Performing Arts & Outreach

First Baptist Church is proud of their long history of supporting the arts. We have many performances throughout the year including singing, dancing, musicals, theater, instrumental, movies, and more. There is something for every taste, from amateur to professional and traditional to contemporary. Our own theater group, the Happy Ending Lyric Players (H.E.L.P.) has been performing for over forty years. Many of our musical groups like the Handbell Choir welcome new members so be sure and contact them to get involved.

We also host many outside groups like the Baldwin Wallace Men’s Chorus and Apollo’s Fire in our facility. Our sanctuary is well known for it’s great acoustic qualities.

If it is visual arts you are looking for be sure to watch for special artists exhibits in our gallery or if you are looking for something a lot simpler we have our children’s center art show once a year.

Saturday, May 18th,  7:30 p.m. in  Spahr Center

“BROADWAY LIGHTS ” is an annual fundraiser for the FBC Music & Arts Program that proved to be a wonderful entertainment for all. Our own best singers and musicians prepared a number of songs from musical theaters and movies: The Wiz, A Star Is Born, The Music Man, Jekyll & Hyde, Company, Waitress, Porgy and Bess, and many more to list.
Tickets at the door: Adults $15, students $12, children under 10 free.
Refreshment and Mocktail Bar (Non-Alcoholic Cocktails) during the intermission.

Sunday, May 11th, 7:30 p.m.

The 2018-19 Singers Companye season has as its theme, Listen to you life! Frederick Buechner, American writer, novelist, poet, essayist, preacher and theologian challenges us to “see life for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

Join this exquisite choral ensemble that Cleveland Classical describes as “a well-trained ensemble that produces vibrant, well-blended choral sound crowned with powerful climaxes…in full control of their challenging repertoire.” With this program, the ensemble explores themes of life and love and how we must listen to our lives in order to experience the immense joy every aspect of living brings to us. Works by Baroque geniuses, Handel and Baldassare Galuppi open the program. Then the choir will take a leap to perform works by Pawel Lukaszewski, Abbie Betinis, Daniel Elder, Steven Sametz and the brilliant young choral rock star, Jake Runestad. A new Runestad work, Ave Verum: Mozart Closes His Eyes and Begins Hearing Ave Verum will be featured along with his stunning The Peace of Wild Things.

Sunday, April 21st,  11:00 a.m.

We will be celebrating our Risen Lord with choir, organ, and trumpets.

Thursday, April 18th,  6:30 p.m.

Members of our Chancel Choir will guide us through the story of Holy Week at this interactive Maundy Thursday Communion Service. We will share a simple meal as we celebrate the Last Supper.

Saturday, April 13th, 8:00 p.m.

Amanda Powell, soprano
Amanda Crider, mezzo-soprano
Jacob Perry, tenor
Jesse Blumberg, baritone
with Apollo’s Singers

Friday & Saturday, March 29th & 30th
Friday & Saturday, April 5th & 6th, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 31 & April 7th,  2:00 p.m.

Happy Ending Lyric Players presentation of Sweeney Todd.

Get more information and order tickets.

Sunday, March 10th, 3:00 p.m.

March Madness – Music of Britten and Rindfleisch

The Cleveland Chamber Choir is an ensemble of professional singers from Northeast Ohio under the artistic direction of choral conductor Scott MacPherson.  Committed to the Northeast Ohio region, the Cleveland Chamber Choir is dedicated to growing a diverse audience of choral music and presents concerts throughout Cleveland and its surrounding communities.

Friday, February 15th, 7:30 p.m.

7:30 PM Friday, February 15, 2019 in Spahr Center

Yes, all kinds of poetry will be read including the classics, original compositions, comedy, and more alter-nating with great jazz by The Demetrius Steinmetz Jazz Ensemble led by our own Demetrius of our Contemporary Worship Praise Band. The Jazz Ensemble will play mu-sic based on each poem’s content.

Goodies by Faith!

The concert is free and open to the public. Tell your friends! Bring your family! Make Friday, February 15 your special night out a great evening of poetry and music!

Sunday, January 27th, 3:00 p.m.

Brass Band of the Western Reserve Concert

> More Information

Rescheduled for Next Season

Matt Rizer, Tenor will hold a concert to benefit the First Baptist Church Music and Fine Arts Program.

May 19, 7:30 p.m.

Cleveland Chamber Choir and BlueWater Chamber Orchestra perform Vocal Verve.

Scott MacPherson and the Cleveland Chamber Choir combine forces with BlueWater in its first program of major choral works. The festive Ascension Oratorio contrasts with Corigliano’s introspective cantata, set to a poem by Dylan Thomas. Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances for orchestra unites the two vocal masterpieces.

