[224] Celebrate spirit of the season with 30th anniversary MTSU concert of ‘Messiah’

MURFREESBORO — The Monday, Dec. 1, performance of Handel’s “Messiah” by the MTSU Concert Chorale and Middle Tennessee Choral Society marks the 30th anniversary for the group’s presentation of the beloved holiday oratorio.

“Messiah” will be presented beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at First United Methodist Church, located at 265 W. Thompson Lane.

Tickets for the production are $10 per person and available at the door. MTSU faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with valid IDs.

“We’ve presented ‘Messiah’ to the MTSU community and our neighbors for 30 years, and I believe that’s a grand testament to both our choral society and the community,” said Dr. Raphael Bundage, a professor of vocal performance in MTSU's School of Music and Choral Society music director/conductor.

“We’re deeply honored to perform it once again.”

The MTSU “Messiah” production once again will feature a professional orchestra and MTSU student and faculty soloists performing the Christmas portion of the work, which includes some of its most popular recitatives, arias and choruses.

The choruses to be performed include “And the glory of the Lord,” “And He shall purify,” “For unto us a child is born,” “Glory to God” and the ever-popular “Hallelujah” chorus.

The 30th anniversary guest soloists include:

·       soprano Alice Matlock Clements, an MTSU music alumna and local voice teacher.

·       tenor H. Stephen Smith, a voice professor in MTSU’s School of Music.

·       baritone John Kramar, a voice professor at East Carolina University School of Music in Greenville, North Carolina.

For more information on this and other concerts in the MTSU School of Music, call 615-898-2493 or visit http://www.mtsumusic.com and click on the "Concert Calendar" link.

For details on joining the Middle Tennessee Choral Society, contact Bundage at raphael.bundage@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2849.