Local musicians to share evening of family-centered music
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Submitted photo
Kevin Zook will take the stage on Saturday at the Live Music Series at Ellen Chapel Church in Lewistown.
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Submitted photo
Tim Dunmire will perform a set dedicated to John Prine.

Submitted photo
Kevin Zook will take the stage on Saturday at the Live Music Series at Ellen Chapel Church in Lewistown.
LEWISTOWN — The Live Music Series at Ellen Chapel in Lewistown will offer a warm, inviting mid-winter gathering on Saturday as two well-known central Pennsylvania musicians — Kevin Zook and Tim Dunmire — share an evening of storytelling, collaboration and community-minded music.
The free music program begins at 6:30 p.m. and brings together two artists whose styles differ in tone but meet beautifully in purpose: to bring people together through songs that resonate.
Zook will open the night with a wide-ranging set that reflects the full breadth of his musical life. A multi-instrumentalist with a deep commitment to faith-centered and family-friendly music, Zook moves easily between trumpet, flugelhorn, piano and harmonica. His program will include sacred pieces, patriotic selections, sing-along favorites and original compositions, creating a warm, approachable atmosphere that invites listeners of all ages to participate.
A highlight of Zook’s performance will be the introduction of new children’s songs from his recently-launched website, kevinzookmusic.com. The project, which he describes as a collection of “faith-building songs for children,” is designed to help young listeners learn more about the Bible through music that is memorable, encouraging and rooted in simple truths.
His website already features six recordings, with three more newly-completed. The songs are part of a larger vision: planting seeds of faith and curiosity in children, with the hope that those seeds will take root as they grow.

Submitted photo
Tim Dunmire will perform a set dedicated to John Prine.
Zook will be joined by fellow musicians Josh Hill and Bridget Allen, with upright bass adding depth and warmth to the ensemble.
The trio plans to perform several pieces together, creating what Zook calls “a mixed bag” — a blend of styles, instruments and voices shaped by friendship and shared purpose. The program is intentionally family-friendly, and children of all ages are welcome. Zook hopes the evening will feel like a place where families can sing, smile, and feel connected.
Refreshments will be served at 7:30 p.m., giving the audience time to mingle before the second half of the program.
Tim Dunmire: Tribute to John Prine
The evening’s second act will feature Dunmire, a longtime regional musician who will present a set dedicated to the songs of John Prine. Dunmire has been a fixture in central Pennsylvania’s music scene for decades, performing with several groups and earning a reputation for his warm voice, thoughtful phrasing and deep respect for the craft of songwriting.
His tribute to Prine — whose music blends humor, tenderness and a keen eye for the human condition — promises to bring a reflective, resonant close to the evening.
Prine’s songs are beloved for their honesty and emotional clarity, and Dunmire’s connection to the material makes the performance especially meaningful. His interpretations highlight the storytelling at the heart of Prine’s work, offering listeners a chance to revisit familiar songs or discover them anew.
The set provides a natural counterbalance to Zook’s family-centered first act, creating a program that moves from playful to poignant while maintaining a shared spirit of community.
Together, Zook and Dunmire represent two complementary threads of local music: one rooted in faith, teaching, and family engagement; the other grounded in folk tradition, narrative depth, and the enduring power of a well-crafted song.
Their Saturday performance brings those threads together in a way that feels both intimate and celebratory — a reminder of how music can gather people, lift spirits and create shared moments that linger long after the final note.



