Orchestra

Sanctuary Orchestra

Our Sanctuary Orchestra began in October of 1991 with 15 charter members. Since that time it has grown to its current enrolment of 40 players. Active participants of First Baptist Church, the orchestra contributes regularly in the Sunday morning worship service. In addition, they play an important role in the major music programs of our church, namely The Pensacola Easter Pageant and In Excelsis Deo.

From time to time the orchestra participates in musical projects outside the church, having accompanied the Sanctuary Choir overseas in 1994 to Sweden/Latvia/Russia, and in 1998 to England/Scotland/Holland. They will be traveling with the choir overseas again in July of 2002 to London, Normandy, Paris and Rome. Other special projects include an Orchestra Mini-Tour in the summer of 1997 which culminated in the making of their first CD, Instruments of Praise. A more recent Mini-Tour for them took place in August of 2001. Also recently, they have released their second CD, Resounding Praise, which includes music from their 1999 and 2000 concerts.

The group involves instrumentalists - church members and non-church members alike - who are primarily adults, but does admit Sr. High students when their instrument is needed and they have attained a high level of playing. To become a member of the orchestra one must successfully pass an interview/audition process.

This group rehearses each Wednesday night from 5:30 - 7:30, having the first hour-and-fifteen minutes alone, and concluding the last forty-five minutes with the Sanctuary Choir.

Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Bob Morrison at 433-5631.