Music Ministries
The Music Ministry at First Methodist Church Minden has a rich heritage, long-supported by both its congregation and church leadership. A historic and notable fact about the music ministry is that it was under the leadership of one remarkable man – Earle Cooke, also a pillar of the regional music education community – for fifty years! Music directors who have followed and tried to maintain Mr. Cooke’s legacy have had quite an assignment!
The Music Suite and Choir Room, named in honor and memory of Mr. Cooke, is state-of-the-art, featuring a seating configuration identical to the choir loft in the sanctuary directly above the choir room, and a connected though separate music library / work area, housing more than 700 choral titles, as well as an adjoining robing area and a separate office for the Director of Music. The choir room piano is a 6’ Yamaha Grand, donated to the music ministry by the late Mrs. Sidney Allen in memory of her grandson, Jay.
The musical instruments in the sanctuary are a 2 manual, 19-rank pipe organ built by Dan Garland. It includes a set of Zimbelstern bells and a recently installed new set of Mayland organ chimes. The piano is a 6-foot Yamaha Conservatory Grand. Both instruments are well-maintained, frequently tuned and serviced, and both are used in every worship service held in the sanctuary, often as piano-organ duets for preludes or offertories.
Music in the traditional worship service at MFMC is quite eclectic in genre and style, featuring both revered and new choral arrangements of familiar hymn tunes, both historic and newly-composed or arranged. Our new hymnal, dedicated and put into service in early 2024 is Our Great Redeemer’s Praise, the newly-adopted hymnal of the Global Methodist Church. A feature of the new hymnal is its inclusion of many newly-composed, more contemporary texts wedded to familiar and favorite tunes, as well as many fresh new tunes, selected for their sing-ability and quick learning by the congregation, who seem to embrace learning “a new song” as Scripture encourages all believers to do! Many traditional, all-time favorite hymns omitted from earlier hymnals have also been re-instated.
The ultimate goal of all music in our worship services is to offer genuine, inspirational, passionate praise to God – and all for His glory!
Music Ministry Staff
Director of Music
Dr. Dan Gibbs, current Director of Music, returned to MFMC in October, 2023, having served the church previously 2001-2010. A life-long church musician, Dan holds four music degrees, including a seminary Master of Music degree from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and the D.M.A. in piano performance from the University of North Texas in Denton, where he studied with Joseph Banowetz. Dan is passionate and intentional about worship-planning and preparation of meaningful choral and keyboard music for use in worship. Dan directs the Chancel Choir and the King’s Kids group.
Organist
Helen Nelson, Organist / Pianist, joined the FMCM music staff in June, 2024, following a fruitful 30-year ministry at Minden’s First Baptist Church. She also serves as accompanist for King’s Kids, as well as “director of keyboard music” (since she is responsible for selecting – and assigning! -- piano and organ music used in worship services). Helen is a continual breath of fresh air and positivity, and a valued member of the music team.
Praise Band Leader
We are blessed to have Nile Havens as our 2nd Street Praise Band Leader. Nile is a gifted singer and guitarist who has been leading our praise and worship music for over a year. He and his wife Amanda bless us with their gifts and talents each week in our early service. Nile not only sings and plays each week, but he also plans the service music, prayerfully selecting songs that we know and bring us to into the presence of God.
Assistant Praise Band Leader
Cynthia Sandige has been a staple of the music community in the Minden area for many years. She and her family have been performing gospel and other music in various places for several generations. She is also a gifted guitarist and singer. We are blessed to have her as our Tuesday morning yogini (Yoga Class Leader) as well. Those classes are free and open to anyone at 11:00 am.
Music Ministry Groups
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is an all-volunteer group of individuals who love to sing together and prepare meaningful music for worship services each week. The choir rehearses in the Music Suite on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:30 pm. Occasionally, depending upon the season or event calendar, rehearsals may be moved temporarily to Thursday evenings, to accommodate other singers from the community for special events, such as annual Freedom Sunday, celebrated the last Sunday of June. Membership in any choir striving for excellence requires commitment from its members, and our choir is no exception: members are very serious about their preparation of music for services and special programs, and always welcome other singers who feel the same way!
King’s Kids
King’s Kids is a Music-Drama Activity for kids grades 1 – 5, meeting on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 pm. It is directed by the Director of Music and accompanied by the church organist. King’s Kids currently are scheduled to sing once a month in the 10:45 am traditional worship service, and usually present Christmas and / or spring musicals each year, depending upon the number of children participating. At MFMC, children’s music is not just about music! It is about nurturing the whole child -- spiritually, socially and musically!
