[188] Hallelujah! Handel's 'Messiah' Marks 27th Year at MTSU School of Music

FOR RELEASE: Nov. 23, 2011
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493 or tmusselm@mtsu.edu

Hallelujah! Handel’s ‘Messiah’ marks 27th year at MTSU School of Music

MURFREESBORO—The MTSU Concert Chorale and Middle Tennessee Chorale Society will partner once again to create the memorable music of Handel's “Messiah” for the community Dec. 4 and 5.

Concerts are scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU’s Wright Music Building. The event is part of the University’s Centennial Celebration.

In addition to “Messiah,” the concert will feature the MTSU Women's Chorale performing a portion of Benjamin Britten's “Ceremony of Carols.”

"This is my 27th year of conducting the ‘Messiah’ for MTSU and the Rutherford County area," says Dr. Raphael Bundage, director of choral studies at MTSU and conductor for the Middle Tennessee Choral Society. "I want to particularly thank the MTSU Choral Society for their annual support of this event over the last 27 years."

Bundage adds that the choral groups, which number about 150 members, will perform “the Christmas portion of the ‘Messiah,’” which makes the work last about an hour.

Advanced vocal majors from MTSU will serve as soloists, the director says, noting that there are approximately 20 soloists over the two nights of performances.

The “Messiah” chamber orchestra comprises professional musicians from the Nashville area and MTSU faculty members Angela Tipps on organ and Pat Ward on harpsichord.

Tickets for each of the Dec. 4 and 5 performances are $10 for general admission and $5 for non-MTSU students. MTSU faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with valid IDs, and senior citizens can receive discounted prices. Tickets will be available at the door one hour before each performance.

For more MTSU School of Music concert information, call 615-898-2493 or visit www.mtsumusic.com and click on the "Concert Calendar" link.


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The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU celebrates its 100th anniversary, Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"!

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