 In 1745, Antes entered the Moravian Boys Boarding School, where he received music education from Johann Christoph Pyrlaeus.Although Pyrlaeus might now be first-known as a teacher of Antes, he was the founder of the Bethlehem "collegium musicum", a capable singer, instrumentalist, and organist, and was also a missionary to Native Americans.In 1752, John entered the boys school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and in 1760, was admitted into the Single Brethren's choir, also in Bethlehem.