Courtesy Photo The King’s Strings pose with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and his wife after a concert at the Governor’s Holiday Open House in December 2008.

King, who plays several instruments, and his wife, who plays the violin, lead five of their six children, ages 4 to 14. (Hope Anne, the youngest, is too young to claim an instrument just yet.) According to their website (www.thekingsstrings.com), they have played all over their home state of Pennsylvania, west to Ohio, east to the Chesapeake Bay area and south to Florida.

In 2008, The King's Strings entertained the guests of Pennsylvania's Governor Ed Rendell at his annual Holiday Open House.

Fairview trustee Ted Hebb first heard the family play two years ago at the Allenberry Playhouse in Boiling Springs, Pa., and has been looking forward to booking the band at Fairview Chapel ever since.

"My wife and I were very impressed with their playing ability, especially with a whole group of kids playing as professionals," Hebb said. "They all play string instruments and play a variety of things from classical to contemporary music. I've asked them to play as many seasonal and religious songs as possible -- we're calling this 'the Sounds of the Season.'"

Hebb said he has also asked King to deliver a short message about the true meaning of Christmas and the relationship of music to the season.

John and Cindy King are joined by Andrew, 14, on the violin, Jesse, 12, on the cello, Mariana, 11, on the violin, Isaac, 8, on the viola and Eden, 4, who has begun to play the violin.

Always learning new instruments, according to their website, the King household is also filled with the music of the hammered dulcimer, mandolin, drums and anything else that can make sound or keep rhythm. Fiddling, however, is by far their favorite and their specialty. They play music from classical to contemporary to folk, worship and Broadway.

For the past three years the chapel has tried to something a little different during the Advent season, Hebb said.

Nelva Mount, also a Fairview trustee, said the historic, candlelit chapel, built in 1847, seats about 80 and should serve as a perfect setting for the performance.

"The Sunday evening vesper services are a wonderful experience," Mount said. "You just feel the spirit."

Fairview Chapel is one of four charges overseen by the Rev. Richard Baker, whose main duties revolve around Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church on Liberty Road. Baker, who also serves as pastor at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and Silver Hill United Methodist Church, said with a laugh that the vesper services at Fairview Chapel are "for people who do not get enough church on church morning."

"They attract a good variety of people -- Methodists, Baptists, Catholics," Baker said. "It's open to everyone."

The relatively small group of regular attendees at Fairview Chapel annually raises and gives away between $15,000 and $17,000 to area charities, Baker said, including the Patty Pollatos Fund, Beacon House, the Frederick Rescue Mission and the homeless ministry at Centennial Memorial United Church in downtown Frederick .

The King's Strings' performance is free and open to the public. A voluntary collection will taken. The King's Strings are also scheduled to play the governor's annual open house in Harrisburg, Pa. on Dec. 13.