A Musical Legacy: The First Baptist Church Sandra M. Carter School of the Arts
Written by MELISSA JACKSON
In 1998, 152 years after seven pioneering men and women established First Baptist Church of Newnan, associate music minister Sandra M. Carter founded the church's School of the Arts. Her vision was simple yet profound: to provide quality music education while ministering to children and adults throughout the community.
Today, the school proudly bears Carter's name and continues her legacy of musical excellence and spiritual growth. Under the direction of Andrea Chitwood, an accomplished teacher and vocalist who also serves as a music specialist at Canongate Elementary, the school nurtures dozens of students year-round in a variety of musical disciplines.
Those who know Chitwood often find her embracing the costume theme of the day, whether at the school or at Canongate Elementary. Her infectious enthusiasm transcends both roles, as she brings vibrancy and genuine love for children and learning to everything she does.
In Chitwood's world, music isn't just taught – it's celebrated, sharing the joy and passion that have defined the school since its founding.
The story of the school's current leadership begins in 2000, when Lee and Andrea Chitwood arrived in Newnan from Anderson, South Carolina. The couple, who met during their seminary studies, brought with them a shared passion for musical ministry. While Lee took on the role of Music Minister at First Baptist Church, Andrea's educational background and musical talents found purpose in the community as well. Together, they reinstituted the School of the Arts in 2002, building upon the foundation laid by Sandra M. Carter.
"Our purpose is to take the gifts God has given young musicians and grow them so they can plug in and serve their community," explains Andrea, whose philosophy extends beyond musical proficiency to encompass character development and spiritual growth.
To achieve that goal, the School of the Arts offers a range of instructional options, including piano, trumpet, saxophone, viola, voice, guitar, oboe, cello, conducting, bass guitar, violin, and group string classes.
The school maintains close relationships with local band directors, helping students maximize their potential and prepare for prestigious opportunities like All-State Auditions. They also work with high school vocalists preparing for school musical productions, providing specialized coaching that helps them achieve their goals.
Andrea recalls one success story involving a ninth-grade student who arrived with the ambitious goal of earning a lead role in her high school musical. The young lady was so invested in this dream that she wept after their first session. Four years later, Andrea sat in the audience, beaming with pride as her student performed the role of Madame Thénardier in the high school production of “Les Misérables.”
"I felt like a peacock sitting there," Andrea admits. "I was so proud to see her achieve her dream!"
"Building students' confidence is just as important as teaching them music. If you sing and your voice cracks, the world is not going to end,” she says with a smile.
Through these experiences, students learn to accommodate imperfection and embrace possibility. "We are really teaching them coping skills and how to be well-rounded people who can manage challenges," says Andrea.
This is one reason the school hosts biannual recitals, held during the Christmas season and spring. These performances provide students with valuable opportunities to develop confidence as performers in a supportive environment.
Following the Coweta County school calendar for vacations and holidays, the school accommodates families from diverse educational backgrounds, including homeschooled students.
This flexibility ensures that musical education remains accessible to all interested families in the community.
The school's influence extends throughout Coweta County, where appreciation for music and the arts thrives. "It's something we do well in Coweta County," Andrea notes. "It's really a win/win for the church and the community."
In an age dominated by digital distractions, the school provides a valuable alternative.
"Kids benefit because it helps their attention spans," she explains. "They are not on their phones or on a screen. They are having real conversations with you."
These interactions create genuine connections while teaching students to manage vulnerability as they grow as musicians.
Each summer, the School of the Arts expands its offerings to include popular camps like ukulele instruction and "Cake Camp," where students learn to decorate cakes with a professional baker. These summer programs, offered in part or full-day sessions, typically last one week with tuition around $275.
All SOTA teachers undergo annual background screening and are qualified to work with both children and adults. Weekly private lessons range from $15 to $25 per half-hour session, paid monthly, with an annual administrative fee of $25 per student (maximum $50 per family).
Through its comprehensive programs and dedicated leadership, the First Baptist Church Sandra M. Carter School of the Arts continues to fulfill its founding vision, enriching lives through music while ministering to the community it serves. NCM
Finding Voices, Changing Lives: Newnan Community Youth Choir
Written by MELISSA JACKSON
When Dr. Ronnie Oliver became the music minister at Newnan’s Central Baptist Church in 2023, he made a commitment to music fellowship for the community at large as well as to the church congregation.
The church was interested in offering choral experiences to members’ middle and high school students, but Oliver proposed expanding that mission to include 6th through 12th graders throughout Coweta County regardless of church affiliation.
Central Baptist leadership eagerly supported the idea, and the Newnan Community Youth Choir was born with the goal of bringing musical opportunity to any young person willing to show up for Sunday evening rehearsals.
Oliver, a lifelong music educator and performer who founded and continues to work with EnsembleNYC in Manhattan, has taught at Juilliard, Carnegie Hall, and the Manhattan School of Music.
He brings the same commitment to excellence and musicianship in his work at Central Baptist and with the Newnan Community Youth Choir.
The opportunity is free for participating students; however, there is a discretionary summer mission trip that families are asked to help fund. Central offers scholarships for interested students who need financial support to join the summer experience.
A church, Oliver explains, should be more than an address or a building; it should reach into the community through service and stewardship. That service, for Oliver, now engages two dozen young men and women who join him Sunday evenings from 5 to 6 p.m. to learn new music and prepare for two annual concerts and the summer mission opportunity.
While the choir features several youth members from Central Baptist, it also includes homeschooled students, singers from other local congregations, and aspiring musicians from secular homes.
“It’s a safe place for kids to learn music, discipline, and social skills,” Oliver maintains. “We sing sacred and secular music, but always with a focus on songs that are encouraging, inclusive of community, sincere, and compassionate.”
Oliver admits that he always looks for a contemporary hit to motivate and inspire his young singers. The energy and excitement is palpable when the choir approaches a familiar song like “You Will Be Found,” from “Dear Evan Hansen” or “For Good,” from the musical “Wicked.”
In both cases, the lyrics adhere to Oliver’s standard of elevating justice, compassion, and the virtue of genuine community.
“Everything we do as a choir – I want it to inspire and motivate the kids, to help them internalize the love and potential of community,” says Oliver. “I want them to become the friends who carry friends through the storm, the reason someone was found or changed for good.”
For those interested in joining the Newnan Community Youth Choir, rehearsals are held every Sunday from 5-6 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 14 West Broad St, Newnan. No audition is required – just a willingness to participate and learn.
For more information contact Dr. Ronnie Oliver at 770-683-0610.
