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An audience of 155 enjoyed a varied musical program in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Aug.16, as music director, Urs V. Tolotti, opened the performance with a “Renaissance Rondel” played on the church’s multifaceted organ. Conductor Beverly Barnett followed by directing the choir in singing “In Praise of God.” For this sixth annual benefit for The Presbyterian Children’s Home at Black Mountain, 57 performers were present and helped raise more than $2,000.After a brief introduction from Dr. Robert Abel, pastor of First Presbyterian, local flutist, Sarah Harkins played a light and airy summer dance, “Danze Pastorale,” by Vivaldi, then joined Tolotti at the piano for a playful duet of Brahms’ “Ungarischer Tanz.” Then, bringing a more somber mood to the concert, First Presbyterian’s Dr. Tom Fisher’s classically trained bass voice poured out the grief of a father at his daughter’s death in a heart breaking solo of Verdi’s aria, “Il Lacerato Spirito.” Sarah Thomas, representative for the children’s home, was present to thank the audience and performers for their help in making the newly-opened Ray Campbell Independent Living facility a reality. The Presbyterian Children’s Home houses 36 children, ages five to 18. The new facility provides housing for children who have graduated from high school and who are enrolled in a higher education program.“This program gives children the ability to continue to live on campus and be a part of the home family while they are continuing to go to school. At this crucial time in their lives, when so many foster children give up, the independent living choice, with continued love and support from the Presbyterian home, will greatly increase their chances of success,” said Thomas. In the second half of the concert, The Carolines, a 20- member women’s choral group directed by Beverly Barnett, sang well harmonized renditions of the 1970’s Karen Carpenter’s song, “Top of The World,” and a 1929 Fats Waller favorite, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Local musician and keyboard player for the weekly 9 a.m. informal worship service for First Presbyterian Church, Lionel Caynon, brought a soft jazz flavor to the afternoon with his saxophone arrangement of “Change My Heart.” Men Macon Music, always a favorite with local concert goers, charmed the audience with an inspirational “Morning Has Broken,” and brought smiles and laughter with a toe-tapping tune, “Old Man Noah,” a humorous recounting of Noah’s trials and tribulations as the “grand ole-sailor” of the ark. The Macon County bell choir, The Heritage Ringers, expertly conducted by Tolotti, returned to this year’s benefit to amaze listeners with three intricate pieces composed for bells and chimes.The program closed with the full choir filling the sanctuary with voices singing the gospel composition, “Walk In The Light.” Following the concert, the audience adjourned to Tartan Hall for a light supper reception prepared by the members of First Presbyterian. |
