Music Ministry

 

Preschool Choir - Music and worship training is provided for the group of children ages 3 - kindergarten.  This choir meets on Sundays from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. during the Discipleship Training hour in the children's ministry wing of building B and under the direction of a lay leader.  They perform in Sunday evening worship once per quarter.

 

Basic Choir - This is a senior adult choir for those who are age 50 or older.  They meet for rehearsal on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center.  They prepare music for ministry in worship services and in elder care facilities.  This choir sings in area elder care facilities on a rotating basis on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  They also sing in evening worship services once per month.  Their repertoire consists of old hymns and Southern Gospel music.  This choir is under the direction of the minister of music.

 

First Ringers - This is a three-octave handbell ensemble of 11 ringers who meet for rehearsal on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 - 7:00.  They ring often during morning worship services during the fall, winter, and spring.  Ringers need to be able to read music and have a good sense of rhythm.  There is often a need for substitutes for rehearsals.  Rehearsals are conducted in the music suite, lower level of building B.  The minister of music serves as the director.

 

Celebration Choir - This is the main worship choir that sings every Sunday morning and most evenings.  Membership is primarily adults of all ages, but the choir is open to participation by teenagers.  Rehearsals are conducted on Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., in the music suite, lower level of building B.  There are presently 70 enrolled voices.  This choir not only serves as worship leaders but also prepares and presents musicals and pageants throughout the year under the direction of the minister of music.

 

Easter Pageant - This is a massive musical production about the birth, life, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Even though it is a musical, it requires the entire church family to be involved in either choir, cast, tech crew, or one of the numerous committees required to prepare for the five-night presentation.  Rehearsals for the cast and choir begin in January and continue weekly until the dress rehearsals just prior to the pageant.   Numerous committee chairmen recruit volunteers to complete a myriad of tasks.  The choir is open to participation by those who are not enrolled in the Celebration Choir.  The production is under the direction of the minister of music. 

 

Praise and Pie Concert -  This is the Celebration Choir's annual fall concert that is followed by a homemade pie fellowship in the Family Life Center.  For the last nine years, the choir has featured the songs included in the latest Mike Speck Trio collection.  Rehearsals are conducted on Sunday afternoons, 4:45 - 6:00, beginning July 1 and will continue each Sunday until the October 7 presentation.  Rehearsals are conducted in the music suite, lower level of building B, under the direction of the Minister of Music.  The concert choir is under the direction of the minister of music.  The concert choir is open to participation by those who are not enrolled in the Celebration Choir.

 

Soloists - First Baptist Church is blessed with numerous vocalists who have solo abilities.  Soloists and vocal combinations (duet, trio, and quartet) sing in the worship services on a rotating schedule that is published quarterly.

 

Accompanists - Ann Emory serves as the church pianist.  She is known throughout the area for her accomplished skills on the piano.  Her improvisations and chord embellishments encourage and enhance congregational singing.  Her ministry on the piano is a blessing to the church family.  She is often featured in piano solos and instrumental duets.  Vicki Newcom serves as the church organist.  She is also an accomplished pianist and is often featured in instrumental duets and handbell solos.