The Music Ministry

Music Ministry Video
Worship Ministry Video

The Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Greenville consists of five children's choirs, two youth choirs, a handbell choir and the Sanctuary Choir, involving over 300 people in the making of music. The music staff includes full-time employees, part-time assistants, student interns and many willing volunteers. The Music Ministry has had a strong relationship with Furman University for many years, primarily because of the leadership of DuPre Rhame who was both minister of music at the church (1936-1970) and professor at Furman University (1946-1970). As a whole, the Music Ministry seeks to glorify God, using our talents to make music of excellence that reflects on the One who is the source of all good gifts. Our desire is to worship God "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24) "uniting our voices in praise" (2 Chronicles 5:13).

The Music Staff
Vivian Hamilton, Minister of Music (Send Mail)
Susan Matthews, Associate Minister of Music (Send Mail)
Kimberly Coates, Music Assistant (Send Mail)
Dr. Charles Tompkins, Organist (Send Mail)
Priscilla Harris, Children's Choir Coordinator (Send Mail)

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Watch organist Charles Tompkins on YouTube as he pulls out all the stops to give you a behind-the-scenes look
at the church's Sanctuary organ, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

For information on ordering last summer's
Furman Singers Reunion Concert
as well as Singers concerts dating back to 1965, click here to download a printable order form.

The Sanctuary Choir is currently under the direction of Vivian Hamilton and is accompanied by Charles Tompkins. Beginning September 2, the choir rehearses each Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., following mid-week worship. The choir sings and leads worship each Sunday and performs several major works with orchestra throughout the year. Recent performances include Magnificat by the English composer John Rutter, W.A. Mozart's Requiem, and Gospel Mass by Robert Ray. In recent years the choir has performed with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts. The choir was selected to perform for the Southern Division of the American Choral Directors Association (ADCA) in March 2000 in Orlando, Florida, and at the national ADCA convention in San Antonio, Texas in March of 2001. In the summer of 2004, the choir led in Sunday worship at the historic Riverside Church in New York City.
 
The Adult Handbell Choir rehearses each Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The choir plays four or five times each year in worship and frequently combines with the Sanctuary Choir and/or brass ensemble on selected anthems. Participation in this choir is by invitation. Any person interested in becoming a member of the Adult Handbell Choir should contact Kimberly Coates.

Learn more about Children's Music at FBC

The Senior High Choir is open to teenagers in grades 9 through 12. Beginning in the fall, the choir rehearses each Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The choir is under the direction of Susan Matthews. A snack supper is provided following rehearsal, and the youth then have a snack supper and Bible study from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The choir joins with youth choirs from the Southeast participating in a youth choir festival in Myrtle Beach each spring. In the summer the choir performs a musical as a part of the annual Mission Trip sponsored by the Youth Ministry. In recent years, the choir has performed the musical "This Changes Everything" by FBC's minister of worship and mission Kyle Matthews and the musical "Solid Rock Café," which was composed by former music minister Glen Adkins.

The Middle School Choir is for youth in grades 6 through 8. Beginning in the fall, the choir rehearses each Sunday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This follows a time of Bible study and a snack supper, all of which begins at 5:00 p.m. The Middle School Choir performs several times throughout the year and frequently combines with the Senior High Choir when singing in worship. The choir is under the direction of Susan Matthews.