Music Ministries

First United Methodist Church has a strong commitment to an active music program with a rich and long tradition. It is the mission of the music ministry to serve the church and the greater community with musical programs of classical, sacred and contemporary content. With a beautiful sanctuary that houses the newly-renovated Zimmer Pipe Organ the church is blessed with excellent acoustics that make it ideal for classical music program and recitals.

Butler Organ Recital Series

The Butler Organ Recital Series is a monthly presentation of organ works by the great organ master composers of the past. The magnificent Zimmer Pipe Organ, with well over 1,000 pipes, amplified by the natural acoustics of the sanctuary, produce thrilling organ concerts by the Organist of FUMC. Recitals are held the second Wednesday of each month at noon. All concerts are free of admission charge and are open to the public.p>

The Youth Choir

The Youth Choir meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00. In addition to singing once each quarter, the choir learns music fundamentals and singing skills. A social component each week helps to build friendship and strong Christian bonds among the membership. Youth Choir is open all youth from 6th to 12th grades. Students need not know how to read music to join.

Jubilate Bells

Jubilate Bells is a very active organization that provides service music for the traditional services throughout the year. The bells meet each Wednesday at 5PM. Membership is open by consultation with the director. Participants should know basic music reading skills. The organization requires strong commitment from its members due to the nature of bell-ringing ensemble.

The Caribbean Steel Drum Band

The Caribbean Steel Drum Band is open to high school students and adults who want to learn to play the steel drums. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday (during the fall, winter and spring seasons) at 6PM. Although music reading skills are not required, it is helpful to have some reading knowledge of music. The Caribbean Steel Drums plays in worship services several times throughout the year.

The First Arts Program

The First Arts Program is one of the great success stories of the music ministry of First United Methodist. For more than twenty years, First Arts has sponsored classical, contemporary, jazz and story-telling programs that have reached the greater Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. Attendance is by season ticket membership, which is offered at low-cost to the community. These programs are always well attended and many fill the sanctuary to its maximum capacity.

ALLSTARS Children’s Choir

ALLSTARS is an acronym for the mission we hope to accomplish during the time your child(ren) are a part of our program.

S -
T -
A -
R -
S -

Share Christ with them.
Team together with other believers.
Accelerate them in their faith.
Recognize their uniqueness.
Surrender their lives to Christ.

Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

!!!!! ALLSTARS will resume on Wednesday, September 8th !!!!!

Each year the Children’s Choir performs two musicals, one in the Christmas season and another at the end of spring. Students sing, act and work together as they learn about their Lord and Savior.

We offer bus pick up at certain schools for this program. For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Children's Director.

For more information about this ministry please
contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Assistant Choir Director.

Information and Resources

ALLSTARS Music Program

ALLSTARS Registration Form

Sanctuary Choir

Sanctuary Choir provides leadership each Sunday morning for traditional worship services. The choir is of a mix of music readers and novices who are highly committed to giving excellent quality of performances. The music library, with over 1000 anthems, is rich in traditional and contemporary literature. The Sanctuary Choir meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7PM. In addition to providing regular Sunday service music, the Sanctuary prepares two large works, many times accompanied by orchestra, each year, including the Christmas and Easter seasons. Sanctuary Choir is open to adults of all ages.

Contemporary Worship Band

First Harvest is a Contemporary Worship Service designed to reach those searching for a relationship with Jesus Christ. We can be categorized as cutting edge contemporary worship and Christian pop interspersed with the occassional traditional hymn in an up to date arrangement.

Balaam's Donkey is the name of our band. It comes from Numbers 22. We figure that if God can use a donkey, then He can surely use us. We are comprised of two rotating bands that are lead by our band leader, Jared Jennings and our worship planner Stephanie Wheat.

If you are interested in more information about the worship service or the band, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Various Small Ensembles

First United Methodist Church is filled with talented musicians who are eager to serve the music ministry. Ad hoc musical ensembles are formed to provide special music for worship experiences. Interested instrumental musicians should contact the Music Director for participation in these ensembles.

5th Sunday at 5

5th Sunday at 5 is a program geared toward music held the fifth Sunday of months that have a fifth Sunday. All programs are held at 5PM. Especially popular are the Cokesbury Hymnfests and the special “Hanging of the Greens” service with a carol sing at the beginning of the Christmas season.