November 15, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

University choirs and community chorus to present Handel's 'Messiah'

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University combined choirs, Chamber Orchestra and Nacogdoches Community Chorus will present Georg Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in W. M. Turner Auditorium.

Handel's three-part oratorio, or unstaged opera, about the life of the messiah, was first performed in 1742. It has become the most well known and well loved of all choral masterworks, according to Tim King, SFA professor of music who will direct the work.

In keeping with the Nacogdoches tradition, the combined choirs and orchestra will perform Part 1 of "Messiah," popularly known as "the Christmas portion" and the famous "Hallelujah Chorus."

The following members of the SFA vocal faculty will serve as soloists: Debbie Berry, soprano; Deborah Dalton, alto; Nita Hudson, alto; Richard Berry, tenor; and Scott LaGraff, bass.

The concert will open with the Chamber Orchestra performing "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" by J.S. Bach, featuring SFA faculty soloists Christina Guenther-Scott on flute, Jennifer Dalmas on violin and Ron Petti on harpsichord.

The evening's program also includes a carol sing-along.

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music and is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students and children.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.