Music

MUSIC MINISTRIES at FIRST BAPTIST

You have to hear us to believe us! Click here to listen to our organist Frank Breazeale playing.

Sanctuary Choir

Our sanctuary choir sings in our 11:00 a.m. traditional worship service, as well as at other times throughout the year. This choir is a diverse group of people who share a variety of musical interests and span a broad age range. This choir sings an assortment of different styles of music, all of which are chosen to add meaning and depth to our congregational worship. Choir rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in our choir room. Please feel free to come and join in the fun and fellowship as we lift our voices in honor of our Lord God! To join, please contact Music Minister Phyllis Boykin at 261-3403.

Dayclear Praise Team

Our Dayclear Praise Team helps lead the contemporary Dayclear service held at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. This group of youth and adults enjoys the praise and worship style that characterizes this service. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. led by Dayclear Worship Leader Christy Williamson.

Preschool and Children's Choirs

FBC is pleased to offer four music groups for preschoolers and children. Sing and Play (for ages 2-3 and parent) meets each Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:00 pm. This group is led by Julia Goldie Day, our Minister to Children. Preschool Music (for ages 4-5) meets each Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:00 pm. Leaders for this group are Linda Breazeale, Nell Hawk, and Phyllis Boykin. Music Makers (grades 1-3) and Young Musicians (grades 4-6) meet each Wednesday from 6:00 - 6:45 pm. Leaders are Tequilla Stokes, Jean Geddings, Mary Anne Hayes, and Phyllis Boykin. The Young Musicians are learning to play the choir chimes as a part of their Wednesday evening music activities. Music reading is a part of the activities for ages 4 - grade 6. These groups use the Stepping Stones curriculum by Choristers Guild. We welcome children from our community to join in our preschool and children's music groups.

Our curriculum for age 4 - grade 6 is Stepping Stones, a music education curriculum for the church. It has the following goals:

* Each child will learn to sing accurately

* Each child will develop her/his singing voice for use in worship within an age-appropriate context

* Each child will learn to read musical notation

* Each child will learn hymns within the ecumenical repertoire

* Each child will experience the general seasons of the Christian year within the context of music

In order to meet these goals, the curriculum is influenced by the music education philosophy of Zoltan Kodaly. This influence can be seen in several ways:

* Use of a general sequencing of melodic and rhythmic concepts throughout the year based on Kodaly’s methodology

* Use of a system of solfege supported by hand signs that reinforce visually and kinesthetically melodic movement

* Use of folk song material, much of which is based on the pentatonic (five-note) scale

* Use of children’s singing games

Ages 2-3 will explore the musical concepts of high/low, up/down, fast/slow, and loud/soft through singing, instrument play, manipulatives, moving, sound imitation, and stories.

Music Makers (grades 1-3) and Young Musicians (grades 4-6) will have goals to share music in worship several times during the school year. Our preschool music is not performance oriented as that is what is best for them. We will offer some open house sessions during the year to allow parents/grandparents to experience our preschool music (ages 4-5) activities with us.

Keenage Choir

Our Keenage Choir is led by Mrs. Phyllis Boykin, and is made up of senior adults with a spirit for worship through music. In addition to seasonal presentations within the church setting, this group travels to a variety of places in the community to present their musical praise to others who may not otherwise have a chance to hear and take part in worshipping God through music. Rehearsals are Monday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. in the choir room.

Handbells

As part of our music ministry here at First Baptist Church, we also feature a three octave handbell choir that enhances our worship service periodically throughout the year. This group is also made up of a variety of ages and plays a diverse selection of music. Mary Anne Hayes is the director for the handbell choir and this group practices on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 pm.