The Wesley Series of Bella Vista First United Methodist Church was inaugurated in April, 1995. The program was named for the brothers John and Charles Wesley, the 18th century English evangelists who are recognized as the founders of the Methodist denomination. The purpose of the Wesley Series is to bring outstanding musicians, artists, scholars and speakers to Bella Vista several times each year. The musical portion of the Series features vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles offering a variety of programs including classical, jazz, bluegrass and gospel. The Series’ list of lecturers and speakers includes musicians, graphic artists, politicians, theologians and academic/research scholars. Now in its 19th year, the Wesley Series’ first program, presented on May 14, 1995, was a piano recital by the then 16-year old Greenwood, Arkansas native, Cole Burger. Burger has since gone on to pursue a career as a piano teacher and recitalist, having earned his doctoral degree in piano performance from the University of Texas. Other Series musical events have included two appearances by the internationally acclaimed soprano Deborah Lynn Cole, organ recitals by John Obetz and Gail Archer, jazz concerts with Pulitzer Prize nominee Dan Knight, and regular appearances by the Graduate Fellowship String Quartet from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Some of the Series’ non-musical events have included an art show of paintings by Robert Skaggs, and lecture presentations by Arkansas Senator Dale Bumpers, theologian Muzon Biggs and music historian Marek Kudlicki. As the Wesley Series embarks on its 19th year, we look forward to a return concert by pianist Dr. Cole Burger, a performance featuring the Cherokee National Youth Choir from Tahlequah, OK, the annual visit of the Graduate Fellowship String Quartet from UMKC and an organ recital scheduled for the fall.
