Memorable Performances
of the FPC Fine Arts Ministries
The FPC Fine Arts Ministries has hosted some memorable events. Please join us in remembering these remarkable performers and performances
ALL WE NEED IS LOVE
September 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
September 25, 2011 at 2:00 p.m
The Fine Arts Ministry presents a production of HIS Company, "All We Need is Love," a living art show.
Read the article in the LEDGER by Matt Reinstetle:
"Art Comes to Life in Stage Show"
Click here to read "HIS Company Brings Art to Life At FPC"
9/11 MEMORIAL CONCERT
September 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
The Fauré "Requiem" and Copland's "Quiet City" are musical tributes to the tragic events that occurred ten years ago on 9/11. Lakeland's Chandler King returns from the American Boychoir in Princeton, NJ to sing Fauré's beloved "Pie Jesu."
Click here to read "First Presbyterian Church Remembers 9/11"
Are We There Yet?
July 2011
The Exodus story, “Are We There Yet?” captures the humor and humanity of Moses, Miriam, Aaron, Joshua, and the Pharaoh. Our children communicate the eternal truths within this story. Entertainment and meaningful content are thoughtfully balanced.
The Glory of Christmas '10
Dec 13, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Join the choirs of First Presbyterian Church as they usher in the Christmas season with a beautiful concert of traditional Christmas music. The Clarion Brass, Dolly Roberts (harp), Lisa Jaklitsch (flute), Mary Grace Gordon (soprano), and organist, David Campbell are led by Dr. Daniel Gordon (Director of Fine Arts Ministries) in presenting FPC’s newest yuletide tradition.
IT'S COOL IN THE FURNACE:
A Musical about Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Jul 24, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
Summer Fine Arts Camp presents the Buryl Red favorite, "It's Cool in the Furnace.
BEBO NORMAN TO PERFORM
Mar 6, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
“Bebo Norman has built a reputation as one of the Christian community’s most insightful singer/songwriters, one likely to increase with this self-titled effort. This collection marks Norman’s debut for Seattle-based BEC Recordings, and it feels like the beginning of a vibrant new chapter in an already distinguished career.” – Billboard. More>
THE AMERICAN BOYCHOIR
Feb 1, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
The American Boychoir, under the musical leadership of Litton-Lodal Music Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, will present a concert on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for students/seniors and $10 for adults and will be available at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the First Presbyterian Office at (863) 686-7187. More>
The Glory of Christmas '09
Dec 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Come join us for an evening of Christmas music featuring the ensembles of FPC with the Clarion Brass and guest artist, Carlos Santiago.
Bells will ring. Voices will sing. Brass will resound. Come to First Presbyterian Church's "The Glory of Christmas" concert, under the baton of Dr. Daniel A. Gordon, director of Fine Arts Ministries, on Monday, Dec. 14, in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. The performance is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. The Clarion Brass will be featured at the Christmas concert, along with guitarist and tenor, Carlos Santiago, as special guest artist. First Presbyterian ensembles will include the Chancel Choir, Jubilation, Chapel Ensemble, Festival Ringers, LightShine and Alpha Choir. More>
Cornerstone Dance Company Workshop
Oct 31, 2009 @ 9:30 am
This Christian Dance company will provide a free workshop with lunch provided. Participants will be asked to perform in both 10:30 worship services on Nov. 1. All are welcome to participate. More >
FESTIVAL SINGERS OF FLORIDA
Oct 10, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
The Festival Singers of Florida, under the direction Kevin Fenton, professor of music at Florida State University, will present a concert on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for students/seniors and $10 for adults and will be available at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the First Presbyterian Office at (863) 686-7187. More . . .
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH'S "OUR TOWN"
Sep 24, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
"Our Town" plays Thursday, Sept. 24, Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL.
Tickets are $10 for students/seniors and $15 for adults. TFor more information or to reserve tickets, please call the First Presbyterian Office at (863) 686-7187 or email
A Table for 5,000!
July 2009
The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes is a children’s musical about Jesus feeding the five thousand – the only miracle apart from the resurrection that is reported in all four gospels. In this musical version of the story, details from all four accounts are used, but the focus is particularly on the narrative as it appears in John – where one young boy with five loaves and two fish is the catalyst for everything that follows. Although we don’t really know anything about the boy other than his apparent willingness to share, we do know the results of his action: an event so startling, members of the crowd wanted to proclaim Jesus as king. And later, the event leads to an even greater revelation as Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the Bread of Life. Those who come to me will never go hungry.”
Schubert Mass in G
Feb 22, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church presents Schubert's "Mass in G" on February 22, 2009 at 3:30 pm, in the Sanctuary.
FPC Chancel Choir performs the most beloved works in the classical repertoire, in a concert that will also include Schubert’s famous, Shepherd on the Rock, and his Tov lehodos (Come, give thanks), written to dedicate the synagogue in Vienna. Music for string orchestra and piano selections add variety to this concert of music by one of the world’s great melody writers.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Dec 13, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors," on December 13 & 14, at 7:30 pm.
FPC launches a fully staged production of this heart warming and dramatic Christmas opera. First commissioned by NBC television, Amahl has blessed audiences since 1955. Great singing, great dancing and a cast that includes Mary Grace Gordon as the mother, Harry Pettit as King Kasper, Harrison School of the Performing Arts faculty, Chad Brady, as King Balthazar, and Rachel Castor as the crippled boy, Amahl. This production will also feature the FPC Sinfonetta providing the full orchestral accompaniment and David Campbell at the piano.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Sep 26, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church presents "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" on September 26 & 27, and October 3 & 4, 2008. All shows at 7:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
HIS Company, the Drama Ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, will offer to the community its production of All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. This very funny and touching true-to-life comedy/drama is based on the writings of Robert Fulghum and was adapted for the stage by Ernest Zulia and David Caldwell. Cast members include Tracie Carley, Penny Parker, Ann Stockton; J. Lenora Bresler, John Durbin, Bob Macey, and Daryl Ward. With such an immensely talented group of actors as this, the show is sure to provide an entertaining evening spent in much laughter and reflection.
