LANCASTER — Music is the universal language that appeals to everyone of all ages and backgrounds.

This is the message that soprano Alfreda Burke and her husband, tenor Roderick Dixon, tried to emphasize to the more than 60 children and adults who attended Major Arts for Minors on Friday at First Presbyterian Church.

The couple sang classical, opera, Broadway and gospel numbers separately and together. They were accompanied by Judith Stillman of New York. "I thought the music was very beautiful,” said Janette Wiseman, 10, of Somerset. “I learned that you need to practice every day to keep your voice strong.”

Burke has appeared twice at The Lancaster Festival, and Dixon performed two years ago as one of the members of Three Mo' Tenors.

Burke opened the program with excerpts of songs by Wolfgang Mozart, Giacomo Puccini and the George Gershwin folk opera "Porgy and Bess." She closed her portion with "I Hate Music, I Like Music," a collection of five children's songs for sopranos.

Dixon, who said he was coming down with a cold, demonstrated how he warms up his voice, and how his voice sounds before it is warmed up compared to the full, rich sound afterward.

Dixon then sang "Lonely House" and "Maria" from "West Side Story" to show those in attendance how singing and acting work together. "I was once told that you don't sing all the notes, you just make all the notes sing," Dixon said.

Dixon said he wanted to impress upon the children that they all have gifts inside them that they need to use. "Gifts are things that God gives you without getting an education. You find out what that gift is and perfect it with education so that you can understand how to best use that gift," Dixon said.

Burke and Dixon talked about how they both auditioned for "Showboat" in Chicago in 1995 and were hired to be in the show. They became engaged while the musical ran and were married in late 1996. Burke stayed in "Showboat" while Dixon left to be in "Ragtime."

The couple said they both are children of preachers and they rely on their faith to sustain them while they travel and perform. "For us, our strong Christian background is the bedrock of our music and our profession," Dixon said. "We don't hide fromwhat we are and what we believe, and we don't try to be abrasive or pushy. I can't preach a sermon, but I can sing one."

Burke agreed. "God pushes himself through our music," Burke said. "That's our joy," Burke, who taught in schools in the Chicago area for 15 years, encouraged the children to let music be a part of their lives, whether it's through singing, instruments or dance.

"Music enriches the lives of children and makes them more well-rounded individuals," Burke said. "Music helps them in other areas including thinking, remembering, history and math. Music is science and enhances language. Music is too important for the whole person to take out of the curriculum."

Devon Palmer, 11, of Thornville, said this was the first concert she has ever attended. "It was great. I'm not into high-voiced music, but I thought their music was beautiful," Devon said. "I sing in my church choir and want to sing better."

Burke and Dixon also sang at a Cafe Concert at Shaw's Restaurant and Inn on Friday afternoon.

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