music & worship ministry

Our desire as a church is to reflect what this scripture says in Sharing Jesus, Loving People. Our goal is to share the message of Christ in every aspect of our Music Ministry. That is our number one purpose: to lift God up. That is why our worship is Dynamic. Utilizing choirs, praise teams, rhythm bands, orchestras, and dramas, one will find a blend of music to accomplish that goal. As you scroll down our different groups, you will find a place to engage your gifts with us. Our ministry will love you to love others through the gift of music. Join us as we strive to reach our community and world for Christ.

Sharing Jesus and Loving People through music is what we strive to do at First Baptist Church Grand Prairie. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Rehearsal Times

Praise Band, Worship Band & Praise Team

8:00 - 9:00 am Sunday in the Worship Center

Worship Choir

6:30 - 7:30 pm Wednesday in the Worship Center

Prairie Sounds

9:30 - 10:30 am Tuesday in the Choir Room

Serendipity Choir

10:30- 11:15 am Thursday in the Choir Room

Sweet Strings (Dulcimers)

11:15 - 12:00 pm Tuesday in the Choir Room

Worship Choir

Our Worship Choir is the lead choir for our 9:30 am blended service, which is live on YouTube. We welcome anyone who loves blended worship (hymns and contemporary songs) and rehearsing singing all musical styles, from classical to contemporary special music. Our choir has performed for Lifeline and The Promise. We also sang cantatas for Christmas, Easter, and other programs. Join us to fill the choir loft each Sunday.

Serendipity Choir

The Serendipity Choir is made up of Senior Adults who love to sing and have a good time. We meet on Thursdays from 10:30 - 11:15 am in the choir room from September through May. The choir sings quarterly in our Sunday services as well as in nursing homes and retirement centers, and they take a Mission Trip every year. Their Mission trips have been to Oklahoma, New Mexico, and the State of Texas. They have also provided music for Lifeline here in Grand Prairie. Come join us if you are looking for something to do, especially during your retirement years.

Prairie Sounds

Prairie Sounds is a band of senior adults who love to play and sing Christian Blue Grass/Country Music. This group, at present, is made up of three guitars, a lead vocalist, a banjo, and an electric bass. The group plays for Sunday School parties, Mission Trips, revivals, nursing homes/retirement centers, and our church. Prairie Sounds is not accepting players at this time, but we welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone interested in joining the group.

Sweet Strings (dulcimers)

Sweet Strings is a group of senior adults who play and practice on the dulcimer. The dulcimer is an original American drone instrument created by Irish settlers in the early 1900s. It has become a popular instrument among senior adults because of how easy it is to play as well as the cost of the instrument. Our dulcimer band has performed at local retirement centers and participates in our Mission Trips. If you would love to learn a new instrument, come to join us. 

Worship Band

Our Worship Band plays for our blended 9:30 am service. It currently consists of flute, clarinet, alto sax, soprano sax, french horn, trumpet, baritone TC, and cello. We welcome 11th and 12th-grade high school students and adults who have played in high school/college or professionally. Players need to be able to read music of all keys.

Praise Band

The Praise Band is the rhythm band for our worship services. They play for both the blended 9:30 am and Contemporary 11 am services each Sunday. The band is made up of a pianist, keyboard, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, electric bass, flute, conga, etc., and drums. We always welcome experienced players who can read music/or play professionally.

Praise Team

Our Praise Team is our premier group that helps the Minister of Music lead worship on Sundays for both 9:30 and 11 am services. This group, chosen by the Minister of Music, is engaged in our Music Ministry. They must be a part of our worship choir and be able to blend as an ensemble. They also must be able to read music on a limited basis since rehearsal for each Sunday’s service is limited.

Joel Salazar, Minister of music

Joel came to First Baptist Church as Minister of Music in 2009. He is a graduate of Houston Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Rebecca, also an HBU and seminary graduate. Becky (Honey) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Joel and Becky are blessed to have three grown children. Robin, who is married to Dustin Dovrak, is the Children’s Minister at Birdville Baptist Church in Haltom City, John works in sales in the DFW area, and Ruth teaches music in Tyler. Joel’s passion is to see everyone sing and worship the Lord. He is thankful to be a part of the FBC staff.