Submitted
The Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra hosts a free Christmas Concert at Greer First Baptist Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The orchestra, conducted by Kory Frieze, will play traditional holiday favorites, both secular and Christian. Guests are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy.
"There will be Christmas carols and music that is associated with the Christmas season," said Evan Duke, president of the board of directors for the orchestra.
"A couple of the pieces are ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’ The evening’s highlight will be will be the suite ‘Polar Express’. It's Christmas favorites and music written with the season in mind,” Duke said
The Foothills Philharmonic was founded in 2000 and made Greer its home in 2011. The orchestra held its Christmas concert in 2012 and added the Toys for Tots drive in 2013.
"In the fall of 2013, the board was talking about ways to do a little bit more to be a part of the community," Duke said. "During the course of discussions we talked about doing a Toys for Tots drive and thought it would be a great idea. We can give people an hour-long concert and the opportunity to donate a toy to a child who otherwise might not have a Christmas."
Duke said the response from the community has been overwhelming and each year has seen more toys donated to the charity sponsored by the United States Marine Corps.
"I'd say the previous two drives have been very well supported," Duke said. “We went in not even knowing if we would make it an annual thing. It was a trial run.
"We collected between three and a half boxes of toys,” Duke said. “Because of that success there was no debate about doing it again next year. We got four boxes last year. We were told by the Marines, who have come that this has tended to be really, really good."
Greer First Baptist Church hosted its first Foothills Philharmonic concert in March and Duke said the church has been a terrific venue.
"I cannot say enough good things about Greer First Baptist Church," Duke said. "The church has supported us very openly. They have been excellent hosts and we are very thankful. They are a tremendous asset to the community."
"We ask people, if they can, to bring a toy that's new, and donations go specifically to the Foothills Philharmonic's operating expenses," Duke said.
Want to go?
Who: Foothills Philharmonic Christmas concert
Where: Greer First Baptist Church
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped new toy,