A Technicolor Promise
July 2008
Infectious, lively, and fun, this musical is about the flood, Noah, and his family. Everyone loves a rainbow! It is a wonder of creation, radiating beauty after a rain. More important, as the sign of the covenant, it reminds us of God's overwhelming love & grace. Through appealing music and drama, “A Technicolor Promise” tells of the events surrounding God's promise.
Bach to the Future
February 17, 2008
Join the Chancel Choir and an orchestra featuring some of the area’s best instrumentalists as they present an evening that includes the Bach cantata, “Jesu, der du Meine Seele” featuring soloists Mary Grace Gordon (soprano), Larry Gerber (tenor), and Todd Donovan (baritone). Miss Gordon also performs the “Laudate Dominum” from Mozart’s Vespers of the Solemn Confessor. The concert concludes with “Incantation pour un Jour Saint”, by Jean Langlais, performed by organist David Campbell and Daniel Gordon’s arrangement of Bernstein’s “Take Care of this House”.
THE AMERICAN BOYCHOIR
CELEBRATES 70 YEARS!
Jan 31, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
For 70 years, The American Boychoir has been enriching the cultural life of the Nation by bringing its unique and joyful sound to people around the world. Experience the incomparable and electrifying voices of The American Boychoir under the musical leadership of Litton-Lodal Music Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz at the First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. With a program as diverse and dynamic as the boys themselves, audiences are sure to be mesmerized by a memorable performance. More . . .
Life of the Party
July 2007
A creative and refreshing retelling of the Mary & Martha story, “Life of the Party” is the centerpiece of the 2007 Fine Arts Camp. Family conflict, making time for Jesus in the midst of hectic lives, and trusting God when things get tough are the themes that are addressed with both lighthearted humor and poignant drama.
University Singers of The Florida State University
Mar 4, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
The University Singers, founded in 1948 by Dr. Wiley Housewright, is the premier undergraduate auditioned choir at Florida State University. The choir is composed of undergraduate students including those majoring in music and the other degree programs offered by the many academic units making up The Florida State University. More . .
Piano Recital featuring Dr. Howard Kim
Jan 14, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church presents a special recital to benefit the FPC piano fund, featuring Dr. Howard Kim, assistant professor at Southeastern University.
A native of Los Angeles, California, Howard Kim has been performing publicly since the age of eight. His teachers include Dorothy Hwang, Antoinette Perry, Aube Tzerko, and Rebecca Penneys. While completing the doctoral program at the Eastman School of Music, he was awarded the Performer's Certificate. More . . .
Light of the World
December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve services will include a musical performed by our children's choir. "Light of the World" by Mark Patterson is a well-crafted musical, which combines original songs, and familiar carols from around the world to tell the Christmas story. Through narration, drama and song, choristers share how Jesus came to be the "Light of the World” over 2,000 years ago.
The narration begins with the story of creation, turns to the prophetic words of Isaiah, and then recounts the events of Jesus’ birth. Three of the carols give the option of singing the original language texts (French, German, Spanish). Descants and accessible second parts enrich the experience and help develop part-singing skills. Throughout the musical, a single burning candle symbolizes the light of Christ. This light is shared with the congregation at the close of the musical with an invitation to "Take the Light" out into the world
Mozart & Haydn: a Classical Concert
Nov 5, 2006 @ 4:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church presents a Classical Concert on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary.
The FPC choirs will perform with organist, David Campbell, in Haydn's "Little Organ Mass." A string orchestra will accompany Mr. Campbell while the FPC organ is featured in Mozart's "Church Sonata for Organ."
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) received intensive musical training as a chorister at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. He was dismissed from the choir when his voice changed, and supported himself precariously with odd jobs and teaching. He furthered his musical training by a rigorous program of self-instruction, gradually making himself known to influential persons in Vienna. More . . .
Belle Chantique Concert
Nov 2, 2006 @ 7:00 pm
Belle Chantique of Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, FL, will be performing Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," conducted by Mr. Tucker Biddlecombe. The concert will feature the Festival Ringers of FPC.
This advanced women's ensemble is by audition only, and performs numerous concerts throughout the school year. Students learn advanced vocal techniques, advanced repertoire, and strive for excellence in performance. This ensemble often performs outside of school for workshops, clinics, and concerts. Belle Chantique has been invited to perform at the 2006 Florida ACDA convention at Rollins College in Orlando. More . . .
American Boychoir
Feb 7, 2006 @ 9:00 pm
The American Boychoir’s rich sonorities, musical sophistication, expressive power and innovative programming have established its reputation as the United States ’ premier concert boys’ choir and one of the finest boychoirs in the world. Its members – boys in grades 5 through 8 – come from around the country to pursue a rigorous academic and musical curriculum at The American Boychoir School, the only non-sectarian residential boys’ choir school in the country.
The student body reflects the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the United States , and graduates are eagerly sought by the finest boarding schools or are frequently placed in advanced courses in hometown public schools. The School offers rolling admissions throughout the year and holds auditions for interested boys after each concert.
Founded in Columbus , Ohio in 1937, The American Boychoir has been located in Princeton , New Jersey since 1950.
First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. (863) 686-7187.