Ecumenical Service
The First Baptist Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra
Dr. Aaron Jackson, Minister of Music & Worship

The First Baptist Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra are the principal worship leading ensembles of First Baptist Church-Huntsville. These groups provide musical offerings each Sunday morning and are well-known to our community and region due to the live broadcast of the Sanctuary Worship service on Sundays (WHNT-19, 10:30am) and the annual presentations of The Living Christmas Tree.
Known for its extraordinary programming of worship and concert repertoire, members of the choir and orchestra come from all walks of life and represent a unique international blend of ages and musical backgrounds.
In recent years the choir was featured at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and in concert with numerous professional musicians. In 2024 members of the choir and orchestra completed an American Tapestry Chorus Tour of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Known for its extraordinary programming of worship and concert repertoire, members of the choir and orchestra come from all walks of life and represent a unique international blend of ages and musical backgrounds.
In recent years the choir was featured at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and in concert with numerous professional musicians. In 2024 members of the choir and orchestra completed an American Tapestry Chorus Tour of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Dr. Aaron Jackson is the Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama. In this capacity, he oversees a comprehensive music ministry, which includes both choral and instrumental ensembles. Before moving to Huntsville in 2023, he was an adjunct professor of music at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC and Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC where he taught conducting courses and improvisational piano.
In addition to ministry and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Jackson appears regularly as a guest conductor and maintains an active schedule as a local and regional choral clinician and adjudicator. He has also been an active leader in both North Carolina ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and Southern Region ACDA.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Church Music degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Campbell University.
He and his wife Laura, daughter Julia, and son Barnabas, reside in Huntsville, AL.
In addition to ministry and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Jackson appears regularly as a guest conductor and maintains an active schedule as a local and regional choral clinician and adjudicator. He has also been an active leader in both North Carolina ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and Southern Region ACDA.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Church Music degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Campbell University.
He and his wife Laura, daughter Julia, and son Barnabas, reside in Huntsville, AL.
Headliner Concert
The Alabama Choral Society
Dr. Melinda Doyle, Artistic Director

Established in 2022, the ALABAMA CHORAL SOCIETY was founded on a reputation of artistic excellence. Consisting of highly skilled singers, the chorus seeks to inspire audiences through rich and diverse repertoire. The Alabama Choral Society, for which Dr. Melinda Doyle serves as Artistic Director & Founder, is housed at the University of Montevallo. In addition to achieving the highest level of choral artistry, ACS seeks to incorporate educational outreach and community enrichment as a part of its mission. Recent performances include the Alabama American Choral Directors Association Summer Conference 2022 and 2024, as well as numerous concertsthroughout the Southeast region.
From the Artistic Director…
This endeavor promises many exciting opportunities. Through choral excellence, it is my hope that this organization will make a difference not only in our own lives, but in the lives of all those around us. What an incredible privilege to share the gift of singing with each other while inspiring those around us. I am so very grateful for all the contributions that each of you offer to this wonderful organization. Collectively, we are performing artists that stive to create beauty and meaning though our singing. As music connects us, we will continuously strive to create unity though our journey and provide hope for all who share in our musical experiences.
From the Artistic Director…
This endeavor promises many exciting opportunities. Through choral excellence, it is my hope that this organization will make a difference not only in our own lives, but in the lives of all those around us. What an incredible privilege to share the gift of singing with each other while inspiring those around us. I am so very grateful for all the contributions that each of you offer to this wonderful organization. Collectively, we are performing artists that stive to create beauty and meaning though our singing. As music connects us, we will continuously strive to create unity though our journey and provide hope for all who share in our musical experiences.

MELINDA S. DOYLE is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montevallo, where she conducts the Concert Choir, University Chorus and teaches undergraduate courses in choral conducting and choral methods. Dr. Doyle received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting under the tutelage of Dr. Kenneth Fulton, with a related field of orchestral conducting from Louisiana State University. Her previous appointments have included Visiting Choral Director at Tulane University, Visiting Director of Choral Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, Director of Music and Worship at University United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, Director of Music at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, Director of Choirs at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, and Director of Choral Activities at Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High School, both in Tampa, Florida. Choirs under Dr. Doyle’s direction have offered invitational performances for the American Choral Directors Association Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, Florida Music Educators Association Conference, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra as well as some of the finest performance venues throughout Europe. In summer 2015, she led the University of Montevallo Concert Choir on its inaugural European tour with multiple concerts in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Vienna. In summer 2018, they embarked on their second international tour to the United Kingdom and France and performed at such venues as King’s College in Cambridge, Canterbury Cathedral, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. More recently, the Concert Choir made its New York Carnegie Hall debut in a featured performance under her direction for the 2019 Gotham Sings Choral and Ensemble Showcase. Frequently in demand as a clinician and adjudicator, she has conducted honor choirs at all levels. Currently serving at the Alabama ACDA Past President, she served as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for College and University Choirs for the Alabama American Choral Director Association (ACDA) and served in the same capacity as the High School Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Florida ACDA. Dr. Doyle remains an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), and Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA). Dr. Doyle is also the music and artistic director of the Alabama Choral Society.
Headliner Concert
The Dawson Sanctuary Ensemble
Brent Coleman, Conductor

The Dawson Sanctuary Ensemble is one of twelve different musical ensembles that serve to lead worship at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church located in Homewood, Alabama. This is an auditioned group comprised of adults who also lead each week as a part of the Dawson Sanctuary Choir. This group’s primary function is to provide special music several times throughout the year for the Dawson congregation as well as other churches in the metro Birmingham area.

Brent Coleman has been serving as Music Associate of Ensembles at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church since December 2002. Mr. Coleman’s responsibilities include conducting the Middle School Choir, Chapel Ensemble, Sanctuary Ensemble, singing in the Sanctuary Choir, and the Men's Quartet. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Auburn University in 1994. Brent is married to Andrea and they have two daughters, Sophie and Selah.
Brent is also the Choral Director of Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills where over 200 students currently participate in the choral program. Mr. Coleman’s choirs have consistently been awarded superior ratings at the District, State and National level festivals during his tenure. The Pizitz Girls’ Choir was selected to perform at the Southern Regional ACDA Conference in Charleston, West Virginia in 2006 and most recently in Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. The Pizitz Girls' Choir has also had the privilege of performing at the Alabama Music Educator's Conference in 2001, 2005 and 2020. His students have participated in the Alabama All-State Festivals, the Alabama Young Voices Festivals and ACDA Honor Choirs. Mr. Coleman is a member of NAfME, AMEA, AVA, and ACDA.
Brent is also the Choral Director of Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills where over 200 students currently participate in the choral program. Mr. Coleman’s choirs have consistently been awarded superior ratings at the District, State and National level festivals during his tenure. The Pizitz Girls’ Choir was selected to perform at the Southern Regional ACDA Conference in Charleston, West Virginia in 2006 and most recently in Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. The Pizitz Girls' Choir has also had the privilege of performing at the Alabama Music Educator's Conference in 2001, 2005 and 2020. His students have participated in the Alabama All-State Festivals, the Alabama Young Voices Festivals and ACDA Honor Choirs. Mr. Coleman is a member of NAfME, AMEA, AVA, and ACDA.