Cleveland Chamber Choir
Scott MacPherson, Conductor

PROGRAM
Bach: Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen (Ascension Oratorio) BWV 11
Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1
Corigliano: Fern Hill

Advanced Ticket Sales – May 19, 2018

Friday & Saturday, April 13th & 14th, 20th & 21st, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 15th & 22nd, 7:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18th, 7:00 p.m.

Happy Ending Lyric Players presents Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a musical based on the 1996 Disney film of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the 1831 Victor Hugo novel of the same name. It has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by James Lapine, later adapted by Peter Parnell. The musical premiered in 1999 in Berlin, Germany as Der Glöckner von Notre Dame (literally translated in English, The Bellringer of Notre Dame). It was produced by Walt Disney Theatrical, the company’s first musical to premiere outside the U.S. It ran for three years, becoming one of Berlin’s longest-running musicals. It is a lot closer to the original source material than the film.

Sunday, April 1st 2018,  11:00 a.m.

We will be singing Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia“.

Thursday, March 29th 2018,  7:30 p.m.

Selections from Bach’s St. John Passion

Members of our Contemporary Worship and Praise Team will guide us through the story of Holy Week at this Maundy Thursday Communion Service.

Sunday, February 25th, 4:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to come back at 4 pm when Baldwin-Wallace Men’s Chorus under the direction of Frank Bianch will return to FBC for a wonderful concert. The FBC Chancel Choir will join them for a couple of songs and will sing several songs including “O Be Joyful” and “Set Me as a Seal” by Clausen and “Ride On, King Jesus” by Moses Hogan. You won’t want to miss any of this beautiful and inspirational music!

Sunday, February 25th, 11:00 a.m.

“Lord, I Want to be a Christian” is the anthem for this Sunday, and Charmie Scott will sing a selection of her choosing for the Offertory.

Sunday, February 18th, 11:00 a.m.

You will love Marta Keen’s beautiful composition “Homeward Bound” a beautiful song not exactly a spiritual, but expressing warm thoughts about what’s important in life. For the offering Betty is planning to team up with Max Bunker for a two-piano Offertory.

Sunday, February 11th, 11:00 a.m.

The Negro spiritual “Set Down Servant” arranged by Robert Shaw will be sung by the Chancel Choir, and our talented Michael Ward will sing a similarly inspirational song for the Offertory.

When Bob Schneider developed a plan for 2018 last summer before his accident in August he included Chancel Choir music for February 2018 that would compliment the recognition of Black History Month. And since the First Baptist of Greater Cleveland is a wonderful church that wholeheartedly embraces diversity, Betty Meyers, the Chancel Choir and soloists will execute many of the elements of Bob’s plan this month.

Sunday, February 4th, 11:00 a.m.

The anthem will be the beautiful “O Spirit All-Embracing,” by Gustav Holst. The Chancel Choir will sing this anthem that is based on the stately theme from the middle section of the Jupiter movement of his famous orchestral suite The Planets.  In addition, Dan May will use his magnificent voice to sing “Go Down, Moses,” that wonderful Negro spiritual.

Sunday, January 7th, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, January 8th, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 10th, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Happy Ending Lyric Players will be holding auditions for their production of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, a musical based on Disney’s film of the same name.

Saturday, December 24th at 11:00 p.m.

Usher in Christmas in the traditional late evening Christmas Eve Candlelight and Carol service.  The Chancel Choir, Soloists and Handbell Choir offer beautiful music of the season and the service culminates with the singing of “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night”.

Saturday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m.

One of First Baptist Church’s most beloved annual traditions, our living nativity brings to life the Christmas story into our sanctuary with a large host of live animals, choirs, soloists, musicians and the newborn baby Jesus.  The church fills up as we celebrate with traditional hymns and new selections of music, as we participate together in the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Sunday, December 17th at 4:00 p.m.; prelude music begins at 3:40 p.m.

In the Tradition of Kings College Chapel

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.

The first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, was held on Christmas Eve in 1918. It was introduced by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, whose experience as an army chaplain had led him to believe that more imaginative worship was needed by the Church of England. The order of service was adapted from the order created by Benson for Truro Cathedral 38 years earlier, which was based on an idea of George Walpole, at the time Succentor of Truro Cathedral, and the future Bishop of Edinburgh. The first service at King’s largely followed Benson’s original plan, including the Benedictions before each reading, several of which were later amalgamated by Milner-White into his Bidding Prayer.

The music at the first service at King’s was directed by Arthur Henry Mann, who was the organist from 1876 to 1929. The choir had 16 trebles as specified in statutes laid down by Henry VI, and until 1927 the men’s voices were provided by choral scholars and lay clerks. Today, 14 undergraduates from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, sing the men’s parts.

