MUSIC MINISTRY
To become a church whose worship fully glorifies God in Spirit, truth and unity of mind and heart, as a model to encourage congregations throughout the world.
ABOUT OUR MINISTRY
The Briarwood Music Ministry is an important part of the worship of the Lord at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Under the direction of John Haines, Pastor of Worship, the various choirs and the orchestra seek to glorify God, encourage the Body of Christ, and magnify the message of salvation through music and song.
Our vision is to become a church whose worship fully glorifies God in Spirit, truth and unity of mind and heart, as a model to encourage congregations throughout the world.
Our vision is to become a church whose worship fully glorifies God in Spirit, truth and unity of mind and heart, as a model to encourage congregations throughout the world.
John Haines, Worship Pastor
After earning a Master of Music from the University of Rochester and a Master of Divinity from St. Timothy’s Theological College and Seminary, John completed his studies by earning both a Master’s and Doctor of Theology from St. Andrew’s Theological College and Seminary. John began working at Briarwood in 2017 upon the prompting of the Holy Spirit on his life. He is married to Jenny, and together they have four married children and five grandchildren.
Phone: 205.776.5228 • jhaines@briarwood.org
Music Ministry Staff:
Hunter Goff, Choir Accompanist/Church Organist
goffhunter@gmail.com
Chris Neugent, Orchestra Director
cneugent@briarwood.org
Daniel Cason, Church Pianist
casonmusik@aol.com
Shanna Phillips, Children's Choir Director
sphillips@briarwood.org
Penny Philley, Music Administrative Assistant
Phone: 205.776.5229 • pphilley@briarwood.org
goffhunter@gmail.com
Chris Neugent, Orchestra Director
cneugent@briarwood.org
Daniel Cason, Church Pianist
casonmusik@aol.com
Shanna Phillips, Children's Choir Director
sphillips@briarwood.org
Penny Philley, Music Administrative Assistant
Phone: 205.776.5229 • pphilley@briarwood.org
Music Ministry Opportunities:
Adult (Sanctuary) Choir
The Adult Choir is the flagship ensemble of the music ministry and is open to those 18 and older. While formal training and music reading are not required, basic pitch matching skills and a love for leading the people of God in worship are. This group leads worship Lord’s Day mornings and also present a variety of musical events throughout the year. The choir is a family that cares for one another and place that you can find a significant outlet for ministry. Choir members click here to access the virtual rehearsal files. This is a password-protected site.
The Adult Choir is the flagship ensemble of the music ministry and is open to those 18 and older. While formal training and music reading are not required, basic pitch matching skills and a love for leading the people of God in worship are. This group leads worship Lord’s Day mornings and also present a variety of musical events throughout the year. The choir is a family that cares for one another and place that you can find a significant outlet for ministry. Choir members click here to access the virtual rehearsal files. This is a password-protected site.
The Briarwood Orchestra
The Briarwood Orchestra is made up of volunteers with a willingness to minister through music and a basic proficiency on an orchestral or band instrument. Psalm 150 states: “Praise Him with trumpet sound: praise him with lute and harp!” In like manner, the Orchestra strives to bring praise to our glorious God by supporting and enhancing the congregational singing, by presenting special anthems of praise, and by playing special program music throughout the year. The Orchestra meets on specified Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:00 and plays on Sunday mornings in both services.
The Briarwood Orchestra is made up of volunteers with a willingness to minister through music and a basic proficiency on an orchestral or band instrument. Psalm 150 states: “Praise Him with trumpet sound: praise him with lute and harp!” In like manner, the Orchestra strives to bring praise to our glorious God by supporting and enhancing the congregational singing, by presenting special anthems of praise, and by playing special program music throughout the year. The Orchestra meets on specified Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:00 and plays on Sunday mornings in both services.
The Praise Teams
The Praise Teams are made up of at least four singers and a full band (piano, synth, bass, guitars and drums), that sing/play one Sunday a month (four teams that rotate once each month). If you are interested in participating in the Adult Choir and serving on the Praise Team rotation, please contact us to schedule an audition.
The Praise Teams are made up of at least four singers and a full band (piano, synth, bass, guitars and drums), that sing/play one Sunday a month (four teams that rotate once each month). If you are interested in participating in the Adult Choir and serving on the Praise Team rotation, please contact us to schedule an audition.
Youth Worship Choir
The Briarwood Youth Worship Choir is open to all students in 7th–12th grades. This ministry is a great place for students, who not only to sharpen their musical skills but gain valuable insights into worship through many opportunities to lead in worship through singing. This close-knit group meets each Sunday from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at The Barn, September–May.
The Briarwood Youth Worship Choir is open to all students in 7th–12th grades. This ministry is a great place for students, who not only to sharpen their musical skills but gain valuable insights into worship through many opportunities to lead in worship through singing. This close-knit group meets each Sunday from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at The Barn, September–May.
Children's Choirs
We are so grateful to the Lord for our children’s choirs! Through children’s choirs the lives of our covenant children will be blessed as they learn to enthusiastically “sing unto the Lord a New Song!” Our Children’s Choirs meet each Lord’s Day evening during the worship hour at 6:15. Both groups (preschool and elementary choirs) are released from the worship service to their choirs. For more information, please contact Shanna Phillips.
We are so grateful to the Lord for our children’s choirs! Through children’s choirs the lives of our covenant children will be blessed as they learn to enthusiastically “sing unto the Lord a New Song!” Our Children’s Choirs meet each Lord’s Day evening during the worship hour at 6:15. Both groups (preschool and elementary choirs) are released from the worship service to their choirs. For more information, please contact Shanna Phillips.
A Musical Legacy
We have placed recordings dating back to 1977 from the choirs and handbell choirs that have blessed Briarwood over the decades. You can watch our latest concerts and performances on the Briarwood YouTube channel.
We have placed recordings dating back to 1977 from the choirs and handbell choirs that have blessed Briarwood over the decades. You can watch our latest concerts and performances on the Briarwood YouTube channel.