Festivals and Tours

Rossini Festival

RossiniSpring in Knoxville is highlighted by this country’s only Rossini Music Festival. The festivities, food, musical concerts, and the downtown street fair filled with tens of thousands of pedestrians create an atmosphere full of color and pageantry. Since its inception in 2002 the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian has received an invitation to sing as part of the annual Knoxville Opera Company’s Rossini Festival. Over the past ten years the church has opened its doors to both members of our congregation and numerous visitors who hear our musical proclamation.  For its 11th season, on April 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the Chancel Choir, soloists, and orchestra will present Handel’s Chandos Anthem No. 9, Praise the Lord with One Consent.  Past works presented for the festival are listed below:

  • 2011:  Requiem in d minor-Mozart  (Süssmayr)
  • 2010: Mass No. 9 in C (Paukenmesse)-Haydn
  • 2009: Messiah, Part III-Handel
  • 2008: Harmoniemesse-Haydn
  • Rossini Festival2007: Petite Messe Solennelle-Rossini (selected portions)
  • 2006: Requiem in d minor-Mozart (Süssmayr)
  • 2005: The Creation-Haydn (selected portions)
  • 2004: Mass in d minor (Lord Nelson Mass)-Haydn
  • 2003: Vesperae Solennes de Confessore-Mozart
  • 2002: Stabat Mater-Rossini (selected portions)

We invite you to join us!

Montreat Worship and Music Conference

Montreat LakeEach year a group of adults and youth attend the annual Summer Worship & Music Conference in Montreat, NC. With first-rate clinicians from across the country and world; engaging sermons; inspiring music; liturgical worship; the Routley hymn lectures and hymn festivals; and classes on the Bible, liturgical education, worship planning, and the arts, this conference is truly a transforming experience.

Montreat Girls We are truly a family together as we worship, pray, prepare food for one another, clean up after one another, and have lively nighttime conversations as we share the day’s experiences together. And add to this, all of these activities are in one of the most beautiful and peaceful settings you could experience. Montreat is one of the highlights of our church year.

You are invited to join the Montreat summer family for a most memorable event! For more information, contact Ashley Burell at ashley@fpcknox.org.

RSCM Summer Courses

Since 2007 our church has participated in one of the summer Choral Courses sponsored by RSCM America(Royal School of Church-Westminster Choir College).  Past directors of the courses have included:  James Litton, Director Emeritus of the American Boychoir School; Bruce Neswick, Canon Munsician of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York; Malcolm Archer, Choirmaster of Winchester Cathedral (UK); and Barry Rose, former director of St. Paul’s, London and the BBC Radio 3 choral programs.  Children, youth, and adults, ages 10 and up, are challenged with sacred music of the highest level.  The week-long course concludes with singing a musical service and an Evensong service at the end of the week.  If you are interested in participating in a course you may contact our Organist-Choirmaster, Ashley Burell.