arts & entertainment

The First Presbyterian Youth String Orchestra will present a Winter Concert on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 4:00pm in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach. Admission is free; donations will be accepted during the performance and also online via the church’s website. Masks and social distancing will be required, and the sanctuary seating is limited to the first 100 people.

After several wins in music competitions, a mission trip to South Africa, and a number of wonderful free concerts offered, it seems that word has gotten out about this little small-town Youth Orchestra at First Presbyterian. Earlier this year Dr. Jacob Craig, Director of Music and Arts at the church, was approached by a board member for the Aspen Music Festival who just so happens to be a part time resident of Vero Beach and attendee at First Presbyterian. She graciously invited the group to attend the prestigious festival and, without any hesitation from Dr. Craig, the invitation was happily accepted so the students could have this wonderful opportunity and educational experience.

The concert on December 13^th will serve as a fundraising event to help offset the costs of the trip from Vero Beach to Aspen, Colorado. Musical selections they have chosen for this performance are: Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, a Bach duet featuring violas, and quartet piece, and a selection presented by Vero Beach High School’s fiddle club. All funds raised from the concert will go directly toward their invitational trip to the Aspen Music Festival. Donations will be accepted via a bucket upon entering the sanctuary, or, concertgoers can choose to watch the performance via livestream on the church’s website, http://www.firstpresvero.org, and also donate via the “Giving” section on their website. Please write the notes section that the donation is for the String Orchestra.

The FPC Orchestra performs in services each Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, Vero Beach. During special performances, the String Orchestra is joined by professional wind and percussion musicians from around the Treasure Coast.

For more information, please contact Ginger Lagemann, Music and Arts Administrator, at (772) 562-9088 or ginger@firstpresvero.org.