Preschool Music Activity
We have four preschool groups for threes, fours and fives.  They are called the Melody Makers.  These groups Provide a positive experience with music and the teaching of the very basics of Christianity through music.   These formative years are critical in children’s attitudes toward music, Christianity, and the Church as a whole.  We have highly trained leadership with years of experience teaching in these groups, using some of the best preschool music curriculum to be found.  They meet at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Preschool/Children’s building.  The older groups perform at our Annual Hanging of the Green at Christmas and all groups perform at the end of the choir year in May.  Dawn Ross is the Preschool Music Coordinator.

If you would like to become an active volunteer with for any of our Music Ministries, it would be a blessing to talk with you about our ministry needs and walk you through the application process and training.

Children's Choirs
Choirs for Grades 1-6 also meet on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m.   Music Makers I is our first grade choir; Music Makers II is our second grade choir; Music Makers III is our third grade choir; Young Musicians is our fourth grade choir and Preteen Praise is our fifth and sixth grades choir.  We continue teaching music concepts and how to use music as a tool in worship, encouragement of other believers, and as a tool of evangelizing the lost.  These groups will perform occasionally through the year, as well as at our Annual Hanging of the Green at Christmas, and at the end of the year.  The older groups participate in a musical production at the end of the choir year.  Fran Manley is the Children’s Choir Coordinator.  

Choir Chime Groups
As a part of our children's choir ministry we provide beginning experience with choir chimes and handbells.  This is limited to fourth through sixth graders.  They meet at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays preceding their choir hour.

Youth Choir
Our youth choir is for both middle school and high school students.  This group sings several times during the year and occasionally combines with the worship choir.   Youth choir meets at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons.  A new outgrowth of the Youth Choir is our Youth Worshiping Hands, which is a form of worship music enhancement.  This group doesn’t meet every week, but does prepare several weeks in advance.

Handbells
Ringers need to read music.  A prerequisite for ringing is singing in corresponding choral group and congregational worship as singing is basic obedience to the command to “sing unto the Lord.”  Cheryl Entrekin is our handbell coordinator.  She has several others who assist her in leadership.  We have the following groups:   Joyful Ringers  (Youth bells) 4:15 p.m. on Wednesdays and  First Family Ringers (Adult bells) at 1:00 p.m. on Mondays.

First Family Worship Choir

For adults 18+ …

You do not have to read music!

Rehearse Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

(Childcare is provided.)

Worship Choir sings during Sunday’s

two morning services only

(Worship Teams sing during Saturday evening worship.)

The Worship Choir also does at least three musical productions a year, usually with orchestra.  You do not have to be a music reader to be a part of the choir.  We usually work from six to eight weeks ahead so if you are in rehearsal, you can learn the music.  We are seeking to continue our growth in numbers to fill the choir loft during both our morning services.

There are also opportunities for choir members to sing in auditioned worship teams who lead the Saturday evening services.

Come and join us for a great time of hard work, fun, and fellowship around worship music.

Solo and Ensembles
We have both short-term and long-term music ensembles such as duets, trios, quartets, sextets or larger ensembles.  We are always on the look-out for folks who are interested in this area of ministry.  Ensemble members and soloists are considered Worship Leaders and are expected to be a participating part of the total Music Ministry of First Baptist Church.

Unless there are unusual extenuating circumstances, ensemble members and soloists (youth and adult) are chosen from active choir membership.  The Minister of Music needs to hear potential soloists or ensembles and be fully aware of what they are singing.  He keeps a data base of songs that are prepared by individuals so he can effectively plan them into the different worship opportunities.

Instrumental/Orchestra
Our First Family Orchestra, which is comprised of both high school youth and adults, gives our instrumental musicians an outlet of service and worship.  They rehearse Wednesdays at 8:20 p.m. and play once a month during our two morning worship services.  We also highlight individual instruments in our worship on occasion.  We also provide opportunities for many of these to play with professional musicians for special musical productions during the course of the year.  If you have interest in this area of ministry, you should contact the office of the Minister of Music.

Worshipping Hands
This ministry uses signing and interpretive movement to enhance music and worship.  These groups are potentially made up of children, youth, and adults.  This ministry falls under the umbrella of music and worship ministry and is coordinated by Patty Duquette Turner.