Music Ministry
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2
The Music Ministry of First Baptist Church Morganton glorifies God through a variety of musical opportunities for its visitors and members. The Music Ministry seeks to develop musical and spiritual growth, while providing a basic foundation and knowledge of hymnody (the music of the church), worship, and the use of music in the church. All music programs are open to both visitors and members.
Chancel Choir
The primary purpose of the Chancel Choir is to lead musical worship on a weekly basis. This group is open to anyone age eighteen and older. Rehearsals are weekly on Wednesday evening during the school year, immediately following Family Night programs. Summer rehearsals are on Sunday morning. This group sings a wide variety of music encompassing the standard church music literature, hymnody, and contemporary selections. Special performances include Madrigal Dinners, Hanging of the Green at Christmas, Protestant Requiems (in memory of those church members who have died) and performances of major choral works of the great masters.
Adult Choir practice is on Wednesdays from 6-7pm in the choir loft.
Handbell Choir
The Handbell Choir rings frequently in worship, including the annual Christmas Eve Service.
Handbell practice is on Mondays from 1-2pm in the bell room.
Children's Choir
Children's Choir is a seasonal choirs composed of children in the FBC Children's Ministry.
Musical Instruments
First Baptist Church Morganton is privileged to have exceptional musical instruments for use in its music ministry. A beautiful Reuter organ which graces the sanctuary was commissioned in 1966. It is a three manual (three keyboard) pipe organ with forty-nine ranks of pipes and was given by Mrs. Minnie Reddish.
The Church’s wonderful handbells were made by White Chapel, an old handbell company in England. They were given by Mrs. Myrtie Clarke in memory of her husband Ralph. The first handbell concert was given in 1981.
Our Schulmerick Handchimes were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Black.
Our children enjoy an assortment of Orff instruments, most recently, a bass xylophone by Dr. and Mrs. David Alexander.
The beautiful sound of carillon bells can be heard all over Morganton on the hour between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm each day and at weddings, funerals, and other special events. The bells were made by Paccard Fonderie de Cloches located in Annecy, an ancient city on the lower slopes of the French Alps. The carillon has twenty-three bells and was donated in 1985 by Mr. B.B. Mull in memory of his parents and to the honor of other family members.
In addition to the carillon, the Zimbelstern bells, a small set of brass bells, can often be heard during worship services. These bells were given by Dr. and Mrs. Gary Schattschneider in memory of Mrs. Marie Carter.
For more information about the Music Ministry, contact the Music and Media Director Susan Hadden by 828-437-2544 ext. 116 or [email protected].