At First Presbyterian Church (FPC), we believe that the arts are a powerful means to glorify God, uplift the spirit, and bring our community closer together.
“Our primary goal of hosting a Performing Arts Series is to offer affordable access to high quality music,” according to Sam Carlton, Classic Worship Arts Director.
All of the events in the Series are open to the public and most are free of charge.
“We want to kindle the light that already exists within our walls, letting it shine outwardly to reach our community and the next generation of worshippers,” Carlton says.
The Series begins on Aug. 18 with a concert from Carlton and ends on May 11, 2025 with a performance by musicians from the Harrison School for the Arts.
The full schedule of Fine Arts Series events is as follows.
Sam Carlton, Baritone: Deep River
August 18 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
Deep River is an educational concert highlighting the history of the negro spiritual. From the Mississippi to the Jordan River, water symbolizes both the trials of life and the promise of deliverance. It reflects the struggle for liberation, the cleansing of burdens, and the journey of a new life through Christ.
Festival Singers of Florida
Sept. 7 | 7 pm | FPC Sanctuary
Providing community performances of the highest quality, the Festival Singers of Florida is dedicated to engaging and inspiring through impassioned singing while expanding the awareness and appreciation of the choral arts. Carlton is a member and accompanist for the group. Emily Hammell, Children’s Choir Coordinator, is also a Festival Singers member.
FPC Organ Rededication Festival
Oct. 10-13 | Various dates and times | FPC Sanctuary
FPC’s pipe organ is one of the largest in Lakeland with over 3500 pipes. Thirty years after it’s original installation in 1994, six new sounds are being added including horizontally mounted “En chamade” trumpets in the balcony. Austin organs, the original builder, is making these additions, the final stage of a project that started in 2021 with the replacement of the organ’s console.
Stetson University Concert Choir
Oct. 10 | 7 pm | FPC Sanctuary
The Concert Choir of Stetson University in DeLand travels the country each year making connections with musical communities, churches, Stetson alumni, and outstanding high school choral programs.
Jerrick Cavagnaro, Guest Organist
Oct. 11 | 7 pm | FPC Sanctuary
Cavagnaro is the Associate Director of Music at Trinity Church Boston and is a graduate of the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. In 2022, he received second prize in the National Competition in Organ Accompaniment sponsored by the Washington, DC chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was a semifinalist in the Boston Bach International Organ Competition.
Organ Rededication Day
Oct. 13 | multiple times
Organ Restoration Donor Luncheon | 12: 15 pm | By invitation only
Pipes Tour and Pre-Concert Lecture | 1:45 pm
Tom Ingui Concert | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
Ingui is the FPC organist and is the accompanist for the Lakeland Choral Society. He also serves as adjunct professor of piano and organ at Southeastern University (SEU) in Lakeland. He is also a collaborator with the Harrison School for the Arts’ Choral Department. He is a graduate of Stetson University and the Yale School of Music.
The program features a wide variety of music including Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, Holst’s Jupiter from the Planets, and Mendelssohn’s first organ sonata, a piece which was played at the original dedication recital in 1994.
Bach Festival
Nov. 10 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
The Polk County community choral group will perform music by Bach. Neil Sherouse, FPC member, and Ingui are on the Board of the Bach Festival.
Glory of Christmas
Dec. 2 | 7 pm | FPC Sanctuary
An annual community event, the Glory of Christmas concert features the FPC choirs as well as local musicians. It officially kicks off the holiday season for many.
SEU Big Band & Swing Dance Concert
Feb. 27 | 7 pm | FPC Loudon Hall
The Southeastern University Big Band and Swing ensembles will be performing. The group is directed by Jason Thomas Aylward, FPC member.
FSU University Singers
Mar. 9 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
Founded in 1948 by Dr. Wiley Housewright, the University Singers is the premier undergraduate touring choir at Florida State University. This auditioned choir consists of students who are majoring in music and other degree programs.
Tom Ingui, Organ
Mar. 30 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
A program featuring the best of the organ repitore from the French and German masters.
Worship Night
April 30 | 7 pm | FPC Loudon Hall
Led by Jennifer Voigt, FPC Modern Worship Arts Director, Worship Night features the Vine Band and Worship Studies majors from SEU. This is a praise event which invites the community to join in worship with our congregation.
Lakeland Choral Society
May 4 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary | Tickets $10
The Lakeland Choral Society is a large community auditioned chorus that rehearses weekly and performs at least three times each year. Members enjoy sharing their love of music with each other and the community.
Harrison School for the Arts
May 11 | 3 pm | FPC Sanctuary
The Chorus Department at the Harrison School for the Arts provides vocal music students the opportunity to develop their talent in a nurturing and supportive environment.
All performances are open to the public at no cost. Contact Sam Carlton with any questions.