Christian band Alitheia to play at FSCC

A local contemporary Christian music band will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday inside the cafeteria of the administration building at the Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.

The band, called Alitheia, will play a number of Christian-based songs intended to inspire and spread the good news of Christianity to the audience.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the youth in Fort Scott and the surrounding areas to come together and attend something that's free and a safe environment and good music," said Caroline Tucker, whose daughter, Mariam, is a vocalist in the band. "Maybe it will help someone find a different path in their life if they're on the wrong road."

According to the band's biography, Alitheia means "truth" in Greek, and that word exemplifies what the band is all about. "The main purpose is to praise God and bring their audience to His presence. Their mission is to spread the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," said the biography provided by Larry Shead, a family sponsor for Christians on Campus, which is sponsoring the event.

The band was formed last summer when a local church was putting together a Christian festival and they needed live music. Since then, they've been playing at school baccalaureates, youth lock-ins, and town festivals. The band also performed in a street festival in Commerce, Okla., last fall.

Alitheia consists of five members who play guitars and drums. The band's leader, Salvador Prado, plays the guitar and sings. He's a music education major at Pittsburg State University and a worship leader at Bethesda Community Church in Commerce, Okla.

Mariam Tucker, a junior at PSU, became involved with the band after meeting Prado, while they played in PSU's marching band.

"They made a friendship, because they're both Christians and they have that in common," Caroline Tucker said.

Several of the band members have been playing together for quite some time, she said. The rest of the band members include Roberto Prado on bass guitar, Tim Osborn, playing guitar, and Tony Blazer on the drums.

"Instrumentally, they're great," Tucker said. "They've got it all together. They know what they're doing."

The band members attend various churches, all under the banner of Christianity.

Shead said the event gives college and high school students a chance to have a good time.