Music



	Music Ministry Our Director of Music Ministries, LaTerry Butler, lends professionalism to our choirs and ensembles while bringing a spark of enthusiasm and freshness in his leadership. He is a virtuoso on the organ, piano and digital keyboard, as well as other instruments. LaTerry has done graduate studies at the Juilliard and the Manhattan Schools of Music. He also holds a Colleague Certification (CAGO) from the American Guild of Organists. Originally from Michigan, he earned his B.A. degree from Wayne State University. He toured extensively both nationally and internationally as Music Dir. with Broadway Shows, such as Ain't Misbehavin", The Wiz, Showboat and Westside Story. LaTerry was also the featured keyboard player for a luncheon involving Vice President Al Gore in New Jersey. Before his current residence in Sarasota, he was organist and choir-director in various churches in Michigan, New York City, New Jersey and Florida. His accomplishments are vast. LaTerry is the recipient of major honors and awards in the music field. He and his wife, Tammy Elaine - a 4th grade teacher, are thankful to God for the ability to work and make a living in the performing, educational and visual arts.

	Music Statement from the Director of Music Ministries Embodied within the 1st of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), is the foundation for the worship and praise of the One, True, Living, Sovereign God. Beyond that, David, the famed singer/musician/songwriter and warrior of Israel, consistently encourages Praising God throughout the book of Psalms, for God's goodness to the people who worship Him! Most important, since the time of Jesus Christ, is that Praise and Worship demonstrates an elevated spiritual human response to the supernatural presence of His Holy Spirit that brings peace, grace, compassion and truth to those that worship Him into this present age. As the Director of Music Ministries for a growing and sometimes struggling Community of Faith, it is an uncalculated responsibility to strive in keeping the music program Christ-centered while, simultaneously, attracting and properly developing and utilizing the musical skills and talents of all individuals, inclusively, within the Faith community. The Apostle Paul wrote in I. Corinthians 9:22 that: ”I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” Paul also wrote on two separate occasions in the New Testament concerning music that state, essentially, the same thing: “...addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart...” - Ephesians 5:19 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 The application of these aforementioned scriptures is where much of Music Ministry takes place. The main focus and effort of this music department is to offer as wide and varied a program as is feasible, so that someone from almost any cultural background will find something here to help that one draw closer to Christ.

	Sanctuary Choir The Sanctuary Choir here at Saint James is the longest established group of the music program and is found in the traditional worship services involving choir, soloists & guest artists making musical presentations from both the classical/conventional and modern repertoire. This group serves the traditional 11:00 a.m. Worship Service utilizing the classic, grand hymns of the church along with up-dated songs and anthems. The main instrumentation is Organ and Piano, with Mrs. Nancy Haislip serving as pianist and choir accompanist, along with Mr. LaTerry Butler, Director of Music Ministries, serving as Choir-Director/Organist. This group is open to anyone having choral singing experience. Come enjoy the fellowship and learn how the music ties into your faith.

	Rehearsal is each Wednesday at 7:35 p.m.

	Life Anchor Praise Ensemble The Life Anchor Worship Service utilizes the opportunity to present contemporary vocal and instrumental praise & worship music in the context of worship services. The musical styles utilized here can vary from folk/country through Christian Rock to Urban Gospel using guitars, digital keyboards and percussion/drums! Participation in this group is by vocal try-out and interview.

	Rehearsal is each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., as well as the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m.

	Kid'z 4 Christ "Kid'z Chorus"
	Practice begins promptly 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Open to all 2nd through 5th graders.		There exists the ongoing music outreach to the youth and community through our Wednesday Discovery Night program. This program provides an opportunity for the children to gain the virtues of self-discipline through learning up-beat new sacred songs vocally, along with creative dance movement. After much preparation this group makes their own unique musical presentations for Sunday Worship Services once a month and during special occasions.

	The Bells of St. James - Hand Bell / Hand Chime Choir This congregation is blessed to have obtained a full 61-note, five-octave Schulmerich Hand-Bell set that not only looks great but also sounds wonderful in the good acoustical setting of the St. James UMC Sanctuary. This is the only instrument that takes a team effort. If you've ever played an instrument in school or know your music rudiments, come enjoy a healthy physical workout along with good fellowship through bell ringing.
			Hand-bell practice time: 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and on the Saturday prior to the Sunday presentation of each the month at 9:00 a.m.!

	The Youth Fellowship Band comprises of Youth Praise & Worship Team Teenagers and pre-teens who enjoy an active role in the Music Ministry Dept. by participating in an ensemble of their peers singing and playing their style of music. What is unique about this group is that they are the only music ministry group here that gets to select their own (Christian oriented) music that the director of music ministries supervises for their presentations. They meet every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. during Discovery Night for a 2-hour rehearsal and fellowship time.

	Drama/Dance Ministry As the result of successful sacred drama/dance presentations during recent High Holy Day observations, (Christmas, Resurrection Day, etc.), a drama and dance ministry has been established as an extension of the music ministries of St. James UMC. The vision is to involve more dramatic ministry presentations within the worship service context in an on-going basis.

	When the personnel can be provided, future plans envision the establishment of a Men's Chorus along with a graded children's choir program.