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. Under the direction of John Haines, Pastor of Worship, the various choirs, worship ensembles, 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 Eastman School of Music, John continued his studies at Reformed Theological Seminary and then earned his Master of Biblical Studies, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Theology from St. Timothy’s Theological College and Seminary and St. Andrew’s Theological College and seminary, respectively. 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
Shane Davis, Worship Associate
sdavis@briarwood.org
Hannah Darlington, Worship Associate
hdarlington@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
Shane Davis, Worship Associate
sdavis@briarwood.org
Hannah Darlington, Worship Associate
hdarlington@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 presents a variety of musical events throughout the year. The choir is a family that cares for one another and a place that you can find a significant outlet for ministry. Choir members click here to access the virtual rehearsal files.
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 presents a variety of musical events throughout the year. The choir is a family that cares for one another and a place that you can find a significant outlet for ministry. Choir members click here to access the virtual rehearsal files.
Chamber and Early Music Ensembles
The Chamber and Early Music Ensembles are by invitation or audition and rehearse and perform on an “as-scheduled” basis. For additional information, please contact Pastor John Haines.
The Chamber and Early Music Ensembles are by invitation or audition and rehearse and perform on an “as-scheduled” basis. For additional information, please contact Pastor John Haines.
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. 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. 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 Worship Teams
The Worship Teams are made of auditioned singers and band members and lead in the multi-generational presentation of congregational Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Some members sing and play on rotation while others are more regularly scheduled. For additional information, please contact Pastor Haines.
The Worship Teams are made of auditioned singers and band members and lead in the multi-generational presentation of congregational Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Some members sing and play on rotation while others are more regularly scheduled. For additional information, please contact Pastor Haines.
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 to sharpen their musical skills and 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 to sharpen their musical skills and 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 recordings dating back to 1977 from the choirs and handbell choirs that have blessed Briarwood over the decades. You can access those recordings with the link below, or watch our latest concerts and performances on the Briarwood YouTube channel.
We have recordings dating back to 1977 from the choirs and handbell choirs that have blessed Briarwood over the decades. You can access those recordings with the link below, or watch our latest concerts and performances on the Briarwood YouTube channel.