Contact: Maridith Geuder
Mississippi State and Starkville-area performers will combine instrumental and vocal talents Dec. 12 to present Handel's classic oratorio, "The Messiah."
The 30-member MSU/Starkville Symphony and the MSU Symphony Chorus will be featured during a 4 p.m. public performance at First United Methodist Church. Michael Brown, music education department head, will direct the orchestra, while his departmental colleague Linda Karen Smith will lead the chorus.
Though more than 100 voices already have joined the chorus, Brown said the Christmas program continues to seek voices. No audition is required, he added.
"We are inviting other singers from around the area to join us for a truly memorable performance of this holiday classic," Brown said.
Called "probably the single greatest musical work in history," "Messiah" was composed in 1741 by the German-turned-British composer George Frederick Handel (1685-1759).
The only requirement for chorus members will be attendance for at least two of four rehearsals. Also, because of a limited availability of musical scores, all singers who can are asked to bring personal copies of the musical score.
Rehearsals on Nov. 15, 22 and 29 will take place 7-8:30 p.m. in the music education department's choral hall on Morrill Road. A Dec. 6 practice session is scheduled at the church, as is the 1-3 p.m. dress rehearsal prior to the event on the 12th.
Four MSU students will be featured soloists. They include soprano Jessica West of Madison, alto Brook Herman of Starkville, tenor John Thomas of Booneville, and bass Scott Brinkley of Richmond, Va.
The church is located just west of the downtown area at the intersection of Lampkin and Meigs streets.
For more information, telephone the music education department at (662) 325-3070.