Making a Joyful Noise with Michael Carter

Ella Fitzgerald once said, “The only thing better than singing is more singing.”

There’s nothing Michael Carter loves more than sharing the joy he finds in music with others. As First Baptist Church of Vero Beach’s main music man, he oversees a variety of programs that enhance worship. As founder and director of the Treasure Coast Chorale, he and singers from around the area present concerts that put smiles on faces, springs in steps, and happiness in hearts.

This past May, the chorale presented “My Favorite Things—A Birthday Concert,” which celebrated Carter’s 70th birthday and saluted everyone in the audience.

The front of the sanctuary was decorated with photos of Carter through the years, along with balloons, streamers, and a cake that looked too good to eat.

The program featured familiar tunes such as “The Impossible Dream,” “With a Voice of Singing,” and “Fly Away”; it ended with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.” Carter’s wife, Patti; daughter, Meghan; and son, Nicholas, had cameo roles. Accompaniment was provided by Judy Carter on piano, Dave Mundy on guitar, Richie Mola on drums, Emilio Rutllant on flute, Joey Rumberger on organ, and chorale intern Patrick Gordon on guitar and banjo. The packed house provided plenty of enthusiasm.

“From the beginning, one of the things we wanted the chorale to do was involve the audience; we wanted participation as well as presentation,” says Carter, who graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he met Patti, and then obtained a doctorate at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. He served at churches in Mississippi and Missouri prior to joining the staff at First Baptist in 1996.

Florida wasn’t on his radar back then; in fact, the thought of working and living in the Sunshine State held minus-zero appeal. Thanks to his resume finding its way to the church search committee, followed by an in-person interview, Carter quickly changed his mind. 

“I was blown away. What amazed me was that for such a small town the arts were alive and well.

“At the time, Ray Adams, who is our church’s musician in residence, was the music director at Community Church and Choral Society founder-director. He hired me to be his assistant, and when the Choral Society wanted to do more serious music, Ray handed the pop side off to me,” Carter grins.

“I’m a theme person. I come up with one, grab hold, and develop it. One of our first concerts was around Valentine’s Day, so of course the songs were all about love. The theme for our upcoming season, which starts in November, is “Singing with the Greats”—Elvis, Sinatra, the Beatles, and Handel. We’ll be doing our 55th presentation of the Messiah December 21 and 22.”

Sally Westphalen, longtime chorale member and one of Carter’s biggest fans, wouldn’t miss a Monday night rehearsal. “Michael is a wonderful musician and teacher who has taught me so much. He makes our concerts a gift by including songs the community likes. We just love him!”

The feeling is mutual. “Music has always been a part of my life. I was raised in a church with a singing congregation. I’ve been told that when I was 3 or 4 years old I would get up and imitate the conductor,” says Carter, his arms mimicking the motions.

“I’m blessed to be doing what I love. I’m surrounded by wonderful, beautiful, talented people; I couldn’t ask for more.”