Press
First Baptist marks 225th anniversary with
Palm Sunday performance of Handel's 'Messiah'
Savannah Morning News | April 3, 2025
Although George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” may be best known for its “Hallelujah Chorus,” which is popular with church choirs during the Christmas season, the musical composition actually was composed for Easter.“It was written (in 1741) to be performed during Lent when the opera houses were shut down,” explained the Rev. Justin Addington, minister of music at First Baptist Church. Composed by Handel in just 24 days, “Messiah” is written like an opera with a chorus, soloists and orchestra, just not staged with costumes and scenery, Addington said.
Savannah Chorus Bringing Home an eEncore of Carnegie Hall Performance.
Savannah Morning News | March 21, 2024
It was a “dream come true” for the Richmond Hill High School Chorus (RHHSC) and its director to perform recently at New York City’s historic Carnegie Hall, the chorus’ director said this week after a whirlwind trip to the Big Apple. Janet Wooten, who has taught at RHHS for five years and has been in education for more than two decades, described the trip as unforgettable for both her and the 54 students who sang.
Christmas on Chippewa Grows into True
Community Event with 11 Choirs Participating
Savannah Morning News | December 7, 2023
Christmas on Chippewa Square is a First Baptist Church tradition that was started about 10 years ago. Addington said the event was originally conceived as a church talent show but has expanded through the years.“The First Baptist Church Music Ministry presented the bulk of the program in 2021 since it was the first Christmas back in the church since the pandemic,” he explained. “Last year, the concert was an all keyboard program, featuring the pianists and organists of the church in celebration of our pipe organ’s 100th anniversary. This year, to coincide with our new minister’s vision for reaching out to the community, we decided to make it a true community concert, featuring community ensembles, several of which have connections to our church.”
Savannah Men's Chorale to Perform
Inaugural Concert in Chippewa Square
Savannah Morning News | November 4, 2023
A newly formed men’s choir ― described as an eclectic group by its director ― has a couple of upcoming appearances, including its initial concert that will benefit charity. The Savannah Men's Chorale’s first concert will be Sunday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church downtown. The Rev. Dr. Justin Addington, who is minister of music and organist at First Baptist, said the concert is free, but a love offering will be taken. The chorale was the brainchild of Addington who revived a men’s chorus comprised of members of the Savannah Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and singers from their respective churches.
This Phantom Is Not at the Opera,
He's at the First Baptist Church
Savannah Morning News | October 16, 2022
Just in time for Halloween, Savannah-area residents will be treated to a showing of the silent movie, “The Phantom of the Opera,” complete with organ music played on a grand 100-year-old organ by a theater organist. The black-and-white classic film stars Lon Chaney as the deformed phantom who haunts the Paris opera house and will be presented by guest theater organist, Scott Foppiano, Sunday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 223 Bull St. The event is part of the church’s Organ Centennial Concert Series, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the installation of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at First Baptist.
E.M. Skinner Organ Celebrates 100 Years of
Beautiful Music at First Baptist Church
Savannah Morning News | January 10, 2022
A handful of area churches are blessed to have pipe organs in their sanctuaries, but only First Baptist Church of Savannah on Chippewa Square has the oldest organ and the largest with more than 4,000 pipes. This year marks the centennial celebration for the magnificent E.M. Skinner organ that has been a part of the sanctuary since 1922 and to celebrate the occasion a free organ concert series begins today at the historic church.
Tybee Post Theatre Welcomes Local Stars
to Host "Lights Up: a Broadway Review"
Tybee Island News | September 30, 2021
The Tybee Post Theater is slated to host “Lights Up: A Broadway Revue,” a performance by soprano Jessica Fishenfeld, mezzo-soprano Sara Zoe Budnik, baritone Trevor Martin and pianist Justin Addington. Join this dynamic vocal trio at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 at the historic Tybee Post Theater, 10 Van Horne Ave. on Tybee Island, to celebrate the return of Broadway and live performances in the United States.
