Bringing music with a message, the Bethel University Renaissance Choir will return to Jefferson City this weekend.
The choir, which is based at the university in McKenzie, Tennessee, will perform a free community concert at 6 p.m. Saturday at Concord Baptist Church, 3724 W. Truman Blvd. The group also will perform during the 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services at the church. According to the university's website, the choir performs a variety of music, from praise and worship to classical, and has traveled to perform nationally and internationally. The choir has previously performed with Bill Gaither and The Gaither Vocal Band, among others.
Ryan Griffin, director of Renaissance Relations at Bethel University, said three of the scholarship program's students are Jefferson City natives - Emma and Elle Koelling, and Wade Hoover - which is why the choir has begun to make regular trips to the area. The choir has performed during services at Concord Baptist over the last couple of years, but this is the first time the choir will do a community concert, Griffin said, allowing those who belong to other area churches to enjoy the choir's performance.
Griffin said the Renaissance Choir is truly a sight to see, as choir shows have top notch production values.
"The production level is sometimes compared to Broadway," Griffin said, noting the choir is on the road more than 30 days each semester. "We travel with full production every time we go out. It's going to be a worship experience."
The concert will be free, though Griffin noted they will be asking for donations from those who are able to give. But more than anything, he said, the choir would simply like to deliver the Christian message through good music.
"Come and experience great music and also hear the message of the cross," Griffin said.