The First Fine Arts Series is a venture that is dedicated to the idea that art is a gift from God, and that it should be cultivated and celebrated among the people. Concerts throughout the Series will bring together the community and the church to enjoy the gift of music. The spirit of bringing people together is in keeping with our purpose. Enjoy the music, and feel free to stay a while.

Dallas Baptist University Chorale
February 8, 2017
7:30 pm • Sanctuary

The Dallas Baptist University Chorale is the department of music’s select vocal ensemble. Under the direction of Stephen Holcomb, the choir has performed at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., providing service music for the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy, and has participated in several Mid-America Concerts in Carnegie Hall, the most recent being in 2013 when the choir presented John Rutter’s Requiem under Holcomb’s baton. The chorale has also performed internationally in prestigious venues such as St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice; Notre Dame, Paris; St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh; St. Thomas Church, Leipzig; the Dom Cathedral, Salzburg; and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna.

In addition to singing for denominational and civic events, the choir has also performed for the patients at the children’s hospitals in Dallas and Ft. Worth. The choir appeared at the SWACDA Convention in 2006 and provided music for the funeral service of legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Holcomb has been on the DBU music faculty since 1988. – Southwestern Musician
 

 

US Air Force Woodwinds Group
February 12, 2017
3:00 pm • Sanctuary

Mission Winds, the Clarinet Quartet of the United States Air Force Band of the West, is stationed at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas. The ensemble is comprised of Eb, Bb, and Bass Clarinets and is dedicated to exposing their audiences to the total spectrum of today’s musical literature.

The members of Mission Winds are full-time professional military musicians who bring diverse backgrounds and cultures to the Air Force. They hold Music Education and Music Performance degrees from Augustana College, the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and the University of North Texas.

Their many years of professional experience include performances with symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, touring shows, and today’s popular artists. Currently the ensemble performs for civilian and military audiences throughout the southern region of the United States in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida as well as offering educational enrichment through clinics, master classes, and performances for elementary through college-aged students.