"When times get hard, we need a whole lot of what it is that reminds us of who we are."
- Wynton Marsalis
Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Both the arts and charitable giving are powerful reminders of who we are as children of God. Music for Mission is a unique series that offers concerts free of charge to the community given by outstanding musical artists while raising money and awareness for local and regional mission organizations.
Throughout the year, First Church will welcome world-renowned artists to offer a concert in the Church's sanctuary. The concert will be open to the public and free of charge. During intermission at each concert, the partnering mission organization will make a brief presentation to the audience about its work and will be available after the show to offer more information and answer any questions. During the evening, a "love offering" will be collected. Through the generosity of the concert series patrons, 100% of the offerings received at the concerts will be given to the partnering mission organization.
The 2010 season:
On September 26, Tim Brumfield, former organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, NY will present a concert featuring pieces from the classical organ repertory as well as his own improvisations, for which he has achieved particular fame in the organ world. The partnering mission organization will be AVOL: AIDS Volunteers, Inc., an organization committed to providing education, outreach and advocacy about HIV and AIDS in Eastern and Central Kentucky.
On November 28, the Lexington Philharmonic Brass and Percussion, with Scott Terrell, conductor and organist will present its holiday concert. Maestro Terrell and the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir will also lead the audience in the singing of seasonal favorites. And as this concert is being held on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the partnering mission organization will be God’s Pantry Food Bank whose mission is to reduce hunger in Kentucky.
The American Spiritual Ensemble will return for its second Music for Mission performance with a concert on Monday, February 21. Last year’s performance was given to a standing room only audience! The partnering mission organization will be Kentucky Refugee Ministries an organization dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community.
The series concludes on April 15 with Bluegrass Music legends Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers. The recipient of funds collected at this concert is the Burnamwood Camp and Conference Center. Through its Appalachian Ministry outreach, Camp Burnamwood seeks to serve the vibrant and culturally rich Appalachian areas surrounding Burnamwood Camp and Conference Center by responding to the needs of those on the very margins of our society through residential work projects.
Free tickets for each concert are available at the Downtown Arts Center Box Office (141 E. Main St., 859-225-0370) OR at First Presbyterian Church (171 Market St., 859-252-1919). Ticket holders enjoy pre-seating at all events. Those not holding tickets are seated 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each concert.
Music for Mission is an outreach of the Worship and Arts and Mission ministry teams
of the Session of First Presbyterian Church.
For a brochure of the 2010-11 season, click here.
For more information or to become a series patron, please contact:
Director of Music and Arts
First Presbyterian Church
171 Market Street
Lexington, Kentucky
859.252.1919 ext. 110