Sunday, December 10th, 11:00 a.m.

Christmas Season Music

– “Glory to God in the Highest” from G.F.Handel’s Messiah

– Selections from the Corelli’s Pastoral performed by the Amici String Quartet

Saturday, December 9th at 8:00 p.m.

In this new program created by Jeannette Sorrell, the beloved troupe from the Sugarloaf Mountain summer program joins a wider cast with chorus, children’s voices, and additional instruments to celebrate the Celtic roots of an Appalachian Christmas. From the mystical Gregorian chant of old Scotland to folk carols and shape-note hymns at a toe-tapping Christmas gathering in Appalachia… the people of the mountains welcome Christmas with LOVE, SINGING, DANCING, and PRAYER.

*SATURDAY (12/9) & SUNDAY (12/3 and 12/10) NIGHTS: Join in a carol or two with the cast while enjoying hot cider and old fashioned ginger cake. FREE!

Sunday, November 5th, 11:00 a.m.

Selections from Poulenc’s Gloria sung by the Chancel Choir

Saturday, October 13th at 8:00 p.m.

Handel’s Israel in Egypt – A Dramatic Oratorio

From plagues and pyramids to the crossing of the Red Sea… the gripping story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt comes to life with reverence and triumph through Handel’s sumptuous music.

Adaptation by Jeannette Sorrell, runs 2 hrs.

“Presented with a sense of theatre as Handel intended… scintillating and superb.”– ClevelandClassical.com

*FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS: Enjoy Middle Eastern baklava and sparkling cider as the musicians lead a Q&A. FREE!

October 8th at 3:30 p.m.

Heights Chamber Orchestra
Beethoven Piano Concerto #4

Hrant Bagrazyan, Pianist
Elgar – Enigma Variations Op. 36

September 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

A Journey from Addiction to Recovery Told Through Secular Music

Concert Tickets $20 Adults / $15 Seniors

$10 Students and Children 5-15 years old

> Get Tickets
> More Information About Rock of Faith

Sunday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. in the Traditional Service

All of the special music was written by Eileen Marie Moore, professor at Cleveland State University.

Friday, March 24th through Sunday, April 2nd

Performances of the Beauty and the Beast by the Happy Ending Lyric Players

The familiar story centers on a young, fiercely independent bookish beauty (Belle) who is relegated to living in a small provincial town with her father.  She has caught the eye of the man every young girl in town wants (Gaston), but has no interest and states so quite clearly- much preferring to read her books and be with her father.  After her father gets lost in the woods, he is taken prisoner by a hideous Prince-turned-Beast (as a result of a spell) living in a castle.  Belle, out of love for her father, takes his place and becomes the Beast’s prisoner at the enchanted castle- but not for long.  Despite their differences, they fall in love- although not without complications.  As a result of the mutual love between Belle and the Beast, the spell is broken and the Beast once again becomes a man.  His servants, who had become enchanted objects as a result of the spell, also return to human form.

Saturday, April 1st  All Day

American Guild of Organists

First Baptist will be host to the American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter young artists competition.

Sunday, April 2nd  3:30 p.m.

All-Beethoven Program

Thursday, April 13th,  7:30 p.m.

The Story of the Passion of Christ Told Through Modern Music and Word

Members of our Contemporary Worship and Praise Team will guide us through the story of Holy Week at this Maundy Thursday Communion Service.

Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.

Brahms Requiem

The student orchestra and college choir of the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music will present Brahm’s beloved Requiem in our First Baptist sanctuary.

September 24th at 7:00 p.m.

The Transformation of the Soul into Recovery

Concert Tickets $20 Adults / $15 Seniors

$10 Students and Children 5-15 years old

For tickets, contact Karen Gill at 216.496.5672 or kgill@firstbaptistcleveland.org

Saturday, October 8th at 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate this Festival (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary)
Funeral Music for Queen Mary
Highlights from King Arthur and Dido & Aeneas

The great Henry Purcell wrote his most majestic music for royal events at Westminster Abbey – from joyous birthday celebrations for the Queen to the heartbreakingly beautiful lamentations at her funeral. Vocal soloists, strings, lutes, recorders, trumpets, percussion, organ, and the acclaimed Apollo’s Singers join in this sumptuous program.

Post-Concert Party – Toast the opening of the season at a light dessert reception with the performers. FREE!

Sunday, November 20th at 1:30 p.m.

Robert Schneider – Betty Meyers

First Baptist’s staff musicians offer a program of music for two pianos, piano and organ, and two people (four hands, four feet!) on the organ, as well as music for solo piano and organ.

