Concert Series 2009-2010

First Baptist Church of Knoxville

“Great Music, Great Artists”

Sunday, August 23

FBC Sanctuary Choir and the choirs of Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir

Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit!  Our own Sanctuary Choir will combine with the choir from Mt. Zion Baptist Church to sing an evening of southern gospel and African-American spirituals.  We will be celebrating together 400 years of Baptist History in North America.  We will hear the spirited music and then enjoy a fellowship between our congregations on the front lawn of the church. There will be no charge for this concert.

Sunday, September 13

Bruce and Lisa, flute and violin

Bruce is a Grammy-nominated violinist and composer who has performed with Michael W. Smith, Josh Groban, Martina McBride, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Alan Jackson and Michael Jackson. Former first violinist with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, he now tours regularly with Christian artist, Twila Paris. Bruce’s solo violin can also be heard on VeggieTales videos, including, “Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler.”

Lisa made her New York debut at the age of 20, toured as concert soloist and premiered over fifty works for flute. She is a Yamaha clinician and performing artist and the former professor of flute for Florida International University. Her amazing experience as the survivor of multiple brain tumor surgeries over the past ten years has given birth to a strong, new side to their ministry. Lisa has become a sought-after women’s ministry speaker bearing witness to the power of prayer and God’s healing.

BRUCE & LISA have recorded several Praise & Worship CDs, including their latest release, “Lord of the Hymn.” Released on the Cool Springs Records label, and distributed by Word Music, “Lord of the Hymn” is a collection of well-known hymns arranged by Bruce Wethey and Don Marsh in an exciting new Celtic style.

Sunday, October 11

Kely Hatley and Bill Shiell

Kely Hatley and Bill Shiell will be combining their talents to sing solos, duets, inspirational stories and dramas for an evening of praise to God and thanksgiving for the good news of the gospel. Join us for an inspiring concert of worship together.

Sunday, November 22

Dr. Charles C. Callahan in the Dedication Concert for our newly renovated organ

Charles Callahan is one of America‘s leading organist-composers. A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Catholic University of America. Well-known as an improvisateur, he made his debut in this realm at the International Eucharistic Congress in 1976. He has collaborated with many of this country’s leading conductors as both composer and organist and has worked with noted stage and screen personalities in both theatre and the concert hall.

Orchestras, choirs, chamber music ensembles and soloists all over the world have performed compositions by Dr. Callahan. He has been commissioned to compose music twice by Harvard University. In recognition of his service to the church and his commissioned compositions for Papal visits to the United States, he was awarded in 1999 the Papal Honor of Knighthood in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

In addition to compositions and performances, Charles Callahan is a noted educator and author; his two books on American organ building have become standard reference works. He is frequently in demand as a consultant for organ projects and his work in this area includes significant instruments for the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, St. Agnes Cathedral, Long Island, NY, All Saints Church in Buffalo, NY, First United Methodist Church in Beaumont, TX, and his alma mater, Curtis Institute.

Sunday, December 6

FBC Sanctuary Choir and Instrumentalists

Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns—The Sanctuary Choir will be joined by area soloists and area instrumentalists for a glorious evening of singing this beautiful oratorio combining solo and soli work with lovely choruses. The choir will also be singing several other inspirational Christmas selections. This concert will be free to all attending, however, tickets are required.

Sunday, February 21

A Festival of Praise!

Join the choirs of First Baptist Church Knoxville; Central Baptist Church, Bearden; Broadway Baptist Church; Central Baptist Church, Fountain City; Monte Vista Baptist Church, Maryville; First Baptist Church Oak Ridge; and Brentwood United Methodist Church as we form a 300-voice choir to fill the Sanctuary with the music of hymns selected from the new Celebrating Grace Hymnal, produced in cooperation by Mercer University. Dr. Gregory Bunn will be our guest organist and Mary McDonald will be our guest pianist for the evening.

We will be premiering many new hymns and arrangements of old favorites from the new hymnal as we celebrate our final dedication event of the newly renovated Schantz organ by RA Colby and Associates.

Sunday, March 7

Sacred Choral Concert by the Furman Singers, Dr. Bing Vick, conducting

Join the Furman Singers for a magnificent hour and a half concert of sacred choral works as well as lighter fare to close out the evening. This tour will be the final tour for Dr. Bing Vick as conductor of the Furman Singers after a successful 40 year career as their leader.  A love-offering will be taken during the concert.