Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo” to Follow “Ringing His Praises” at First Presbyterian

Oct. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- First Presbyterian Church presents "Ringing His Praises: music for English handbells and faithful musicians" on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland.  This concert is FREE and open to the public.

Children and adults of all ages are welcome to enjoy this lighthearted, fun afternoon of music for handbells and an assortment of other instruments, conducted by Dr. Daniel A. Gordon, director of FPC’s Fine Arts Ministries.  Immediately following the concert the audience is invited to play the handbells under the supervision of our expert ringers as a part of the “Instrument Petting Zoo.”

FPC organist David Campbell will accompany Festival Ringers and perform a solo work entitled, Dreams by Hugh McAmis.  Also joining the concert will be Assistant Professor of Music at Southeastern University Ronald Gardiner.  Gardiner is the Principal Cellist for the Orlando Philharmonic.  He will perform the beloved cello solo, The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns, and join Festival Ringers in an arrangement of “A Mighty Fortress” for bell choir and cello.

Special guests of First Presbyterian Church, “Ebonies and Ivory” will perform several songs.  “We are completely student run,” states PSC Music Major Morgan Snipe, who leads the a cappella singing ensemble.  “We are a group that loves to make sure the audience is having just as much fun as we are.”  The singers include Morgan Snipe, Brandon Snipe, Austin Briggs, Kyree Waldon, and Jamal Broomfeild.

Members of the First Presbyterian “Festival Ringers” include Debbie Damkjer, Lee Etter, John Freed, Nancy Hogan, Sarah Hubbard, Lynne Hughes, Caroline King, Laura Lewis, Nicole Maassen, Barbara McCarthy, Roger Schwabe, John Snapp, John Martin Snapp, and Libby Wood.  

The beginning handbell choir is led by Jon Freed.  The “Joyful Ringers” are Dawn Blanchard, Elizabeth Blanchard, Sierra Garcia, Clayton Gilbert, Nicole Maassen, Brooke Smith, and Libby Wood.

The FPC "Ringing His Praises" takes place on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL.  This concert is FREE and open to the public.  All are welcomed to attend and join in this fun afternoon!  Visit http://www.fpclakeland.org/fine-arts/performing-arts-series/ for details about the FPC Fine Arts Series.  For more information, please call the First Presbyterian Church office at (863) 686-7187.

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The vision of First Presbyterian Church is to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ. First Presbyterian Church responds to God’s grace by praising him and offering Christ-centered worship, Bible-based teachings, and prayerful opportunities for mission and service to all.