MUSIC MINISTRY

Instrumental/Keyboard Division

The Instrumental/Keyboard Division includes the FBC Orchestra (adults and youth) and stretches into smaller ensembles as well as a fully graded handbell choir program.

Pipe Organ & Keyboards

The primary instrument of worship in the First Baptist Church sanctuary is a 76-rank pipe organ built in 1965 by Casavant Fréres, Ltd. of Quebec, Canada. The organ is afour manual instrument capable of playing an extreme range of organ literature, provide dynamic leadership in the accompaniment of congregational singing, choral anthems, instrumental and vocal solos . A Steinway concert grand is also used to enhance the worship at FBC. Other keyboard instruments of note at FBC are the 12-rank Reuter pipe organ in the chapel, a six- foot Steinway piano in the sanctuary and a six-foot/three Yamaha piano in the choir room.

FBC Orchestra

The FBC Orchestra seeks to live out the mission of First Baptist Church, Huntsville: Loving God, Serving Others, and Growing Disciples. Members of the orchestra come from many walks of life----teachers, engineers, doctors, civil servants, police officers, students (graduate, collegiate, and high school), social workers, musicians (active and retired), etc. Each Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. this diverse group gathers for a rehearsal time that ushers forth not only in beautiful music but also in a deeper sense of worship, fellowship and ministry to and through the ensemble. It is a group that experiences”family” as we rehearse and perform together. Experienced players sit next to inexperienced players and help to foster the development of God-given talents. Prayer times allow the group members to share in the joys and sorrows of each other. Devotional messages can also be found in our approach to rehearsal time every week. Musical and spiritual challenges are continually placed before this organization!

The FBC Orchestra provides a unique opportunity to instrumentalists in Huntsville. Tackling a wide range of literature from the classical to the contemporary, the orchestra regularly assists with worship leadership at FBC and performs at special functions such as the Living Christmas Tree and Hymn Festivals. The orchestra usually gives a full concert each year. The group is open to high school students through adults. An Orchestra Council (rotating membership) helps to guide and facilitate the ministry of the group.

Ensembles and Soloists from the FBC Orchestra appear regularly in worship services of First Baptist Church. Growing out of the orchestra is a Woodwind Choir, the First Baptist Brass, flute ensembles, a woodwind quintet, trombone choir, and various smaller groupings.

A SAMPLING OF REPERTOIRE AND PROJECTS
FROM THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS:

Orchestra Alone:
My Jesus, I Love Thee (arr. Cranfill)
Morning Praise (Winkler)
Were You There (arr. Dunn)
On a Hymn tune of Philip Bliss (Holsinger)
How Great Thou Art (arr. Dickinson)
My Eternal King (Marshall/orch. Krogstad)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. Winkler)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. Cranfill)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. Dunn)
Fanfare and Processional (arr. Kirkland)
Passacaglia on KIRKEN (D. Smith)
Enigma Variations….NIMROD (Elgar)
Festive Overture (Shostakovitch)
Be Still My Soul (arr. Kirkland)
First Suite (Holst)
Gloria (Mozart/P. Allen)
Beautiful Saviour (arr. Winkler)
Toccata (Frescobaldi)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (arr. Kirkland)
My Heart Is Filled with Longing (Bach/Reed)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (arr. Kirkland)
Chorale Prelude on “Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart” (C.T. Smith)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. Lawrence)
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (D. Smith)
Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes (Vaughan Williams)
Finale from Symphony No. 1 (Kalinnikov)

Handbell Choirs

Handbell choirs provide an instrumental experience for all age groups (children, youth, and adults). Ringing handbells opens the doors of ministry, musical training, and worship leadership. The small group atmosphere also strengthens fellowship.

Many of the adult ringers are also actively involved in other community organizations such as The Heritage Ringers of Huntsville.

48-BELL CARILLON TOWER

FBC also houses a 48-bell carillon (Verdin) in a free-standing tower. The carillon is playable from a mechanical console in the tower directly below the bells. Two-octaves of the carillon are playable from a small electronic keyboard in the music office and also from the organ console. An electronic clock controls playing the carillon's Westminster chimes along with other special effects such as the pealing of the bells for special occasions.

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