The Adult Choir is the Music Ministry's premiere ensemble. With 40 active members, this group sings weekly at the church’s 11:00 am Sunday service and at other special services throughout the year. The Adult Choir sings a wide variety of music, including masterworks, hymn arrangements, spirituals, and contemporary settings. This ensemble rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Choir Room and on Sundays at 10:15 am in the Sanctuary. There is no audition for the Adult Choir - membership is open to anyone high school age and up. For those who cannot commit to singing with the choir on a regular basis, watch the church newsletter for information about combined choirs for special events.

Click HERE to register as a new choir member.

What is the Summer Choir?

During the months of June, July, and August, the Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Savannah opens their choir to anyone who would like to come and sing with them. This is the perfect opportunity for those who might be interested in the church and/or the choir and would like to “try it out” on a limited basis with no commitment.

Who can sing?

Anyone! And we do mean anyone! FBC is a welcoming congregation. We believe Jesus treated everyone with a spirit of love and equality. Therefore, we accept every individual without regard to age, gender, race, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or socio-economic status. We affirm all persons as created in the image of God. If you are looking for a loving and supportive family, we hope you’ll give us a try!

Do I need prior singing experience?

No! Singing experience is always helpful, but not required. You also do not have to be able to read music to sing with the choir. The music for the Summer Choir is on the “manageable” side, and has been selected taking into account the varying ability levels and the short rehearsal time.

When do we rehearse?

During the summer months, the choir is rehearsing only on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am just before the worship service.

What time is the worship service?

The worship service begins at 11:00 am and lasts only one hour.

Where do I go?

Come to the front doors of the First Baptist Church Sanctuary, located at 223 Bull Street facing Chippewa Square. The rehearsal will take place at the front of the Sanctuary near the piano.

Where do I park?

You are welcome to park in the church parking lot, which is just off Hull Street one block behind the Sanctuary. McDonough Street is also blocked off for church parking. If those areas are full, there is normally parking around the squares or at the Civic Center. You may want to plan to arrive a little early so that you can find a place to park.

What do I wear?

Our choir normally wears choir robes. However, sometimes in the summer we sing without robes. Please wear whatever you would consider “church clothes.” Folks at FBC wear everything from suits and ties to t-shirts and blue jeans.

What type of music do you sing?

First Baptist Church has a long history of good music. Much of the music we sing is on the “classical/traditional” side, but we often incorporate other forms of music into our services, including folk songs, spirituals, and contemporary pieces.

What instruments does your church use?

The primary instrument for our worship is the pipe organ…and we are very proud of ours. It is the largest and the oldest in the Savannah region. We do incorporate other instruments from time to time, including piano, strings, brass, and woodwinds. We also have a handbell choir! If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts with us, please let the Music Minister know.

Are any of the singers paid?

No. First Baptist Church prides itself on being one of the few downtown churches that has an all volunteer Music Ministry. Professional soloists and instrumentalists are only brought in for special occasions.

Do I have to sign up?

No! Just show up on Sunday mornings. However, if you would like to email the Music Minister and let him know that you are coming, that is always appreciated.

How can I get to know the people better?

There will be a short time between the rehearsal and the worship service where you can chat with fellow singers.

What if I like it and want to stick around?

We are always looking for new members and you would be welcome to continue singing with us if you enjoy your time during the summer. The choir’s normal rehearsal schedule will resume at 7:00 pm on the Wednesday after Labor Day.

How can I get more information?

If you would like more information about the church or the choir, please contact Rev. Dr. Justin L. Addington (Minister of Music) at justin@fbc-sav.org.

The Handbell Choir provides a creative outlet for those who enjoy music but do not wish to sing. Ringing on 4 and ½ octaves of Schulmerich English Handbells and three octaves of Malmark Handchimes, this group rings in worship about once a month during the school year and at other special concerts and programs. The Handbell Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm in rear balcony of the sanctuary. While previous experience ringing bells is not a prerequisite to be a part of this group, the ability to read music is important.

SAVANNAH MEN'S CHORALE - First Baptist Church is honored to serve as the host venue for the newly formed Savannah Men's Chorale. The group, which was conceived by the Savannah Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, rehearses at the church on Thursdays at appointed times throughout the year, and prepares music for community concerts and other special presentations. To learn more about the Savannah Men's Chorale and their upcoming events, please visit their Facebook page. To inquire about membership, you may contact their director (Justin Addington) at justin@fbc-sav.org.

The American Choir for World Peace is an ecumenical choral ensemble composed of 100 singers from across the United States. Formed in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary, this group will represent our country as part of the 2026 D-Day commemorations in France. While overseas, singers will have the opportunity to take part in powerful musical moments on the beaches of Normandy, at wreath-laying ceremonies in the American Cemetery, and in churches and cathedrals across the region—including the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Under the direction of Savannah's Justin L. Addington and accompanied by Julia Tucker, the choir hopes to use the spiritualizing power of music to call the nations of the world toward greater cooperation and unity. For more information, please email the director at justin@fbc-sav.org.

