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Music has always been important in the life of the Tulare First Baptist Church. In June 1892, five years after Tulare First Baptist Church was formed, the records show that the first organ of the Church was purchased at a cost of $90.00 from a Mr. Johnson, after a committee found it to be in good condition. This was a lot of money for our church, especially since the pastor was paid $17.60 a month, so it took them about a year to pay off the debt after much fund raising from the members. From the very beginning it was noted that Mrs. A. J. Woodward, one of the founding members of our church, was named Chorister (Choir Leader) and remained in that position for many years. We have no record of those early days as to the choir and the music they sang but it is noted that Mrs. Jesse Green, 1896, Pastor's wife and a charming woman, was an encouragement to the music ministry of that day. Rev. King is remembered for his beautiful singing. He gave up a career in the world of music to become a minister. It was during his short term as pastor that the Choir first wore robes and to be the first Church Choir in Tulare to have robes.

Sometimes during the early 1920's the old organ was removed from theSanctuary and only a large upright Piano was used. Beulah Harris tells us that she often sang solos in the 20', 30's and 40's. A Women's Quartet, very popular those days as well, consisted of Mrs. Jennie Munger, Ora Askin, Edna Elmendorf and Beulah Harris. Beulah recalls that Fannie Besse was faithful as the pianist for many years. During Rev. Licklider's ministry from 1934-41, elaborate pageants and plays were given. Authentic Biblical costumes were made and used many times for years to come. Music played a big part in those productions. A Mrs. Nixon, whose husband was manager of Leggett's Department Store, was a dramatist and directed these programs.

It was during Rev. William Jackson' ministry (1943-1951) that the first electric organ, a Hammond, and Chimes were purchased (1946). Organists were difficult to find then and volunteers played the organ as their service to the Lord without remuneration. Not all past organists are remembered, but some who played the organ were Lorraine Fleischmann, (later a missionary in Japan), Mrs. Lois Henderson and Otie Nicholson. Gavin Fell served as organist from 1949-1958. Mrs. Jan Shipman in 1959 was the first to receive payment for her services as organist.

Not all Choir Directors are known and remembered, and they also served on a volunteer basis. In 1948 Mrs. Amanda Perry became the Choir Director and served in that position until 1972. It was during her leadership that the ministry of music grew and Jane Shipman Hill accompanied these programs.

There were often small Junior Choirs put together for a certain Sunday school program in the 1940's, but the first organized Junior Choir was started in 1956. The Crusader Choir, as it was called, sang once a month of at the worship services and for special musical program. The first choir robes were white short robes. Later Choir robes of teal blue were made by the Choir Mothers and proudly worn at each performance. The piano accompanists were young pianists who showed promise as future Church pianists and organists. They were Norman Richert, Eldeana York, Merryl Perry and Amber Benton. Alice Garrison and Jean Bergman were director and piano assistants; Choir Mothers were also helpful with refreshments and scheduled events.

From about 1968 the Director of Music Amanda Perry received $100 a month for expenses incurred while directing the 3 choirs. When Amanda resigned in 1972, Lois Zearly and Norma Williams filled in until Jim Zearly, who had come up through the Junior and Youth Choirs, to become the Director for about a year. Ron Thrasher then assumed this position and the first member to receive a salary in this position. When Jane Shipman Hill resigned, Merryl Perry became the Organist and served from 1968-1970. Alice Garrison then became the Organist and served till Bonnie Piepgrass came in 1978. That year also saw the purchase of our present Rodgers Organ. This purchase was made possible because whenever there was a musical program, an offering was taken to add to the "New Organ Fund." In 1985 Bill Johnson was called as organist and continues to this day.

Nick Bailey was called to be the Minister of Music in 1974, the first one to come on staff in a salaried position, and he served for 7 years, and he holds the same position at a church in Bakersfield to this day. Nick produced a record while he was in Tulare and was quite talented musically. Don Fenderson was called in 1981 and continued building our program until at one point our music included not only an adult choir, but also two children/youth choirs, and a puppet music ministry. It was also at this time that Hugh and Delores Ross made possible a gift of two bell sets, one for adults and another for youth. The Choir and Bells programs even traveled to perform, and our musical programs became so large they were held at the Tulare Memorial Building because of the limitation on size of our old sanctuary, where the activity center is now.

John (JR) Relph will always be remembered for his musical talent and also for the beautiful Baldwin Concert piano used today, in which the purchase was financed through members "buying" one of the 88 keys, which was a complete success. John Giger and Steve Jordahl followed the call next, with Wava Myers as an interim until in 1996 when Judy Medcalf, the Pastor's wife felt the call to continue this valuable music and worship ministry until this week. Judy is also well known in Tulare because of her talent with so many of our children in providing piano and voice lesson over the years.

Thanks to Amanda Perry for compiling most of the information several years ago,
and the recollections from many of those who are no longer with us today.