Furman Music Department gathers its forces to present Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 2

The soloists for the Messiah concert are (from left) Lauren Scarborough, Fran Cloke, Molly Abbott, Alex Carrico, Bryce McClendon, Katherine Hay, Caleb Harper, Joya Cooley, Corey Hart, Roddey Smith, Grace Bernardo and Elizabeth Beeson.

NOVEMBER 22, 2011
by Tina Underwood, Media Relations

GREENVILLE, S.C.—The Furman University Department of Music will present Handel’s Messiah for its annual Christmas Oratorio Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in McAlister Auditorium.

William Thomas will conduct the Furman Singers, Chorales and Symphony Orchestra and a host of student soloists in the university’s yearly prelude concert to the Christmas season.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students for this Sound Quality Series concert. Seating is general admission.

Presented annually by the music department, the Christmas Oratorio concert is Furman’s oldest musical tradition. Performances of Messiah began in 1924 when the Glee Club of the Greenville Woman’s College, which later merged with Furman, joined First Baptist Church of Greenville to present a concert. The university performed the concert on an annual basis for many years after that, and since the early 1970s, has presented Messiah every other year, alternating with other major works.

This year’s performance consists of parts One and Two of the monumental three-movement work. Containing beloved and familiar choruses and solos on themes of prophecy, fulfillment and proclamation, and concluding with the unmistakable “Hallelujah” chorus, the program is filled with dramatic musical contrast and stunning choral and orchestral sonorities.

The evening will feature 12 student vocalists in solo roles including mezzo-soprano Molly Abbott of Odenton, Md.; mezzo-soprano Grace Bernardo of Newberry, S.C.; soprano Elizabeth Beeson of Greenville, S.C.; soprano Alexandria Carrico of Hickory, N.C.; soprano Fran Cloke of Winter Park, Fla.; mezzo-soprano Joya Cooley of Irmo, S.C.; tenor Corey Hart of Arden, N.C.; soprano Katherine Hay of Lexington, Ky.; baritone Caleb Hopkins of Greenwood, S.C.; tenor Bryce McClendon of Greer, S.C.; mezzo-soprano Lauren Scarborough of Gastonia, N.C.; and baritone Roddey Smith of Columbia, S.C.

For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, contact the Furman Music Department at 864-294-2086.