Rossini Festival

Spring 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 seven years the church has opened its doors to both members of our congregation and numerous visitors who hear our musical proclamation. Slated for the 2009 festival is Handel’s Dixit Dominus (Psalm 110).  Past works presented by the choir for the festival have included:

• 2008: Harmoniemesse-Haydn
• 2007: 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

Each 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.

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.

Women’s Youth Ensemble Tours

The Women’s Youth Ensemble (grades 6-12) takes an annual trip each summer to share their music with others. Recent trips have been to Orlando where the young women lead worship services and have shared their songs with various churches and members of retirement home communities.