Organ Restoration Pipes In New Excitement
South Carolina United Methodist Advocate | September 17, 2018
What started as a restoration project has become a full-scale catalyst for one United Methodist church in South Carolina, helping members honor their history while invigorating their future. For more than a year, St. John’s UMC has been painstakingly restoring their 1920s-era pipe organ to its complete health and glory once again.
St. John’s Music Director Featured in Rock Hill
Concert to Support Local Nonprofit
The Herald | February 12, 2018
A concert featuring St. John’s United Methodist Church music director Justin Addington will take place at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour on Feb. 17. All proceeds will benefit Education Equals Hope.
Where Music Meets Life at Skidaway Island
The Skinnie | May 16, 2016
It is well known among the arts organizations in Savannah that the patronage of Skidaway Island residents is vital to the continued growth of culture in our region. No one recognizes this more than Maria Zouves, co-founder of Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF), now in its fourth year. With this in mind, the increasingly popular non-profit organization will unveil details of its 2016 festival with a thrilling “Prelude to the Festival” concert, Tuesday, May 17, at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church (SIUMC).
Addington to Perform Organ Recital
Limestone University | October 17, 2015
Limestone College will host an organ recital by Justin L. Addington on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Fullerton Auditorium. The 7:30 p.m. event is free and open to the public. Addington, a Limestone alumnus, has served as Director of Music and Worship for Skidaway Island United Methodist Church in Savannah, Ga, since June of 2010. He was previously the organist and choirmaster at Buford Street United Methodist Church in Gaffney.
Organ Recital to Open Arts on Skidaway Concert Series
Savannah Morning News | October 8, 2015
Justin L. Addington, director of music and worship at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, will give an organ recital at the church Oct. 11 to open the Arts on Skidaway Concert Series. This free recital also marks Addington’s five-year anniversary of service at the church. He moved to Savannah in 2010 and played a small recital shortly after taking the position.
Anthem Commissioned for Addington's Fifth Anniversary
Skidaway Island United Methodist Church | February 22, 2015
Featured on today’s program is an anthem composed by our guest conductor Paul Leddington Wright who has chosen the hymn tune WONDROUS LOVE from one of the principal collections of shaped-note tunes in the American South. William Walker of Spartanburg, South Carolina, published this moving text and melody in the second edition of his renowned volume titled Southern Harmony in 1840. The tune also appeared in B. F. White’s collection The Sacred Harp just four years later. Countless believers since that time have found in this hymn an expression of wonder and awe as they contemplate its text on the sacrifice of God’s only Son in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Vocal Arts Flourish on Skidaway
The Skinnie | January 1, 2015
As I enter the impressive Skidaway Island United Methodist Church (SIUMC), I am warmly greeted by the church’s friendly and engaging Director of Music and Worship, Justin Addington. In the four and a half years since his arrival at SIUMC, Justin’s energy and expertise have greatly enhanced the musical experiences for all who join the congregation or who attend the range of concerts and recitals offered by the church. His commitment to presenting quality music is obvious and, in addition to serving as the church’s organist and overseeing the installation of an impressive new organ and renovation of the chancel area in 2012, he finds time to conduct SIUMC’s 50-voice chancel choir, two adult handbell groups, and one of the church's three children's choirs. Phew!
Organ Piece Dedicated to Justin Addington
Worship Hymns for Organ | November 6, 2014
"Those who seek Me early shall find Me" (Proverbs 8:17). How poignantly this truth is brought to our attention as we sing the beautiful hymn text, "When Morning Gilds the Skies", written by Edward Caswall in 1854. The son of a vicar in the Church of England, Caswall made two translations of this enduring hymn from the original German version into English in the mid-1800s. This hymn is reported to be among the favorites sung in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England.
