Music Ensembles
Our Mission
The mission of the Music Department is to prepare students to be professional musicians and music educators who will be equipped to lead church music ministry, to provide all students with educational and ensemble experiences that will increase their appreciation for music as an important element of worship and as an art form, and to serve the institution, the community, and constituent churches by providing concerts, musical events, and educational opportunities both on and off-campus.
Friends of Faith Music
Interested in partnering with our music ministry? Visit our “Friends of Music” page to support our students in their musical development and ministry.
Chorale
The Chorale is a large choral ensemble open to students of all disciplines by audition. Exposure is given to varied types and styles of choral literature, with the primary purpose of ministering the Word of God to audiences. This vocal group is under the direction of Dr. Christopher Ellis.
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is a select choral ensemble of 16-24 voices open to students of all disciplines by audition. Exposure is given to varied types and styles of choral literature, with the primary purposes of developing excellence in choral music and representing the institution in the community.
During the year, they travel further distances for music and ministry. These opportunities have recently included traveling to Germany to minister to the people and churches, singing the national anthem at Iowa Cubs and Kansas City Royals games, and performing at the Lincoln Center in New York City. This vocal group is under the direction of Dr. Christopher Ellis.
Uplift Ministry Team
The Uplift Ministry Team is a mixed ensemble consisting of a handful of skilled vocalists who travel to various churches to minister through special music and personal testimonies.
Orchestra
The orchestra is a select instrumental ensemble that provides opportunities for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players to perform sacred and classical works. Exposure is given to varied types and styles of orchestral literature, with the primary purposes of ministering the Word of God to audiences and developing excellence in orchestral music. This instrumental group is under the direction of Dr. Christopher Ellis.
Instrumental Ensemble
The Instrumental Ensemble is a flexible group for musicians who want to grow their playing skills, performing sacred and concert band literature for on-campus events and community outreach. This instrumental group is under the direction of Mrs. Jennifer Tylavsky.
Pep Band
The Pep Band is a lively ensemble of students who perform at sports games and pep rallies. This group is under the direction of Mr. Nathaniel Gerber.
Handbell Ensemble
Faith’s Handbell Ensemble is a talented group of musicians dedicated to creating beautiful, harmonious music through the unique art of handbell ringing. Open to students of all musical backgrounds, the ensemble fosters collaboration, musical growth, and the joy of sharing music with the community. Under the direction of Mrs. Sherri Nicholson, they perform in numerous on-campus concerts and occasionally minister in local churches.
Concert and Ministry Schedules
For more information on the upcoming concerts listed below, visit our events page!
On-Campus Concerts
| Date | Concert | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 3 (7:00 PM) | Faith Choral Festival Concert | Nettleton Center |
| Saturday, October 18 (7:00 PM) | Casual Classics | Nettleton Center |
| December 11 & 12 (7:00 PM) | Festival of Carols | Nettleton Center |
| Friday, April 10 (7:00 PM) | Spring Concert | Nettleton Center |
| Friday, April 17 (7:00 PM) | Evening of Classics | Nettleton Center |
| Thursday, May 7 (7:00 PM) | Commencement Concert | Nettleton Center |
Uplift Ministry Team Schedule
| Date | Church | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 7, 2025 | Grace Baptist Church | Harlan, IA |
| September 28, 2025 | Olivet Baptist Church | Westwood, KS |
| October 19, 2025 | Altoona Regular Baptist Church | Altoona, IA |
| November 9, 2025 | First Baptist Church | Cumberland, IA |
| January 5-9, 2026 | Worship Conference 2026 | Southland Christian Camp |
| January 18, 2026 | Calvary Baptist Church | Derby, KS |
| February 8, 2026 | Hagerman Baptist Church | Waterloo, IA |
| March 1, 2026 | Westwood Heights Baptist Church | Omaha, NE |
| March 29, 2026 | Chisago Lakes Baptist Church | Chisago City, MN |
| April 19, 2026 | Urbandale Baptist Church | Urbandale, IA |
| May 3, 2026 | Union Grove Baptist Church | Union Grove, WI |
