Members of Swingsation rehearse Tuesday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Evans City. Swingsation will contribute its big band music to a fundraising concert March 3 at Succop Theater on the campus of Butler County Community College. Members are, from left, Phillip Ball; Dean Weiland; Brookes Decker; Evie Barnee; Davlin Hupp and Joyce Hamilton. Director Claudette Sanzotti and organist Jessica Sanzotti are not in photograph.

Over the last year, Sue Mekis has learned that concerts involve more than just music.

Details of ticketing, securing a location and lining up performers were all part of the Circle of Friends Evening of Performance and Praise, set for March 3 at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater.

"I have about 34 people on stage the first half and about 24 the second half," Mekis said of the first-time fundraising event to benefit the Penn Christian Academy. "And that doesn't include the kindergarten kids."

The idea to host a concert began with a small handful of musicians affiliated with the North Main Street Church of God, which opened the school in 1987, Mekis said.

But enthusiasm that grew from word-of-mouth publicity and mailings to area churches resulted in an extensive lineup of donated talent.

The concert will integrate vocal and instrumental praise, classical and contemporary music, some of which is secular.

"I wanted people from the Christian community to come," Mekis said. "But I also wanted people who just enjoy music to come."

Performances will include the big band music of Swingsation, gospel singing, a fiddle and jazz.

A dance performance and song will be interpreted with sign language by Sarah Dunlap, a student at Penn Christian Academy.

"The proceeds are targeted toward our fine arts programs, but portions of proceeds may be used for immediate needs," Mekis said.

One such need will include a new piano for Carla Osborne, music director at Penn Christian Academy and one of the artists set to perform March 3.

The school was founded as a preschool in 1987 as a ministry of the North Main Street Church of God.

Adding a grade each year, the school was ready to "burst at the seams," Mekis said of the 2002 purchase of the former Penn Township Elementary School on Airport Road.

The school now includes students through sixth grade who are educated not only academically — but also spiritually, socially, physically, and emotionally, said Cindy Dodds, principal.

"Every child is someone special. Smaller student population allows every student to participate and excel in instrumental and choral music, drama, visual arts and sports," she said.

Mekis, who is on the board of directors, said it was that "well-rounded student" concept that spurred the idea of the showcase.

"We enjoy being able to provide extracurricular fine art opportunities for our students to attend. This benefit will be an excellent showcase of a variety of music," said Mekis.

WHAT: The Circle of Friends Evening of Performance and Praise fundraising concert for Penn Christian AcademyWHEN: 7 p.m. March 3WHERE: Succop Theater, Butler County Community CollegeTICKETS: $22 at Penn Christian Academy on Airport Road or May's Music ShoppeFOR INFORMATION: 724-586-5200 or www.pennchristianacademy.org.