Savannah Resident Is Winner of Young
Alumnus of the Year Award
The Gaffney Ledger | May 16, 2012
Savannah resident Justin Lowery Addington was presented with Limestone College's Young Alumnus of the Year Award during Limestone's alumni weekend April 19-22, 2012. The award is presented annually to a recipient selected by the college's Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Combined Choir Performs 'Across the Pond'
The Gaffney Ledger | July 13, 2009
Business trips usually involve all work and no play. But who can turn down the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom? Evan Goetz and members of two upstate church choirs certainly were not turned off by the prospect of flying over the Atlantic Ocean, instead thinking of their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of setting foot in England.
United Methodist Concert Honors
Charles Wesley
Spartanburg Heral-Journal | June 24, 2008
On the evening of Sunday, June 8th, Twichell Auditorium rang with the sounds of hymns by Charles Wesley whose picture hung from the huge pipe organ at the back of the stage. Participating in the concert were 170 singers and a 30 piece orchestra from 18 United Methodist Churches in the Spartanburg District.
Singing Wesley’s Praises
Spartanburg Heral-Journal | June 7, 2008
Methodists and Christians of different denominations have used hymns penned by Charles Wesley to praise God for more than two centuries. Local Methodists will celebrate the words and man who wrote more than 7,000 hymns at “Testament of Praise,” a concert scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Sunday in Converse College’s Twichell Auditorium. The concert features a mass choir and orchestra made up of 200 people from United Methodist churches in the Spartanburg District.
Broadway Prayers Draws from Secular Sources
Spartanburg Heral-Journal | August 10, 2007
Justin Addington, Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, says the pages of his hymnal aren't his only source of musical ideas. Broadway tunes can also inspire, he says. "Broadway Prayers," a review featuring music from shows such as "Annie," "Big River," and "Fidler on the Roof," will be performed in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in Converse Heights.
Service at Buford Street UMC Traces
History of Lenten Season
The Gaffney Ledger | February 23, 2007
The Chancel Choir of Buford Street United Methodist Church will present "Lent: A Pilgrimage to God" on Sunday, February 25th at 11:00 am. The service, written by Tedi H. Gibbons and narrated by Dr. William H. Baker, presents the history of the Lenten season and delves to the deeper meaning of the observance for Christian people everywhere.
Buford Street Choir Will Sing Easter Portion
of Handel’s ‘Messiah’
The Gaffney Ledger | April 7, 2006
The Buford Street United Methodist Church choir will sing the Easter portion of Handel’s Messiah on Palm Sunday, April 9, at 11 a.m. Messiah covers the entire life of Jesus, with selections of the choral work divided into Christmas, Easter and the Eternal Reign. It was composed by German composer G.F. Handel (1685-1757).
Buford Street UMC Names Music Director
The Gaffney Ledger | August 19, 2004
Justin L. Addington has of Cowpens been named the new Director of Music and Organist at Buford Street United Methodist Church. He served in the same capacity for two years for Ben Avon UMC. Before Ben Avon, he served Liberty UMC and St. Andrews UMC and substituted for other congregations.
An Ear for Music
Spartanburg Heral-Journal | September 28, 2002
Justin Addington was 6 when he first dreamed of playing the organ. Every Sunday at Cannons United Methodist Church, he’d wait until services were over to visit with organist Margaret Wyatt, knowing she’d help him play a hymn.
On Stage with Justin Addington
The Cowpens-Pacolet Tribune | February 9, 2000
Justin Addington is not your typical teenager. He recently performed in the play "On Golden Pond" with Theatre Converse. Addington has been performing in musicals and dramas since he was eight. During his years of performing he has been in 10 to 15 theatrical productions.
News Interviews
Historic Savannah Church Reeling from
Significant Flooding Over the Weekend
WTOC News | May 28, 2025
Savannah Voice Festival Celebrates
12th Season
WTOC News | August 1, 2024
Savannah Church Hosts Good Friday
Music Event to Unite Community
Fox28 Savannah | March 29, 2024
School and Church Choir Team Up
to Sing in Carnegie Hall
WTOC Morning Break | March 25, 2024