West Virginia University - News and Information Services
WVU choral program to present Handel's 'Messiah' Dec. 4
Performance this year's holiday concert, scholarship fundraiser
The Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed by the West Virginia University choral program during its annual holiday concert Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Creative Arts Center.
The performance – which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre – is also the Division of Music’s annual Scholarship Gala, with proceeds going to support music scholarships at WVU. Kathleen Shannon, director of the choral program, will be the conductor.
The program will feature the WVU Choral Area; the WVU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mitchell Arnold; University High School Chamber Choir, directed by Barry Kolar; the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School Concert Choir, directed by Marissa Ulmer; and the Bethany College Chamber Ensemble, conducted by David Rudari.
Kolar, Ulmer and Rudari are alumni of the WVU Division of Music and were invited to bring their choirs to join the WVU Choral Area for the performance.
Student soloists – all studying vocal performance at WVU – will include soprano Min Sue Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, and a doctoral student; mezzo soprano Marissa Bloom, a California native pursuing a master’s degree; tenor Michael Talerico, a senior from Bridgeport, Pa.; and David Rudari, a doctoral student from Syracuse, N.Y.
“Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is one of the most important compositions in all of music history,” Shannon said. “I have tried to do the work once every four years, so every music student has the chance to learn it or experience it as an audience member at least once. This will be the fourth time I have conducted the ‘Messiah’ on the WVU campus.
“The entire work, an oratorio, is actually in three big parts,” Shannon added. “Part I is also called the ‘Christmas portion,’ not only for its thematic content, but also because it is performed regularly around the world during the Christmas season. In this section, Handel has chosen the prophecy of Isaiah and other Old Testament passages that foretell the coming of the Messiah. Parts II and III deal with Christ’s death and resurrection.”
In Part I, there are six numbers, plus the “Hallelujah” chorus, which are performed only by the choir. This is some of the most vocally challenging music ever written.
“Our choir will number approximately 225 singers, ranging in age from teenagers to members in their 80s,” Shannon said. “We have all been preparing for this one performance since school began in late August.
“We include the ‘Hallelujah’ in this performance because it is possibly the most well-known piece of choral music ever written,” she added. “Although the ‘Hallelujah’ actually concludes Part II, its joyous mood closes out a concert well.”
Tickets for the holiday concert are available at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices or by calling 304-293-SHOW. Tickets will also be available at the door.