The program will include Mozart’s Sonata in D for Two Pianos KV 448, This Little Light of Mine arranged be Mark Hayes, The Grand Aria by Demarest and Tiempo di Ballo by Karg Elert for piano and organ and two person organ duet Fanfare and Tuckets by Myron Roberts.

Sunday, November 27th at 5:30 p.m.

This music concert is held in cities worldwide that celebrate those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium, though some participants bring rarer members of the family such as the helicon, ophicleide, serpent and double bell euphonium.

The first TubaChristmas was organized by Harvey G. Phillips to honor his tuba teacher William Bell, who was born on Christmas Day 1902, and was held December 22, 1974, in the ice skating rink at New York City’s Rockefeller Center; Paul Lavalle conducted. Over 300 musicians played that day, beginning a holiday tradition. This is the 3rd Tuba Christmas at First Baptist Church.

Friday, December 16th at 8:00 p.m.

Meredith Hall, soprano | Amanda Crider, mezzo-soprano | Karim Sulayman, tenor | Jeffrey Strauss, baritone

Jeannette Sorrell’s interpretation of Handel’s Messiah has inspired audiences across the country on many national radio broadcasts. Taking their cue from Handel’s original conception of the piece as theatrical entertainment, Sorrell and her actor-singers take the listeners on a spiritual and emotional journey. The program heads to New York City following local performances.

Tickets $10-$77

Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 p.m.; prelude music begins at 3:40 p.m.

In the Tradition of Kings College Chapel

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.

The first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, was held on Christmas Eve in 1918. It was introduced by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of the College, whose experience as an army chaplain had led him to believe that more imaginative worship was needed by the Church of England. The order of service was adapted from the order created by Benson for Truro Cathedral 38 years earlier, which was based on an idea of George Walpole, at the time Succentor of Truro Cathedral, and the future Bishop of Edinburgh. The first service at King’s largely followed Benson’s original plan, including the Benedictions before each reading, several of which were later amalgamated by Milner-White into his Bidding Prayer.

The music at the first service at King’s was directed by Arthur Henry Mann, who was the organist from 1876 to 1929. The choir had 16 trebles as specified in statutes laid down by Henry VI, and until 1927 the men’s voices were provided by choral scholars and lay clerks. Today, 14 undergraduates from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, sing the men’s parts.

Saturday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m.

One of First Baptist Church’s most beloved annual traditions, our living nativity brings to life the Christmas story into our sanctuary with a large host of live animals, choirs, soloists, musicians and the newborn baby Jesus.  The church fills up as we celebrate with traditional hymns and new selections of music, as we participate together in the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Saturday, December 24th at 11:00 p.m.

Usher in Christmas in the traditional late evening Christmas Eve Candlelight and Carol service.  The Chancel Choir, Soloists and Handbell Choir offer beautiful music of the season and the service culminates with the singing of “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night”.

Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 a.m.

With Christmas coming on Sunday this Advent Season, we will come together for a single, unified service beginning at 10:00  a.m.  Enjoy a Christmas message and music in this combined contemporary and traditional service.

Monday and Tuesday, January 2nd and 3rd from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00 p.m.

 Auditions for Beauty and the Beast

Sunday, February 5th  1:30 p.m.

Alicia Tremmel, Bonnie Maky, Violins
Luane Lasky, Viola
Trevor Kazarian, Cello
Betty Meyers, Piano

Five of Cleveland’s finest and most active musicians team up to present an afternoon recital of beautiful music.

Friday, April 28th, 8:00 p.m.

“BW in Cleveland”
Octavio Más-Arocas & Dirk Garner, conductors. Bringing BW artistry to Cleveland in the final performance of the season. Featuring Brahms’ “German Requiem.”

Friday, April 29th, 8:00 p.m.

Beethoven’s epic sense of struggle emerges with fresh intensity as Jeannette Sorrell leads his revolutionary Egmont Overture and Fifth Symphony. Internationally renowned violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley (the young American concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic) makes his period-instrument debut, bringing lyrical transcendence to Beethoven’s beloved Violin Concerto. Read about Noah

Video of Apollo’s Fire rehearsing for Beethoven concerts

Friday, May 5th, 7:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church Music Program Fundraiser

A Cabaret Benefit performance by the talented musicians of our congregation.

Sunday, May 14th, 3:00 p.m.

Featuring J.S Bach’s motet Jesu, meine Freude, Benjamin Britten’s Five Flower Songs, and the world premier of Cleveland composer Corey Rubin’s My Mother. Also music by Parsons, LeJeune, Bernstein, McDowall, and Lauridsen. Tickets available