In Margaret LaFar’s Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia, we read the following: “From its earliest days the Baptist church has had music as an increasingly vital part of its veneration of the heavenly Father. Through music we have prayed, praised, and worshiped him. It is doubtful that there was an organ in the Franklin Square Church, but the minutes tell that instrumental music was used . . . . As far as we know an organ for the Baptist church is first mentioned when the church was occupying its new edifice on Chippewa Square.” Nothing is known about that organ, but following a violent storm in 1898 which unroofed and severely damaged the interior of the church, a new organ was installed.

On February 24, 1899, First Baptist Church dedicated its fine new pipe organ with an evening recital by J. Lewis Browne, assisted by the Sappho Quartette of Georgia. This two manual organ of twenty six ranks boasted the use of pneumatic action throughout, and contained “. . . all modern improvements of assured value.” It was built by John Brown, of Wilmington, Delaware, and was pronounced “noteworthy for unusual features of voicing and action.”

In 1920, extensive renovations to the church interior were undertaken, in keeping with changes in the form and style of worship. A generous donation from Mrs. Carl Moultz, widow of George Armstrong, allowed the awarding of a contract for an instrument “which would be one of the . . . most beautiful organs in the entire Southeast.” The organ was known as the Camp Memorial Organ, in honor of her parents. Mrs. Moultz also paid to remodel the attic to accommodate the pipe chambers, and employed A. Leslie Jacobs to serve as organist for the first year. He was followed by Christine Bacot, and subsequently by Dwight J. Bruce.

This instrument was built by the Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Ernest M. Skinner, president of the firm, was considered to be the most advanced organ designer in America, and organs by his firm were highly prized. The three manual organ of forty ranks contained the latest advances in both tonal and mechanical resources. Skinner’s organs possessed refined, full bodied tone of unusual clarity, unlike the sometimes muddied sounds produced by other builders of the time. His console actions and “pitman” wind chests were the most technologically advanced equipment available at that time. This organ contains an example of the French Horn stop, invented by Ernest Skinner to duplicate the sound of its orchestral counterpart.

By 1954, regular use of the organ required the replacement of the console. The work was done by M. P. Moller, Inc., of Hagerstown, Maryland. The new console was equipped with four manual keyboards, so the Echo Organ was now playable from its own manual. All the original Skinner pipework was still intact, and the new console was made large enough to accommodate anticipated future enlargements. Dwight J. Bruce, organist and choirmaster since 1929, supervised the construction of the new console and presided at the organ until he retired in 1969.

Since the organ’s installation, tastes in organ music have changed drastically. Where organists of the 1920’s were playing orchestral transcriptions or organ music of the “romantic” style, organists of the 1960’s were playing music by Bach and other composers of the “baroque” era. New organs were of thinner tone, had more stops of higher pitch, and were generally louder. In 1969, a modernization and enlargement program was begun by the regular organ servicemen, Dave Woodall and John Horton, under the supervision of Thomas H. Carswell, organist and choirmaster from 1969 to 1970. At that time, some of the original Skinner pipes were replaced with new sets made by the Moller company. Following the then current trends, the new stops were cast in the neo baroque mold, and the remaining Skinner pipes were loudened by increasing the wind pressures. As a result, the instrument lost much of its mellowness.

In the mid1980’s, the console was beginning to show signs of wear and the windchests again needed releathering. At the recommendation of Associate Minister James C. Richardson, who had become the church’s organist and choirmaster in 1971, plans were considered for the complete renovation of the organ, and a contract was awarded in 1987 to Ontko & Young Co., Inc., of Charleston, South Carolina. Fortunately, many of the original Skinner pipes had been stored in the attic, and Mr. Richardson and Mr. Ontko determined to restore as many as possible of them to use. The Skinner wind chests, which relied on fragile leather components now susceptible to damaging air pollution, were fitted with leatherless, all electric valve actions. A new console equipped with the most advanced solid state control systems was built and installed. The cabinet is made of Honduran mahogany, hand rubbed with a tung oil enriched finish. Since ivory is no longer available for keyboards, the playing surfaces are covered with hard maple and walnut.

The extant Skinner stops have been reregulated on their original wind pressures; they are now as close as possible to their original tone. The pipes added in the 1969 enlargement have been revoiced to more closely match the Skinner sounds. Rather than attempt to reconstruct the original Great Diapason Chorus, which had been totally removed in previous renovations, a new chorus was designed in modern American/French style by Allan J. Ontko. It adds brilliance to the instrument while blending fully with and existing the Skinner foundation stops.

The rebuilt organ, completed in June of 1990, totals 57 ranks on four manuals and pedals. It incorporates almost 30 ranks from the original organ, as well as 13 ranks from intervening renovations. The rebuilding and reinstallation were accomplished primarily by William A. Smith and Vernon S. Elliott of the Ontko & Young firm. The new console and windchests were built in the company’s Charleston workshop. Voicing and tonal finishing were accomplished in the First Baptist sanctuary by Allan J. Ontko and Edna L. Young. The Positif Division was added in 2011 under the leadership of Allan Ontko and Thomas Cashen. The most recent restoration work was completed by the R.A. Colby Organ Company in 2021. The organ is currently under the care of Lincoln Pipe Organ Company.

Click HERE to see the article in the Savannah Morning News about our organ.