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 About GODs Orchestra
 

The orchestra at FBCW had an informal beginning in 1983 when Pam Peters, Bill and Charlie Byrd began playing together on congregational hymns. During that time, Beverly Early expanded her ministry as church accompanist, by rehearsing with this group on these hymns.

As time passed, God added to the small orchestra ranks. Barbara Haley began playing flute; John Sunderland began playing trumpet and later horn; and Lynn Williams joined in the ministry, playing trumpet. Not long after came Natalie Peterman, Morris Fox, Dori  Mondon, Audra Miller, and George Broom.

During the period, 1983 - 1988, the orchestra played only on Sunday nights. Its early direction was under the leadership of Jack Taylor. Under the leadership of Burt Youngblood, the orchestra began to perform some special pieces, usually trios by Pam, Bill and Charlie. Burt began using the orchestra more frequently to augment choir pieces on special occasions. During this time, Pam Peters served faithfully by leading orchestra rehearsals and by organizing the group for services.

Following Burt Youngblood, came our previous Minister of Music, Tim Dunahoo. Tim encouraged our orchestra to be a regular part of Sunday morning worship, as well as it’s participation on Sunday evenings. David Peyton served the orchestra during that time in preparing the group for choir accompaniment and occasional full orchestra features.

Those were the formative years. In February 1991, our church extended a call to Gary Gaston to serve with Tim and lead the First Baptist Orchestra. Since that time, God has used Gary to take the core group of 12 instrumentalists to its current active size of 71. Growth continued allowing for a student orchestra. Since its beginning in January of 1993, it grew to an enrollment of 42 under the direction of Barbara Haley, later John Wilson, and presently Wayne Postell. God continues to bless by bringing warm-hearted students into the orchestra family and by providing leadership like Wayne to encourage and equip souls for ministry. Today FBCW offers private instruction through it’s Academy of Music.

In 1994, God further blessed FBCW by bringing Scott White as Sr. Minister of Music. Scott's zeal and energy have propelled the First Family to even greater dynamics of worship. His strong leadership has enabled the entire music ministry to be aggressively involved in reaching not just our community, but literally around the world. As a result, members of the FBCW orchestra were privileged to travel to Germany to share the message of God’s redemptive power.

Under Gary’s leadership, individuals called by God into instrumental ministry have been galvanized into a family that prays, praises, worships, and demonstrates great care and concern one for another. God has molded a group that loves Jesus and desires to tell others about His saving grace. We thank God for what He has done with those faithful few of 1983 and we are blessed beyond words for the many He has drawn together today.