REJOICINGS is a reboot of a series that began in 2015 and ran until the fall of 2019 when the Covid pandemic necessitated a pause.  It was developed as a gift to the wider community.  We seek to offer quality concerts of varying musical genres, as well as worship and educational events. 

Bible conferences and the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols are intended to meet the series’ worship and educational goals. Hymn festivals, held on alternate years in rotation with the Bible conferences, shine a light onto those hymns that have strengthened the worship of the Christian Church over the centuries while offering the opportunity for attendees to revel in the joy that comes from singing these hymns in full voice with friends in faith.

In our first three seasons, we were pleased to present the sparkling flute and harp duo of Amy Toner and Mia Venezia, the award-winning Ukrainian pianist Anna Bogolubova, violist Kayla Williams with jazz pianist Chris McCarthy, the North Carolina Brass Band Quintet, the accordion/violin team known as Duo Karolina & Iwo, and Konrad Paszkudzki, a widely known jazz pianist who works to preserve the music of The Great American Songbook.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Derek Thomas, Reformed theologian and author, to lead a Bible conference at the close of the 2023-24 season. We were equally delighted to present Dr. Neil Stewart, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, to lead the 2026 conference. 

The 2024-25 season concluded with a hymn festival that spotlighted our church's vibrant stained glass windows.  Both seasons included the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service.  The music for that service is supported by chamber orchestra, organ, and choir.

While there is no charge to attend any of the Rejoicings events, donations are always gratefully accepted.  Because the series is funded solely by donations, its continuation is reliant upon such gifts.

We are pleased to present the 2026/27 slate of offerings.

BRASS ROOTS TRIO: "American Impressions"

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026

4:00 PM

*A nursery will be available for this concert.*

“If you can imagine Garrison Keillor meeting Aaron Copland on Bourbon Street you get a sense of the BRASS ROOTS TRIO.”

One of the most unique ensembles in the country, BRASS ROOTS TRIO has won acclaim for its adventurous programming, breathtaking virtuosity, and artistic passion. With three musicians and a variety of instruments – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, Native American flute, vocals, and piano – Travis Heath, Douglas Lundeen, and Rosetta Senkus Bacon infuse their music with exuberant energy.

Classical by intent and eclectic by content, Brass Roots Trio’s “American Impressions” program takes unexpected twists and turns from Billy Joel to Aaron Copland to virtuosic showpieces of Gershwin and Bernstein. The lively program captures vignettes of the many cultures of America and brings to life memories of the Mississippi River boats and the musical legends that they carried from New Orleans, the southern gospel revivals, and the haunting beauty of the Native American Flute.

And if the pyrotechnic musical fireworks were not enough, the horn player puts down his horn and sings an operatic aria or spiritual with his gorgeous tenor voice.

BRASS ROOTS TRIO has played to standing ovations in every corner of the US and England since 2004. In 2009, the trio was honored to perform for President and Mrs. Obama and their guests at the White House.

The trio’s warmhearted presentation, with commentaries that are informative and often humorous, makes an immediate connection with the audience. With virtuosic brilliance, Brass Roots Trio creates symphonic sounds making three instruments sound like a small orchestra. Their imaginative programming and exhilarating performances have established them as one of the most compelling ensembles of the 21st century.

Enjoy music samples here.

Visit the Brass Roots Trio website here.