community concert series
Hillsdale First United Methodist Community Concerts: Sharing the Gift of Music in the Name of Christ.
In 2015, Hillsdale First United Methodist Church began a concert series as part of our Celebration of 150 Years of Ministry at our 45 North Manning Street location.
Our goal is to present musical programs to the community in order to offer the good news of Jesus Christ through the gift of music.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
2024 Concerts
by heaven's light: a musical celebration of christmas
On Saturday, December 7 at 4:00 pm, the Hillsdale First United Methodist Church presented its 2024 Community Christmas Concert.
This Musical Celebration of Christmas featured the choral cantata “By Heaven’s Light” written by Tom Long and composer Allen Pote. The Hillsdale First UMC Chancel Choir, with guest vocalists and instrumentalists, performed under the direction of Calista Brunett, Director of Music. Musical pieces were accompanied by dramatic narrations that retold the story of Christ’s birth.
“By Heaven’s Light”: A Musical Celebration of Christmas was offered as a gift to the community by Hillsdale First United Methodist Church as part of its 2024 Community Concert Series: Sharing the Gift of Music in the Name of Christ.
organ recital, BY CALISTA BRUNETT WITH NICHOLAS NESTORAK, TENOR
On Sunday, October 27 at 4:00 pm, our Director of Music, Calista Brunett, presented an organ recital with a varied repertoire including pieces by Mendelssohn, Bach, and others.
She was joined by Nicholas Nestorak, tenor, who returns to Hillsdale after a successful performance schedule that included his Metropolitan Opera debut earlier this year.
Our concerts are free and open to all and offered as part of our Community Concert Series: Sharing the Gift of Music in the Name of Christ.
Previous Community Concerts
2023 Concerts
Let the Whole World Sing! Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
The King of Kings, Silent Film Presentation, accompanied live by Organist Dr. John Schwandt
David Youngman, Fingerstyle Guitarist
2022 Concerts
Were You There on That Christmas Night? Hillsdale First UMC's Christmas Concert
2020 concerts
Concert of Sacred Music, by Gary and Martha Matthews
2019 concerts
Night of the Father's Love Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
The Kalamazoo Ringers Handbell Choir
Piano and Vocal Concert, by Debbi Wyse with Nicholas Nestorak, tenor
2018 CONCERTS
By Heaven's Light Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
David Youngman, Fingerstyle Guitarist
2017 concerts
Were You There on that Christmas Night? Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
Alma College Choir Concert
The Ten Commandments Silent Film Presentation, accompanied live by Organist Dr. John Schwandt
What Sweeter Music Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
Organ Recital, by John Ourensma with Nicholas Nestorak, Tenor
The Kalamazoo Ringers Handbell Choir
The King of Kings, Silent Film Presentation, accompanied live by Organist Dr. John Schwandt
2015 concerts
Sing We Now of Christmas Hillsdale First UMC's Annual Christmas Concert
Pipe Organ Recital and Demonstration, by John Ourensma
The Covenant Players, Drama Team
Bradley Hunter Welch, Virtuoso Organist
Cameron Wilkens, Pianist
