Bethel Church holding piano benefit concert

Bethel United Church of Christ’s new grand piano. Photo courtesy of Jacob Wang.

submitted by Bethel United Church of Christ

Experience the transformative power of music! Join Bethel United Church of Christ as they joyfully gather to commemorate their new grand piano. Bethel Church, located at 10425 Bethel Church Rd, is holding a free Piano Benefit Concert on Friday, July 21, at 7pm featuring performances by music director Jacob Wang and guest musicians Carol Muehlig on the organ, Kevin Sung on the violin, Philipp Elssner on the violin, and Ben Maxwell on the cello. A reception will be held afterward.

Jacob Wang

Jacob Wang has been working at Bethel as a pianist and music director for about a year. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, but grew up in Iowa and North Carolina. Wang attended University of North Carolina School of the Arts High School where he met Philipp Elssner and Ben Maxwell, who will also be performing at the concert. Wang completed his bachelor’s degree at University of Michigan in 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Pedagogy. He has performed solo recitals and chamber recitals internationally, appeared with multiple symphonies, won prizes in multiple competitions, and has worked with underserved youth in the Our Own Thing Piano Program. Currently, he is on faculty at the University of Michigan Piano Preparatory Lab Program, in addition to serving as the music director at Bethel Church. 

Although the concert is free, the church will be collecting donations for their Sacred Music Fund. The Sacred Music Fund is used to pay for new choir sheet music, equipment, guest musicians, and new instruments for all four choirs, including the Bethel Choir, Praise Choir, Children’s Choir, and Handbell Choir. Donations can be made at the reception or while exiting the concert. Please make checks out to Bethel United Church of Christ with the memo “July 21 Concert.” 

This concert is also the last day to contribute to the piano fundraiser. The church is doing a “buy a key” campaign where you can sponsor a key (or more) for $50/each. Names of those who contribute will go on the commemorative quilt being made.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.