Music Ministry

We want you for the Sanctuary Choir!

No experience is needed, just come any Wednesday night at 6:30 to the Choir Room to join. Contact Penny Philley at 205-776-5229 for more information.

 

 

 

 


The Briarwood Worship and Music Ministry has openings for Praise Team singers and band members. If you would like to schedule an audition, contact John Haines at 205.612.5199 or jhaines@briarwood.org.

Click here to see a gallery of pictures from the 2019 Christmas presentation rehearsal.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO TAKE PART IN THE MUSIC MINISTRY, CALL PENNY PHILLEY AT 205-776-5229 or CLICK HERE.


ABOUT

The Briarwood Music Ministry is an important part of the worship of the Lord at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Under the direction of John Haines, Pastor of Worship, the various choirs and the orchestra seek to glorify God, encourage the Body of Christ, and magnify the message of salvation through music and song. If you have questions or want more information, please call 205-776-5229.

MISSION

Leading the body of Christ at Briarwood in authentic worship (spirit and truth), utilizing a broad range of musical expressions (both past and present) that glorifies God, edifies the body, and magnifies the message of salvation through Christ alone.

VISION

To become a church whose worship fully glorifies God in Spirit, truth and unity of mind and heart, as a model to encourage congregations throughout the world.

VALUES

The goal of our ministry of worship is to reflect the following values:

• Marked by faithful adherence to the Word of God.
• Solo Scriptura
• Colossians 3:1….”seeking those things which are above.”
• Impacts the total man – mind, heart and spirit (Matthew 22:36–37; John 4:23–24).
• Connected to the past and contextualized in the present (honor the past but live in the present).
• Glorifying God, edifying the body, magnifying the message of salvation (vertical/horizontal – 1 Cor. 14:23–25).
• Commitment to excellence (2 Samuel 24:24).
• Commitment to personal preparation for worship (Romans 12:1–2).
• Education of congregation concerning “true worship.”
• Shepherding the participants in the Music and Worship ministry.
• Effective and open communication and integration of the Music and Worship team with other ministries.

STAFF

John Haines, Pastor of Worship
Hunter Goff, Choir Accompanist/Church Organist
Chris Neugent, Orchestra Director
Daniel Cason, Church Pianist
Penny Philley, Music Administrative Assistant


A MUSICAL LEGACY

We have placed recordings dating back to 1977 from the choirs and handbell choirs that have blessed Briarwood over the decades. Please click here to visit these archival recordings.

ADULT (Sanctuary) CHOIR

The Adult Choir is the flagship ensemble of the music ministry and is open to those 18 and older. While formal training and music reading are not required, basic pitch matching skills and a love for leading the people of God in worship are essential. This group of 100+ singers lead worship each Lord’s Day morning and also present a variety of musical events throughout the year, usually involving the Alabama Philharmonic Orchestra. The choir also does periodic recordings and travels abroad to share the love of Christ through music. The choir is a family that cares for one another–a church within the church—and place that you can find a significant outlet for ministry. For more information, please contact the Music Admin Assistant.

Choir members click here to access the virtual rehearsal files. This is a password-protected site.

YOUTH CHOIR

The Briarwood Youth Worship Choir is open to all students in 7th–12th grades. This ministry is a great place for students, who not only to sharpen their musical skills but gain valuable insights into worship through many opportunities to lead in worship through singing. This close-knit group meets each Sunday from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in the choir room, September–May. For more information, please call 205-776-5229.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

Through the children’s choirs the lives of our preschool and elementary age covenant children will be blessed as they learn to enthusiastically to “sing unto the Lord a New Song!” Our Children’s Choirs meet each Lord’s Day evening at 6:15 p.m. during the worship hour.  Both groups (preschool and elementary choirs) are released from the worship service to their choirs. Click here to register your child for choir. For more information, please contact the Music Admin Assistant.

PRAISE TEAMS

The Praise Teams are made up of at least four singers and a full band (piano, synth, bass, guitars and drums), that sing/play one Sunday a month (four teams that rotate once each month). If you are interested in participating in the Adult Choir and serving on the Praise Team rotation, please call 205-776-5229.

ORCHESTRA

The Briarwood Orchestra is made up of volunteers with a willingness to minister through music and a basic proficiency on an orchestral or band instrument. Psalm 150 states: “Praise Him with trumpet sound: praise him with lute and harp!” In like manner, the Orchestra strives to bring praise to our glorious God by supporting and enhancing the congregational singing, by presenting special anthems of praise, and by playing special program music throughout the year. We desire to praise Him out of the overflow of our hearts, and that praise is heard through our instruments. The Orchestra meets on specified Wednesday nights in the Worship Center from 6:30–8:00 and plays on Sunday mornings at both the 8:00 and 10:55 service. If interested in serving in the orchestra, please call 205-776-5229.

THE BRIARWOOD ORGAN

The Briarwood Organ, Casavant’s Opus 3644, was installed over a period of five weeks in 1988 during the construction of Briarwood’s present facility. Five additional weeks were required for tuning the organ to its new home. Consisting of 4,629 pipes in 84 ranks, with 55 independent stops, the organ is located immediately above and behind the choir area. The exposed pipework and central location of the organ not only provides visual beauty but also allows the instrument to speak directly to the choir and congregation. The organ was dedicated to God’s glory in a Service of Dedication June 19, 1988, followed by a Dedicatory Recital Series that featured Diane Bish, Matt McMahan, Edward Tibbs and Joan Lippincott.