Friends of Music and the Arts is dedicated to providing a variety of offerings appropriate to a sacred space, using local artists and performers as well as regional, national, and international talent.  Established in 1999, FOMA built upon an already solid foundation in liturgical arts presentation at Church of the Ascension, and has since that time published a brochure each year detailing its offerings and events.

The very fine acoustic of Ascension's nave provides a special space for sacred music performance and the liturgical arts.  Among the ensembles appearing under FOMA's auspices have been The Tallis Scholars, Anonymous 4 and Lionheart, The Sixteen, Chanticleer, and The King's Singers.  Organists Gillian Weir, Thomas Trotter, Marilyn Keiser, David Craighead, and David Higgs have performed recitals on Ascension's organ (1988 Karl Wilhelm, 3/63).  Liturgical drama has been represented by Early Music New York's "Daniel and the Lions," and Carol Anderson's Feather on the Breath of God.  The author Jan Karon has appeared in conjunction with the publication of her book Home to Holly Springs.

Friends of Music and the Arts frequently partners with other arts organizations in Knoxville in its presentations; some of the above-mentioned performers have appeared in collaboration with other local arts entities, such as the Knoxville chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the MARCO Institute at the University of Tennessee.

For more information on how to become a Friend, contact Jim Garvey in the church music dept. at 588-0589, ext. 216.

To see the current Friends of Music and the Arts' season, click here.