MUSIC MINISTRY:  CHOIRS

Larry Newton, Director of Music

Nelson Johnson, Musician

Louria Macon, Musician

Charles Owens, Guitarist

Duane James, Drummer

Choirs serve at all worship services, special services, funerals, etc.

UNITY CHOIR

The St. James AME Unity Choir serves two times per month. This choir uses traditional (hymns, anthems, spirituals) as well as contemporary music to add to the worship experience. Often, the Unity Choir accompanies the Pastor when she ministers to other churches in Bartow and surrounding communities. The Unity Choir also sponsors an annual “Musicfest” which features area choirs and other musically inspired Christians who love to sing and praise the Lord through song.

MALE CHOIR

The St. James AME Male Choir serves one time per month. Founded in 1990, by former Pastor Raymond G. Heastie, who often referred to this choir as his “posse”, the St. James Male Choir is well known throughout the AME connectional circuit as well as in other denominations. With their use of traditional (quartet style) and contemporary music, they provide electrifying musical selections in services in the local church and throughout central and south Florida.

YOUTH CHOIR

The St. James AME Youth Choir serves one time per month. They sing upbeat contemporary songs certain to “fire up” the congregants during the church worship experience. Using a combination of singing and rap selections, our youth often choreograph routines for selected songs. Some members also write original material which will be used in services during the next conference year. Finally, members of the youth choir are beginning to participate in community-based worship services in the Polk County area.