Music at Lakeside

Sunday by Sunday several hundred people gather in our beautiful sanctuary for worship. We are different people with varied backgrounds, interest and concerns. We gather as individuals, couples and families; yet when the first hymn begins we rise together and sing as one body of believers. The music of the faith brings us together and unites us as one body. We sing not for each other, but to God, we sing to voice our faith and praise our Creator. The music of worship reveals the presence of God among us.

Music has always had an important place in the lives and worship of the people of God. “Faith is meant to be sung” declares hymnist Jane Parker Huber (Rev. Ed Hird, “Catharsis of Love”, Deep Cove Crier: Nov. 1993 ) and so it has been since people first gathered as a worshiping community. First and foremost, music aids us in our praise of God which is, of course, our primary purpose in life. Our hymns and anthems offer us fresh and affirming ways to understand God and our relationships with one another.

Through his gifted direction, Jerry Jolley draws music from our choirs that is nothing but inspired. Mark Gansor makes the organ produce melodious notes, which touch the many moods we bring to worship and turns them into offerings to God. Our adult and youth Bell Choirs provide us with music that transforms complexity into simple purity. Each of our Children's and Youth Choirs remind us of the freshness of the Gospel and the new ways in which God's love can and must be proclaimed. Our Chancel Choir, whether as full choir, ensemble or soloists, guides our worship and molds our celebrations with passion and sensitivity.

Lakeside recognizes the importance of music and is proud of its tradition of musical excellence.

Thanks be to God for musicians and music and the grace of song!


The CHANCEL CHOIR is composed of approximately 25-30 adults. From September through May this choir rehearses in the Barbara Biggs music suite at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday morning in the sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. During the summer months they rehearse in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. Their anthems and Call to Worship are a diverse presentation of different styles of church music. However, the literature is basically traditional. They process and recess, ending the service with a Choral Response at the rear of the sanctuary. At Christmas and Easter as well as others times during the year, the choir is joined by musicians from the North Carolina Symphony, as well as by outstanding vocal and orchestral musicians from across the state. This choir has preformed the Christmas and Easter sections of Handel's Messiah as well as other Christian Cantatas. In the fall of the year, they participate with several other local choirs in the West Haven Choral Festival. Under the direction of Rev. Jerry Jolley and accompied by organist, Mark Gansor, this choir is recognized as a leader of music in the Rocky Mount area.

The YOUTH CHOIR was re-formed in 2000 for youth in grades 6 through 12. The choir performs throughout the year during the morning worship service as well as at other special services. On occasion they join the Chancel Choir in the singing of an anthem. In the spring, they participate in the CBF State Youth Choir. The practice for the Youth Choir is held on Sunday evening at 5:00 p. in the Barbara Biggs Music Suite during the school year. No practice is held during the summer months. They are under the direction of Jerry Jolley, Music Minister and accompied by volunteers.

The CHILDREN'S CHOIR was formed so that children from kindergarten through the 5 th grade would be able to perform in the worship service several times a year. They bring joy and delight with their “angelic” voices and smiles. When they participate they wear robes and process with the Chancel Choir. They occasionally perform for the Sunday night fellowship supper. Children's music is viewed as part of the church's Christian education program. They practice during the school year at 6:15 p.m. in the Barbara Biggs Music Suite. Jerry Jolley, Music Minister and volunteers lead this choir.

Back to top of page

The ADULT HANDBELL CHOIR is composed of approximately 15 members . This choir has 5 octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of hand chimes. They perform throughout the year during the morning worship service, as well as for Sunday night fellowship suppers. On occasion, some of the bells are used in conjunction with the organ. From September through May this group of musicians practice on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Barbara Biggs Music Suite under the direction of Jerry Jolley, Minister of Music.

The YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIR is for youth in grades 6 through 12. They perform during the year at the Sunday morning services. Some of the youth participate only in the HAND CHIME CHOIR. The practice sessions are held on Sunday evening during the school year at 5:00p.m. Jerry Jolley, Minister of Music directs this choir.

The Lakeside Organ was installed in 1971 by Casavant Freres Limited of St. Hyacinthe , Quebec , Canada and enhanced in 1984 with the addition of the Trompettes-en-chamade. In 1996 the organ was revoiced and made more versatile by increasing the capacity of the musical combinations. The keyboards and chimes were refurbished in 2003. The organ has 26 ranks. The congregation has entered into a contract with Casavant Freres to build a new pipe organ. The new instrument will have 36 ranks, 3 of which will be housed in an antiphonal on the back wall of the sanctuary. The organ and the renovation of the chancel will be completed by the end of January 2009.

Back to top of page