Music and ministry have always gone hand in hand.
But an Aiken group will soon incorporate various genres and styles - including opera and orchestras - to join the two entities for a highly anticipated worship experience.
The Evening of Elegance is scheduled for March 28, but the Music Ministry of Aiken has been planning the event for weeks. It will begin at 5 p.m. at the River of Life Church, 1411 Columbia Highway N.
The event is free and will feature the students of the Rev. Jane Wise, among others.
"Student from my ministry will be performing, some as young as 11," Wise said.
She added that many children and young adults of color are cast in a negative light, and to battle that, the Evening of Elegance will showcase young men and women who are patrons of the arts, she said.
Performances will include those of the classical variety in addition to opera.
Wise said one of the most exciting parts of the event is the special guest, the Aiken Civic Orchestra.
The Music Ministry of Aiken teaches, classical, gospel piano and voice. We are a non-profit ministry. The program features youth along with accomplished vocalists and is designed to introduce other youth to the arts.
"I was exposed to classical music as a youth and studying music meant there was always something new to learn, always a new challenge to feel good about achieving through hard work and persistence," Wise added. "Learning how to read music is one of the more beneficial things I've learned in my life because it seems to translate from the classroom to life."
For more information, visit the Gospel Musicians Guild of the CSRA Facebook page.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.