“Calling All Singers”
On Monday evening, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. a Community Choir will be born at 288 Fair Street. Jeff Lewis, a returning native of Baxley and a lifetime church musician, invites friends and future friends to share their gifts of musical talent with this community in a unique way.
Jeff Lewis and Friends launch Community Choir
Jeff began his music career as the organist of First Baptist Church at the age of 12. From this early experience he was inspired to pursue a calling to be a church musician. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University and his Master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Both degrees were in church music and organ performance. For over 30 years he has built large church and community music programs and has also concertized throughout the Southeast United States as an organ soloist and accompanist for major choral groups and nationally renowned vocal and instrumental soloists.
“The success of my work over the years has always been blessed and inspired by one Scripture: ‘Without a Vision, the people perish.’ Pretty simple, I suppose, but it has worked for me and has blessed my life in more ways than I deserve. That one truth, I discovered over the years, is most powerful AFTER it leaves the Church on Sunday and into the secular world of business and relationships we find there as we go about our daily living,” said Lewis.
Requirements for the Choir are a pleasant singing voice and a desire to share it with each other as a group, a basic knowledge of music reading, an open mind and willingness to explore and learn various styles of music and a dedication to regular rehearsals. The most important requirement is a strong commitment to the vision and mission of the Choir (it’s “heartbeat”) and the positive difference it can make – beginning in one’s own life, then into our community and beyond.
There will be open “give it a try” rehearsals through the month of September. The invitation extends not only to our community, but also those in Alma, Hazlehurst, Jesup—and anyone else who is interested and willing to drive that far. Rehearsals will be on Monday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. “Until we find another rehearsal venue, we will meet in the music room of our Fair Street house. I think we can fit up to 24 singers uncomfortably. Maybe 30 with a crowbar!
The first undertaking will be a Christmas concert to be presented on Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Old City Gym. “Many years ago, I played a organ concert in that ‘Sleeping Giant’ when she had fallen into disrepair and had been forgotten. The concert sparked renewed interest in the great old building with its rich heritage and history. A government grant was later secured and it was renovated to what it is today. The old gym possesses a great ‘secret’ few realize: its ‘Cathedral Acoustics!’ Most of us will never have the opportunity to experience music in such world-famous spaces as the National Cathedral, the Mormon Tabernacle or Carnegie Hall. But, though her face may be a bit tired, we can have that same experience and blessing right here in Baxley! So, for now, come prepared that night, whether you are in the choir or audience - to sing Christmas carols like you may have never experienced. Led by the massive sounds of the organ, which will be moved from my house, brass and percussion, possibly handbells and children in addition to the choir, well…put it on your calendars NOW!”
“For more information and a word of encouragement if you need it, please email me at JeffLewisSingers@gmail.com, call me at 912-665-1988 or just stop by if you see me in the yard. (Another great passion of mine!) Take the risk of dusting off your ‘used-to-sing’ talent if that is you, introduce yourself as a “new” friend if we don’t know each other yet, and become part of this exciting vision for our community. I look forward to seeing where this vision will take us ALL!”
“The success of my work over the years has always been blessed and inspired by one Scripture: ‘Without a Vision, the people perish.’ Pretty simple, I suppose, but it has worked for me and has blessed my life in more ways than I deserve. That one truth, I discovered over the years, is most powerful AFTER it leaves the Church on Sunday and into the secular world of business and relationships we find there as we go about our daily living,” said Lewis.
Requirements for the Choir are a pleasant singing voice and a desire to share it with each other as a group, a basic knowledge of music reading, an open mind and willingness to explore and learn various styles of music and a dedication to regular rehearsals. The most important requirement is a strong commitment to the vision and mission of the Choir (it’s “heartbeat”) and the positive difference it can make – beginning in one’s own life, then into our community and beyond.
There will be open “give it a try” rehearsals through the month of September. The invitation extends not only to our community, but also those in Alma, Hazlehurst, Jesup—and anyone else who is interested and willing to drive that far. Rehearsals will be on Monday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. “Until we find another rehearsal venue, we will meet in the music room of our Fair Street house. I think we can fit up to 24 singers uncomfortably. Maybe 30 with a crowbar!
The first undertaking will be a Christmas concert to be presented on Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Old City Gym. “Many years ago, I played a organ concert in that ‘Sleeping Giant’ when she had fallen into disrepair and had been forgotten. The concert sparked renewed interest in the great old building with its rich heritage and history. A government grant was later secured and it was renovated to what it is today. The old gym possesses a great ‘secret’ few realize: its ‘Cathedral Acoustics!’ Most of us will never have the opportunity to experience music in such world-famous spaces as the National Cathedral, the Mormon Tabernacle or Carnegie Hall. But, though her face may be a bit tired, we can have that same experience and blessing right here in Baxley! So, for now, come prepared that night, whether you are in the choir or audience - to sing Christmas carols like you may have never experienced. Led by the massive sounds of the organ, which will be moved from my house, brass and percussion, possibly handbells and children in addition to the choir, well…put it on your calendars NOW!”
“For more information and a word of encouragement if you need it, please email me at JeffLewisSingers@gmail.com, call me at 912-665-1988 or just stop by if you see me in the yard. (Another great passion of mine!) Take the risk of dusting off your ‘used-to-sing’ talent if that is you, introduce yourself as a “new” friend if we don’t know each other yet, and become part of this exciting vision for our community. I look forward to seeing where this vision will take us ALL!”
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