Jon Thibo

Director of Music Ministry

Hello! My name is Jon Thibo, and I am the Directory of Music Ministry here at St. Columbkille! You can see and hear me all weekend long leading the congregation in song.

Having no formal training at the time, I began serving the church as an organist, cantor, and choir member in 1977 at my home parish, St. Ann, in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am now celebrating forty-five years of music ministry within the church! 2022 marks my fifteenth year as Director of Music Ministry at St. Columbkille Church, Parma, Ohio. I direct seven choirs here, play the organ, piano, and handbells, cantor, and often can be found directing from the piano itself! 

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from the University of Indianapolis, Cum Laude, “With Distinction.” I have studied voice under Elaine Norwood and Jena Adrianson, piano with Dr. Richard Ratliff and Dale Reith, as well as conducting with Dr. Paul Krasnovky and Dr. George Weimer. I was a choral director in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools for sixteen years before finally taking up the role of full-time church Director of Music in 2002. I have performed in The Stephen Foster Story, The Fantasticks, The Music Man, South Pacific, Cosi Fan Tutte, La Boheme, and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as many other school and community theater and opera productions. I am currently treasurer of the Cleveland Chapter of the National Pastoral Musicians, and DMMD Division of that professional organization as well as past member of ACDA and MENC. 

In 2014, I took our choirs and guests on tour to Ireland. In 2018, we landed in Rome, and I became a rare person, having started my organ skills on a pink tabletop organ my mother purchased for herself, and moving up to playing Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome. It was a highlight of my career for certain. This fall 2022, I will journey with the choirs again for a tour of Germany and Austria. These trips build great friendships and show others how blessed we are here at St. Columbkille by so many amazing volunteer musicians. In my spare time, I enjoy scary movies and good thrilling fiction books as well as spending time with family and friends. 

Email: musicstcolumbkille@gmail.com

Phone: 216-524-1987