Watch the 36th Annual Carolina Celebration of Liberty!

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Music

To glorify God, unify the body of Christ, and magnify the message of salvation through music.

Total Praise Choir Album

Front & Back Cover

Choose Digital or Physical CD

Cost: $15, add $3 shipping and handling for CD if having it mailed. 

Album Tracks

The Blessing
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery
The Fear Of The Lord
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
I Speak Jesus
Jehovah Sabaoth (God Of Angel Armies)
The Old Rugged Cross
Only Worthy One
Raise A Hallelujah
Sing To The Lord
Total Praise

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD!

Music is the foundation of our worship here at First Baptist Church. Under the direction of Rev. Steve Phillips, Minister of Music, the various choirs and orchestra seek to glorify God, unify the body of Christ, and magnify the message of salvation through music. 

Community is an integral part of everything we do at First Baptist, and we encourage an environment of joy and belonging. There are a variety of groups to get involved with covering all ages. Whether you sing or play an instrument we invite you to join with us and use your gifts to worship the King of Kings.

Save These Dates

June 30
Carolina Celebration of Liberty

December 14 & 15
Columbia Christmas Pageant

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsal

Wednesdays 6:45 – 8 PM 

The Sanctuary Choir is a group of people from all walks of life who join together for the purpose of giving glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Led by Rev. Steve Phillips, the choir sings every Sunday morning for the Worship Service.

In addition to Sunday mornings, the choir sings in several big productions throughout the year including the Carolina Celebration of Liberty and the Columbia Christmas Pageant. Throughout the history of FIRST, the Sanctuary Choir has had the privilege to sing with Christian songwriters, Keith and Kristy Getty, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers, the Hoppers, and on several occasions with the Billy Graham Team consisting of Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea, and John Innes.

Wednesday night practices are in the sanctuary from 6:45 – 8:00 PM. You do not need a reservation to attend. If you want to worship, work, have fun, and be blessed, come to to Sanctuary Choir!

Email music@fbccola.com if you have any questions.

Orchestra

Rehearsal

Wednesdays 5:45 – 8:00 PM 

The Orchestra plays for Sunday morning worship services as well as for special events such as the Columbia Christmas Pageant and the Carolina Celebration of Liberty. Also each summer, the Orchestra plays in a special concert featuring the Orchestra’s favorite songs.

Senior Adult Choir

Senior Adult Choir is a fun group of people that love the life stage they’re in and using their gifts to bring joy and love to others. This group enjoys traveling to local retirement communities, nursing homes, and Shealy’s when they can squeeze it in. Wherever they go, timeless hymns and melodies are sung back to life with the audience singing or clapping along. Senior Adult Choir is fun, worshipful, and loving others through music. We’d love to have you join us.

Senior Adult Choir has resumed Tuesday rehearsals.

If you are interested please call 803-343-8550.

FirstKids Choir

FirstKids Choir is a part of Midweek @ First

In First Kids Choir we sing, dance, and play instruments! We hide the truths of God in our hearts through music and fun. Our Children sing in worship services and special events, including an annual full-scale musical production. 

Volunteers lead the choir under the direction of Keith Watson, a Christian music educator who has led children’s choir leadership conferences for numerous state conventions, associations, school districts, and churches. In addition, he has written children’s choir materials for publications produced by LifeWay and Growing in Grace.

FirstKids Musical 2023

A huge part of FirstKids choir is preparing for the annual Musical. Each year the kids bring drama, story, and song to the big stage. The musical is a giant production with costumes, set pieces, and big dance numbers all focused around sharing the gospel. Embedded in each story and song are biblical truths that point to salvation in Jesus and every year the FirstKids choir loves to “break a leg” under the lights. It’s truly a fun evening for both kids and audience with joy that only a musical can provide.

Preschool Choir

Each year we host a Preschool Choir showcase featuring many of the things that the younger kids have been learning on Wednesday nights at choir.

Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM.
 
The Handbell Choir provides instrumental music for worship services and special events in the church and Columbia community. The director, Betty Myers, welcomes new ringers who have a basic ability to read music—with or without handbell experience.

Two Great Annual Celebrations!

The Carolina Celebration of Liberty is the longest running event of its kind in our state. Led by our Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra, it is a flag-waving, patriotic extravaganza in which we honor those presently serving, our veterans, and those who have given the final full measure of devotion for our liberty. It is estimated that it has been seen in person and on television by well over one million people. 
With various state and local dignitaries, special honorees, and thousands in attendance, we come together to honor God and thank Him for this free land that has been a beacon of freedom and liberty around the world.
The Columbia Christmas Pageant is one of the premiere Christmas Celebrations in the South! It has become a Christmas Tradition for thousands who come from South Carolina as well as surrounding states. This year will feature fun Christmas classics as well as a moving time of worship of our Savior. The pageant is a South Carolina Christmas Tradition!

Ministry Leads

Music Minister
Steve Phillips
sphillips@fbccola.com

Associate Music Minister
Rev. Keith Watson
keithwatson@fbccola.com

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not necessary. The ability to hear and reproduce the music is important. There are also certain patterns that you will begin to recognize as you go through the music. Most people in the choir do not read music in a formal way.

No. we do not hold auditions.

At present, go to the sanctuary.

Yes! We always need instrumentalists in every area!

Yes we always need choir members! You will be blessed if you come!