Music Ministry
Our music ministry seeks to connect people with God and to one another in weekly worship.
Through the adventure and discipline of musical art, our church celebrates the beauty of faithful living with the universal and historical diversity of the body of Christ. People of all ages can find a place of growth and service within a musical group.
If you are interested in participating in music ministry at First Baptist Church of Asheville, please feel free to email Emily Floyd or call 828.252.4781.
Children’s Music Ministry
Children grades K-6 are invited to be a part of the Asheville Youth Choirs (AYC) sponsored by the Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church. These choirs are community ensembles offering the opportunity for children and teenagers to come together to traverse the false boundaries of school choice, race, family structure, and socio-economic status to create beauty and friendship, thereby making a more connected, kinder community. They sing in area churches, civic functions, seasonal concerts, and summer tours. The choirs rehearse simultaneously on Sundays from 3:00-4:10 p.m. with a snack/friendship time following from 4:10-4:30 p.m
AYC Prelude Choir
This choir is for children grades K-2 and involves experiential learning through singing, musical games and playing instruments. The choir focuses on the enjoyment of music and discovery of the singing voice in preparation for a life-long involvement in music making.
AYC Concert Choir
This choir is for children grades 3-6 and includes the joy and rigor of singing beautiful treble music in a choral setting. The repertoire of the choir spans a diversity of styles and is performed with a variety of instrumental accompaniments.
Youth Music Ministry
Youth grades 7-12 are invited to be a part of the Asheville Youth Choirs (AYC) sponsored by the Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Church. These choirs are community ensembles offering the opportunity for children and teenagers to come together to traverse the false boundaries of school choice, race, family structure, and socio-economic status to create beauty and friendship, thereby making a more connected, kinder community. They sing in area churches, civic functions, seasonal concerts, and summer tours. The choirs rehearse simultaneously on Sundays from 3:00-4:10 p.m. with a snack/friendship time following from 4:10-4:30 p.m..
AYC Middle School Chorale
This choir is for teenagers grades 7-8 and involves the challenging fun of singing choral music. This choir sings both individually and often combines with the High School Chorale for special events, concerts and retreats.
AYC High School Chorale
This choir is for teenagers grades 9-12 and involves the challenging fun of singing a wide variety of choral styles: classical, folk, jazz, popular and experimental. This choir sings in area worship services, concerts partnering with community arts organizations, yearly retreats and summer tours.
FBCA Youth Handbell Choirs
There are two Youth Handbell Choirs at FBCA which rehearse simultaneously on Sundays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Youth 1 Handbells is for grades 7-8 and Youth 2 Handbells is for grades 9-12. These ensembles enjoy the beauty and challenge of ringing the full spectrum of handbell literature, leading monthly in worship and in special events and concerts throughout the year.
FBCA Orchestra
High school youth with developed skill on orchestral instruments, percussion, and/or keyboard are invited to be a part of this orchestra. The orchestra rehearses and leads in worship services and seasonal concerts in two-week modules five times a year.
Adult Music Ministry
Adult Choir
This mixed-voice choir is the centerpiece of all music groups in the church. Open to adults 18 years old and older, the choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. It serves as the primary choir for the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Seasonal concerts are presented with orchestra, including masterworks, contemporary choral pieces, and hymn settings.
Adult Handbell Choir
Ringing five octaves of handbells and three octaves of handchimes, this group is open to adults 18 years and older. The choir rehearses on Sundays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and leads monthly in the church’s worship and in seasonal concerts.
FBCA Orchestra
Adults with developed skill on orchestral instruments, percussion, and/or keyboard are invited to be a part of this orchestra. The orchestra rehearses and leads in worship services and seasonal concerts in two-week modules five times a year.
Music Ministry Leadership
Opportunities are numerous for adults to lead in the children’s and youth music ensembles, assist with congregational conducting, accompany from the piano or other instrument, or participate in a wide variety of administrative and creative roles.
If you are interested in participating in music ministry at First Baptist Church of Asheville, please contact Emily Floyd or call 828.252.4781.
Choral Scholars
The Choral Scholars ministry offers eight scholarship positions of $2000 ($1000 per semester) to area college students for the academic year. The positions allow students the experience of singing with an accomplished church choir, hopefully fostering a lifelong involvement with church music. 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.
Requirements
Choral Scholars must be actively enrolled in a degree program at an area college or university. Scholars become full participating members of the Adult Choir at First Baptist Church.
Participation requirements include a weekly rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and Sunday morning worship from 10:45 a.m.-noon. Additional activities include two seasonal concerts (with dress rehearsals) and a fall rehearsal retreat (expenses covered).
Schedule
The schedule for the academic year begins the first Wednesday of September through the third Sunday in December. There is a break for Christmas, and rehearsals re-start the second Wednesday of January through the second Sunday of May. In this period, a total of absences from 6 rehearsals and 6 services will be permitted.