Music
The Music Ministry of First Baptist Church provides opportunities for all to participate in making worship music of many styles through singing choirs for all age groups, handbells, and vocal and instrumental ensembles. In addition to worship, the many musical talents at First Baptist Church are used in concerts, festivals, musicals, and special fellowships within and outside the church.
CHildren’s Choir Program
The Children’s Choirs of First Baptist Church teach children to express faith in God through singing, listening, moving, and playing instruments. The choirs meet on Sunday evenings at 4:30 pm from August to May. We use the Growing in Grace Children’s Choir Curriculum that is published by Celebrating Grace. Our Children’s Choir Coordinator is Teresa Granger.
Brownie Bear Preschool Choir for ages 3, 4 and 5
Music Makers for grades K, 1 and 2
Joyful Singers for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6
Youth Choir
The Youth Choir is open to students in grades 7 through 12 and meets Sundays at 4:00 pm from September to May. The choir performs choral music in a variety of styles and genres and provides students an opportunity to use their God given talents in worship leadership. The Youth Choir also participates in the CBF Georgia Youth Choir Festival.
Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir is the flagship choir of the Music Ministry and provides music each week for the 11:00 am worship service. The choir sings a variety of church music in all different styles and genres. The choir also presents at least two major choral works each year with orchestral accompaniment. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Music Suite.
Adult Handbell Choir
The Adult Handbell Choir rings three octaves of Malmark Handbells and rehearses Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm from September to May. The choir rings one Sunday a month in worship and is open to adults with music reading ability and in consultation with the director.
Instrumentalists
Instrumentalists are used frequently in worship in brass and woodwind ensembles, on hymn and anthem obbligatos and accompaniments, and as solo instruments on preludes and offertories. Please consult with the Minister of Music if you would like to be a part of these worship leadership opportunities.
Woodruff Memorial Organ
The M.P. Möller Organ Opus 11166 was a gift to First Baptist Church Athens, Georgia in 1976 by the Metropolitan Foundation in loving memory of Nell Hodgson Woodruff.
The organ renovation project of 2014 was made possible by a generous matching grant of $100,000 to First Baptist Church in honor and memory of Robert W. and Nell Hodgson Woodruff by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
Choral Scholars
First Baptist Church has a Choral Scholars ministry which offers two $2000 (yearly) scholarship positions to two college students for the academic year. The positions allow students the experience of singing with an accomplished church choir, hopefully fostering a lifelong involvement in music ministry.
Description
The Choral Scholars ministry offers two $2000 (yearly) scholarship positions to two UGA students for the academic year. The positions allow students the experience of singing with an accomplished church choir, hopefully fostering a lifelong involvement in music ministry. In addition, there are both formal and informal opportunities to explore the full meaning of music within the Christian faith. Choral Scholars are encouraged to be active in the college ministry of the church, enjoying the support of a “home away from home” church family.
Do I Qualify?
Choral Scholars must be actively enrolled in a degree program at UGA. Participation requires full membership in the Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church which includes a weekly rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday morning worship from 10:45 a.m. – 12 noon. Additional activities include two seasonal concerts (December and March). The schedule begins mid August continuing through early December, and resumes early January continuing through the end of April. In this period absences from 6 rehearsals and 6 services will be permitted.
Application
Step One
Complete application below
Step Two
An audition will be scheduled with you upon receipt of your application. Audition requirements include one prepared solo, sight reading and aural evaluation.
Step Three
Positions will be offered in August.
Contract Highlights
The First Baptist Church of Athens, Georgia would agree to pay a scholarship in the amount of $2000 to UGA on behalf of the student for the academic year. The scholarship would be paid in two $1000 installments at the end of each semester, following the completion by the student of the stated duties.
Application
Complete application