The 11-month concert series at the 109’s Arborlawn United Methodist Church will be starting later than usual this year.
The series was originally scheduled to begin Sept. 25, but was canceled because of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra strike.
Karen Gusset, the worship arts administrator, said the concert series is intended to be a gift of live music and celebration for the community where musicians could perform and the community could listen to live music.
This year the concert series will begin on Sunday Oct. 9 with a piano recital by Vivian Siao, and a fifth Sunday event on July 30, 2017.
Michael Plantz, director of music, said some groups return to perform, while some musicians are invited to play. Occasionally, a musician or group wanting to perform will approach the church.
As was the case with Broadway performer Marcus Lovett, Plantz said.
“They came through First Command Financial, which is an organization that raises money for veterans and their families in Tarrant County,” Plantz said. “They came to us asking to use the space, because Marcus Lovett was going to donate his time for a benefit concert and they’ve since then asked the choir to join them.”
While most of the concerts are free to attend there are some ticketed events, like the Lovett concert.
“Most of what we do we try to offer either free or as low cost as we can as a gift to the community,” Plantz said.
Gusset said the church wants the concerts to be intergenerational and includes children opportunities called “Kinderconcerts.”
“The FWISD does four concerts over the course of two days and we have almost 4,000 children that come into the sanctuary,” Gosset said.
Buses will bring the children to the church where they hear Kids Who Care perform, Gosset said.
“It’s so exciting to see all the children come,” Gosset said.
All concerts, apart from Lenten and Advent concerts, are held in the sanctuary, which can hold up to 1,200 people, Gosset said.
Attendance to the concerts vary, but Plantz said when Martin High School Choir comes it will be full. He said the Salute to America concert is always packed and he also anticipates a large audience for the Lovett concert this season.
More information, including ticket information where appropriate, can be found here.