Ministries:
Music
Ministry
Music is something we both hear and sing when we worship. This is related to the fact that worship is both call and response. The call of God reaches the depths of our hearts with special power through music, and our singing expresses with special power the deepest response of our hearts to God.
Music is the heart language of worship, and makes a difference in how everything else in the service goes. When we all have been lifted to the heights through music, the pastor and others who lead worship are inspired to preach and lead with greater freedom and power. Those who worship in the pews find their hearts and minds opened to hear more clearly and receive more fully the good news that is the gospel.
Community
Artist & Speaker Series
FPGH has a long and established history supporting and promoting the arts as a means by which we demonstrate our hospitality, encourage intellectual pursuits, and nurture spiritual growth. We program an average of eight concerts per season, and since the program’s launch in 2008, we have welcomed thousands of people into our sanctuary for a wide range of concerts and events.
Community Artist Series events are free and open to the public. All are welcome.
2026/27 C.A.S. Schedule
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra
September 27, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Get ready to swing into a new season of great music! We are excited to open our 2026-27 season with the exciting sounds of the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra.
For over four decades, the GRJO has been a driving force in West Michigan’s vibrant music scence. As one of the region’s premier big bands, GRJO unites some of the area’s top talent dedicated to the art of live jazz!
Save the date, invite a friend, and plan to join us for an unforgettable afternoon of big band jazz!
Spooktacular Organ Recital
October 25, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Dress up in your Halloween best and join us for an afternoon of spooky fun and spectacular organ music!
Rob Hlebinsky and other artists from the West Michigan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will join talented local musicians in presenting a frighteningly delightful program sure to entertain ghosts and goblins of all ages. Enjoy a lively mix of classical favorites, popular tunes, and Broadway hits—with plenty of musical surprises along the way!
Echoing Air
November 8, 2026 7:00 p.m.
Echoing Air, Inc. is a chamber ensemble dedicated to exploring and presenting music for singers and Baroque instruments, with a special emphasis on the English Baroque. Most concerts feature two countertenors, two recorders, and basso continuo. The ensemble’s name is inspired by “Hark, the Echoing Air,” a well-known song by Henry Purcell.
Echoing Air’s repertoire spans music from across Europe, from the Medieval era to the present day. The ensemble tours frequently and has appeared on civic, church, and university concert series throughout the country.
GOTAK
Date TBD, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Since its start in 2005 with just a few curious orchestra students, GOTAK has grown into a vibrant and beloved string ensemble at Grand Haven High School.
Blending Bluegrass, Irish and Celtic folk tunes, Jazz, and even a bit of Rock, GOTAK brings a unique twist to the traditional orchestra scene. With passion, creativity, and a whole lot of fun, GOTAK continues to strike a chord with both its members and its audiences.
West Michigan Winds Small Ensembles
December 6, 2026 4:00 p.m.
West Michigan Concert WINDS Small Ensembles showcase the talent and versatility of musicians from one of Michigan’s oldest and largest adult community bands. Performing in a variety of instrumental combinations, these smaller groups offer engaging and intimate musical experiences featuring a diverse repertoire. Their performances highlight the rich sounds, artistry, and community spirit that have made the West Michigan Concert WINDS a valued part of the region’s
musical landscape for more than four decades.
Conservation Biology Speaker, John Ball Zoo
January 17, 2027 4:00 p.m.
Join a conservation specialist from John Ball Zoo for an engaging look at the science and stories behind wildlife conservation. Through the lens of the endangered red panda, discover how research, habitat restoration, and partnerships with local communities are helping protect wildlife and preserve threatened ecosystems. This fascinating presentation will offer insight into the challenges facing endangered species—and the hopeful work being done to ensure their survival.
Daniel Colaner, Young Organist
February 28, 2027 4:00 p.m.
Daniel Colaner is an award-winning young organist whose remarkable talent has captivated audiences across the country. At age 12, he gained national attention after performing on piano at Carnegie Hall and on organ at St. Patrick’s Cathedral—all in the same day. Since then, he has appeared on NPR’s From the Top and PBS with the American Pops Orchestra and has earned top honors in numerous national and international organ competitions.
A student at the Curtis Institute of Music, Daniel brings exceptional artistry, technical brilliance, and infectious enthusiasm to his performances. Join us as this rising star showcases the power, beauty, and excitement of the pipe organ.
Folias Duo
April 18, 2027 4:00 p.m.
Folias Duo—flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron—creates a musical experience that is imaginative, expressive, and uniquely their own. Blending elements of classical music with jazz, world music, and improvisation, this acclaimed composer-performer duo brings original music to life through the rich and intimate sounds of flute and guitar.
Based in Grand Rapids, Folias Duo has performed more than 700 concerts across the United States, South America, and Europe. With more than two decades of collaboration, Maret and Bergeron continue to captivate audiences with music inspired by nature, travel, and the world around them.
Organ Recital: Rob Hlebinsky
June 6, 2027 4:00 p.m.
Rob Hlebinsky is an accomplished organist, pianist, arranger, and educator with a passion for sharing the power and versatility of the pipe organ with audiences of all ages. A graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Rob has performed solo organ recitals throughout the United States and is a familiar presence on concert series throughout West Michigan.
Known for blending traditional organ repertoire with imaginative arrangements of popular film and Disney music, Rob brings energy, creativity, and a welcoming spirit to every performance. His engaging programs showcase the remarkable range of the “King of Instruments” while inviting audiences to experience the organ in fresh and unexpected ways.