"Those Who Sing to God Pray Twice" - Saint Augustine

Rehearsal Schedule September to June

Music plays a very important role in worship and fellowship at Second Baptist. There are several musical groups in the church and all are welcome to come to a rehearsal at the times listed above. Most Sundays our Adult Choir offers two selections of contemporary, classical or traditional liturgical music. Youth (ages 14-17) are welcome to sing with the Adult Choir as well. We often sing contemporary or folk music on the third Sunday of the month. The text is projected in large, readable print to encourage the congregation to participate and sing along. It is an alternative and spiritually uplifting way to worship. Our dedicated children's choir, The Almost Angels, delight us with their smiles, white robes and joyful sound on the fourth Sunday. Occasionally, the children of the Sunday School also sing for the congregation, having rehearsed during the Sunday School hour. The Hand Bell Choir performs beautiful arrangements monthly. On occasion, the Hand Bell Choir accompanies the worship music during Sunday service. During the summer soloists, duets, instrumentalists and small groups share their musical gifts.

 

Our joyful Director of Music, Evelyne Battle, conducts the Adult Choir, Celebration Choir and Almost Angels. She leads a team of professionals, including organist Jean Aldrich-Jones, handbell choir director Arlene Howes, and our "composer in residence" Dan Kehoe. Our Music Committee meets after church every third Sunday to dream and plan our next musical adventure.. Our pastor also selects hymns and worship songs appropriate for the day's scripture and sermon. We use the delightful Chalice Hymnal.

 

 

Special musical events fill our calendar, such as the annual Community Christmas Concert, which includes community performers of all ages, and an annual Music for Spring Concert. World renowned musicians occasionally accompany the Adult Choir on a Sunday, and every Father's Day we have a Jazz Band in worship. It's great fun! David Jones brings his brass quintet at least once a year, and the church has hosted several other classical and folk musicians. In the Spring of 2007 we were delighted by an interactive global folk music concert for all ages where wonderful stories of the underground railroad and the environment were shared.

To celebrate our 200th Anniversary in May 2005, Dan Kehoe composed an extremely special and unique piece entitled "Journey Suite", a classical interpretation of Second Baptist’s rich history set to music for choir, handbells and orchestral ensemble. It is set with dramatic presentations. There are five movements including Liberty, Spirit, Meditation, Prayer and Revival. You can listen to Journey Suite in MP3 format by clicking here. Composers’ notes are also available on each movement.

Our Music Ministries aren't all work, either! Rehearsals are fun and spiritually uplifting, and we have two grand parties: an annual Christmas gathering and a Spring picnic at the end of June.

Please e-mail Evelyne Battle to get involved or call her at the church office at 860-668-1661.

Rehearsal Schedule September to June

SBC Variety Show: Fun Fellowship and Fabulous Entertainment

The Music Committee would like to extend a very special thank you to the cast and crew of The Variety Show that took place on March 1^st. All the performers did a fantastic job, and the production crew was invaluable in making the evening a great success. A sincere note of gratitude goes to Evelyne Battle for her superb leadership and direction, and to Jean Aldrich-Jones and Dan Kehoe for their accompanying talents.

The show drew over 110 people, so thank you to our guests for supporting a wonderful event. Proceeds totaled more than $430 dollars and are being earmarked towards future instrument needs for SBC's Music Ministry.

To keep everyone's creative juices flowing, the Music Committee is looking forward to hosting future Variety Shows every other year, with a ‘Music for Spring' Concert scheduled in alternate years. So take a break, enjoy the springtime, and start thinking about what talents and gifts you can share at the next show!