The Washington Metropolitan organ was carefully designed to fill the 600-person capacity sanctuary at the church’s current location, which was built in 1911. In 1973, the organ was in disrepair. The late Bishop Richard Fisher contacted The Wick’s Organ Company, (established in the early 1900s) for assistance in keeping the organ functional. Wick’s maintained the historical existing pipes while adding a custom-built console with 2 keyboards and pedals, a new power supply, and a blower. Full refurbishment finished on March 26, 1974.  The newly minted organ was played for the first time in a concert featuring the Cathedral Choir on April 28, 1974. Today, the organ pipes remain the focal point of Washington Metropolitan’s sanctuary with its sound permeating throughout the building and onto the street at the hands of Dr. Batchman.

Despite his many trials and tribulations, Dr. John Batchman remains a dedicated pipe organist.  He is often called upon to play at other churches and accompany musicians throughout the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, collecting books by Black authors, and collecting anthems by Black authors, among others.  He loves spending time with his son, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren.

Washington Metropolitan is deeply honored to have him as our musical leader and thankful to Wick’s Organ Company for the preservation of a historic instrument played every Sunday.