Music & Worship

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.”  ~Psalm 98:4

Music has been an integral part of the Christian Church since its origin. The Church has been a center for great musical experiences throughout the ages, bringing people into the Body of Christ and sending them forth into community. Music reaches the soul and connects with the Spirit in a unique and powerful way. The music program at Highland Baptist Church is dedicated to continuing this tradition through sharing our musical gifts and heritage and singing God's praise to all people.

We believe that God can be glorified through a rich setting of choral and instrumental music as it expresses and interprets faith. Such music raises our collective and corporate vision and elicits our best. It is the responsibility of the music leadership to foster knowledge and appreciation of appropriate music as it pertains to worship, the church, and the community.

Many styles of music are acceptable to God, and indeed the variety of what is offered in our church is basis for great joy. The Music Ministry of Highland Baptist Church seeks to provide a place where every person is encouraged to use their God given musical talents to the glory of God and to the betterment of the community by becoming a more effective communicator of the gospel message through music.

Please continue reading for more information into Highland’s choral and instrumental opportunities.
 

CHORAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sanctuary Choir is open to all singers over the age of 18 who have a love for choral music. This choir is the primary leader of music in the 11:00 worship services at Highland Baptist with careful attention given to the selection of anthems that enhance both the Lectionary readings and the Liturgical Church Year. Masterworks are performed during the Lenten or Advent seasons of the year accompanied by Highland’s Schantz pipe organ and Orchestra. Sanctuary Choir also participates in choral activities outside of Highland’s walls as a gesture of ecumenical goodwill within the Louisville area. (7:00 – 8:15 p.m., Wednesdays)

Youth Choir (6th – 12th grade) members prepare music with mission and justice themes and seek to utilize their talents of singing and instrument playing. Music reading, good choral singing skills, and ensemble are the focus of rehearsals. Youth Choir is invited to join with Sanctuary Choir on Masterworks and they participate in the annual Youth Choir Festival in conjunction with Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. (4:30-5:30 p.m. on scheduled Sundays; dates published in the Friday Youth News)

Children’s Choirs (walking toddlers-5th grade) are graded for children, walking toddlers through the fifth grade.

Cherubs Choir provides musical activities for walking toddlers with parents, designed to capture the delight in singing and moving to the beat. (6:00 p.m., Wednesdays, Rm. 200)

Carol Choir (ages 3’s, 4’s & young 5’s) experience their four voices (whisper, speaking, singing & calling) as well as find the steady beat in all their music. This choir is their first experience in making music together as an ensemble – they are active learners. They also discover high and low sounds, simple rhythmic patterns and the joy from making music with church friends. Mission activities are also provided for them to learn of God’s love through action. (6:00 – 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, Rm. 206, 208)

Young Choristers Choir (K/1st grade) and Choristers Choir (2nd-5th grade) are encouraged to create a beautiful ensemble sound through healthy choral singing. We build on music literacy, enhanced by playing instruments, and singing from anthems written especially for children. Choristers sing the hymns of our faith and also experience beginning harmonic singing with the use of canons, rounds and descants. We sing in worship approximately four times a year. (6:00 – 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays, 2nd Floor)

 
INSTRUMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sanctuary Handbells encourages auditioned adults with handbell experience to prepare and ring in worship services on a regular basis. This choir participates annually with the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers – Area V. (3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Sundays)

Middle School Handbells (6th– 8th grade) rehearse as part of Highland’s Wednesday evening activities and ring several times a year in Sunday morning services. (6:00 – 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays).

Children’s Handbells (4th-5th grade) rehearse during the final 30 minutes of our graded children’s choir program and ring in worship as well as the children’s Advent and spring recognition services. (6:45-7:15 p.m., Wednesdays)

Highland Orchestra strives to allow all who have previous instrumental experience an opportunity to rekindle the love for instrumental music. The orchestra prepares selections for worship and provides orchestral accompaniment for large choral works. In addition, the group prepares a joint spring concert with the Handbell Choir, and prepares secular selections for various church functions such as the Christmas Banquet. (12:00-1:30 p.m., lunch and rehearsal, third Sunday of the month. Contact Bruce Maples, Director, or Kathy Collier, Minister of Music, for more information.)

Instrumental Ensembles (Brass, Strings, Woodwinds, Percussion) prepare instrumental selections that include service music and hymn accompaniments for worship services. These groups are usually drawn from the players in the Highland Orchestra, but also include other persons who have an interest in smaller ensembles. (Rehearsal times vary; Contact Bruce Maples, Director, or Kathy Collier, Minister of Music for more information.)

For more information on the music ministry, contact Kathy Collier.