www.baptistcourier.com  - The handbell ringers of Ashley River Baptist Church, Charleston, launched a weeklong mission trip June 19, fulfilling a challenge that began four months ago on another continent.

Members of Ashley River Baptist Church's handbell choir - including (from left) Cathy Richardson, Wendy Taylor, Ann Marie Fairchild, Daphne Rice, Linda Yarborough, Chistopher Aleman, Sally Evitt, Ben Rice, Beverly Rawls and Joe Richardson - rehearse at the church a few days before departing for Uruguay. 

Does your church have a handbell group? Would they like to start one? Christine Anderson, an accomplished handbell concert artist, will be in Columbia Saturday, September 25, 2010 for the SC Baptist Handbell Fall Festival. Read inside for more information about schedule and registration.

Early registration deadline is September 1, 2010. 

Singing Churchmen will be hosting the HymnsAlive festival on Monday, March 1, 2010 at First Baptist, Florence. This concert will feature the Singing Churchmen, SeraphSong and local choir members. 

We are looking for high school students across the state with exceptional musical skills in Chorus, Orchestra, and Praise Teams. This year's leaders feature: Dr. Jane Warren-Belmont University, Nashville, TN; Holly Irvin-Morningside Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC; Russell & Kristi Johnson-Conway, SC 

www.baptistcourier.com  - Churches from Lakelands Baptist Association teamed together Sunday night, June 27, to present a patriotic musical, "Homeland," for the Greenwood community.

The 200-plus-member concert choir was composed of choristers from 20 different churches, and the 32-piece orchestra consisted of volunteers from neighboring churches, schools and colleges. The concert was directed by Mark Powers, director of the music and worship office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. 

It's back for another year!! This is the opportunity for students to demonstrate their excellent musical skills. Honors Children's Chorus is for students grades 5-6 and YouthSingers is for students grades 7-8.

Students will rehearse overnight and provide a final concert on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 6:00 pm at White Oak Conference Center.

Nominations for these groups are being taken now through October 7, 2010.