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Published: Tuesday, Mar. 05, 2013 / Updated: Wednesday, Mar. 06, 2013 04:18 PM

Classical concert in Fort Mill is fundraiser for Faith Presbyterian Church

INDIAN LAND -- 

At 2 p.m. this Sunday, Faith Presbyterian Church of Indian Land will host its third annual classical music concert to help raise money for the church’s building fund.

The concert, which will be held at Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill, will feature piano, trumpet, and vocal performances.

Faith Presbyterian began meeting with its pastor, Rev. David Bender, in October 2007. The church bought property on Hwy. 521 in Indian Land, but the historic church building on the site is not large enough for the congregation.

“Although some preliminary plans have been drawn up for a building, there is not a scheduled time frame for the project yet,” said Carol Edmonds, a member of the Faith Presbyterian congregation and performer at the event. “We hope to firm up plans and truly start the process within the next year or so.”

The concert is the only current fundraiser for the church building fund, and members of the church donate as they can. Faith Presbyterian meets at the Indian Land Recreation Center on Hwy. 521.

“Our worship is at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings [in the Recreation Center]. Our offices are housed in the original church building on our property. We also hold other events throughout the year at that property,” Edmonds said.

Musicians at the event include Edmonds, who teaches piano at Queens University of Charlotte and leads worship for the church, and her husband, Ken Edmonds, who has played with the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, Charlotte Concert Band and Charlotte Jazz Band.

“Besides my husband and I, the performers on the concert are friends and colleagues with whom we have played and taught with over the years. We like to draw from our friends in the music world- those whose performing we love, and who we love to perform with,” Carol Edmonds said.

These performers include Julie Dean, a member of the Opera Carolina chorus who teaches voice at the Community School of the Arts in Charlotte, and Gregg Peale who plays with the Queen City Brass Band.

“As far as audience, we are trying to target anyone who loves music and would enjoy an afternoon of music making,” Edmonds said.

“Our works this year include classical works by J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Samuel Barber and Frances Poulenc, as well as show tunes, a setting of Afro-American spirituals and even a Cole Porter piece. Our hope is to provide an enjoyable live music event for our community and to help support our church and its future plans for growth. This is a talent we can offer in support of our family of faith, and also share with the greater community.”

Faith Presbyterian would also like to express its gratitude to Unity Presbyterian for opening their doors for the event the past three years.

“Their generosity is astounding and we are so thankful to them,” Edmonds said.

Faith Presbyterian members welcome everyone to the free event at 2 p.m. Goodwill offerings will be accepted.