Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Following its successful introduction last year, a Mississippi State University-Starkville community musical collaboration will return in December.
Area singers are being invited to join the Starkville Symphony and the Starkville Symphony Chorus in preparing for a Dec. 11 performance of Handel's "Messiah."
The two-performance production will be directed by Michael R. Brown, the MSU music education department head who also leads the Starkville Symphony.
Rehearsals will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. on successive Mondays beginning Nov. 28 and culminating with a 1-3 p.m. dress rehearsal the day of the event. The concert will be offered at 4 and 6 p.m. at Starkville's First United Methodist Church.
"Last year's program was so successful that 100 people were turned away for lack of seats, so we hope to accommodate local interest by offering two performances," Brown said.
While the program is free, Brown said donations will be accepted for support of the all-volunteer symphony.
"Messiah" performers are being asked to provide their own scores for the rehearsal sessions. Those without should contact Brown in advance to borrow a copy.
"We hope that singers will be able to participate in all three rehearsals, but we do ask that their schedules allow them to attend at least one rehearsal and the dress rehearsal," Brown said.
Choral selections will include "And the Glory," "Glory to God," "O, Thou That Tellest," "For Unto Us," and "Hallelujah!" The program also will include an arrangement of "Adeste Fideles" for choir, congregation, orchestra, organ, and handbells.
Soloists for the musical event will include Bruce Lesley, MSU's director of choral activities, and Eleanor McClellan, a music education department lecturer. Shelly Buchanan, a doctoral student at Louisiana State University, also will be featured.
Other performers will include MSU trumpet instructor Michael Huff and Virginia Huff, who will join with the orchestra for the Manfredini Double Trumpet Concerto.
For more information, telephone Brown at 662-325-3070.