Music can liven any occasion. Music can enhance any occasion.

With Highland Presbyterian Church's Performing Arts Series, music is the occasion.

"The performing arts are so important because they bring people of all generations together," said Jennifer Switch, who's one of the 13 committee members for the series. "Everyone can come together and enjoy music and keep music alive for kids and families. Music is a social thing we all need."

The inaugural series, which has evolved from the 50-year-old and now disbanded Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series (LLCS), will be presented at 7 p.m. on select days throughout the remainder of the year inside Highland Presbyterian Church's 600-seat sanctuary, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster. The concerts, which typically run between an hour and 90 minutes, are free and open to the public.

All of the concerts will be livestreamed on Highland Presbyterian Church's YouTube channel.

"I think audiences should expect high-quality musical performances," said Switch. "We're really changing the scope of what the series was by including family and broadening the genres of music. Before, it was almost like the same groups would come back year after year. We're adding more family concerts to get more of the community involved with music."

"Typically, (the performances) are fun and energetic," continued Switch. "It's different, energetic music for the summer."

Six of the 10 concerts that make up the series have already been scheduled. Details of the remaining four performances will be announced at a later date.

The first concert in the series featured Eric Fung in early May. The next performance will feature The King's Brass on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m., followed by the New Holland Band at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28; John Darrenkamp at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 10; Rizzetta's Tones at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24; and Vocal Harmonix at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14.

"I think the concerts are for both the musicians and the audience," said Switch. "We always hear from our performers how grateful they are to come. They're thrilled to be able to perform in a venue like this, and the audience loves it."

For many years, the LLCS was presented at Highland Presbyterian Church. That series was originally founded in the 1970s through an affiliation with Lancaster Opera Company Associates.

"The Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series is now disbanded, and we're creating a yearlong series under the Highland Presbyterian Performing Arts name," said Switch. "We have four members from the old group on our committee, and we're bringing in new artists. I think it's a little sad, but I don't think we're going to lose the audience they created. I think as it goes on, it's going to get better."

Highland Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1958, seeks to play a prominent role in the Manheim Township community, and music has always played an important role in the church's mission.

"The church is looking at (the series) as outreach," said Switch. "We've got this beautiful set up that's part of our mission. Our newest mission is to be seen, known and loved by God. We want the community to know about our church. We want people to live the experiences of what we can provide. Every church has to continue to evolve. We continue to push into the community and try to keep our members feeling useful. That's why getting a new music series is the next way to evolve."

"We want to get people out and get people involved," added Switch. "We are just trying to be a place in the community. We feel music is important to get people together. We want people to experience live music; it can be such a good mood booster."

For additional information, go to http://www.highlandpc.org.