MVNU to present 58th annual Handel’s Messiah

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University is proud to announce its 58th annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. in the R.R. Hodges Chapel-Auditorium and Fine Arts Center. The concert will feature the 140-voice MVNU Choral Union, which brings together MVNU’s combined choirs, faculty, staff, alumni and community singers, along with a chamber orchestra. Dr. Robert Tocheff, a 1972 MVNU alumnus and Professor Emeritus of Music, will conduct the performance for the 36th year.

This year’s performance features soloists soprano Kendra Gibbs ’12, data specialist for Metro Nashville Schools; mezzo-soprano Carolyn Redman ’89, voice faculty at Denison University; and tenor Tyler Skidmore ’04, music specialist with the Medina City School District. David Templeton returns for his 29th year as bass soloist. He serves as Associate Professor of Voice and Head of the Voice Area at The College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. John Packard, MVNU Music Program Director, and Dr. Isaac Winland, worship director at Ravenna First Church of God and MVNU adjunct professor, will assist on trumpet. Jennifer Bell returns as harpsichordist, and Amy Hutchins serves as concertmaster.

Composed in just over three weeks in the late summer of 1741, Messiah has become one of the most frequently performed choral works in the world. It premiered on April 13, 1742, at the Fishamble Street Music Hall in Dublin, Ireland.

Drawn entirely from scripture, the oratorio unfolds in three parts: the prophecy and the coming of the Messiah, his suffering and sacrifice, and the promise of redemption and eternal life. Audiences will hear favorites including the tenor aria “Comfort Ye,” the soprano aria “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” and, of course, the “Hallelujah” Chorus. Tradition holds that the audience rises for this chorus, a custom said to date to an early London performance attended by King George II.

“One of the many highlights is when, midway through the “Hallelujah” Chorus, I turn to conduct the audience and experience this unforgettable expression of worship of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” Dr. Tocheff said. “Messiah endures because it speaks to people across generations, whether they have heard it before or not. Hearing it live, with the full power of the chorus and orchestra, is an experience we want to share with our entire community.”

Tickets are $10 per person. Children through high school age are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at mvnu.edu/messiah.

MVNU is seeking alumni and business sponsors to help sustain the Messiah tradition and support the Music Department. To give, visit mvnu.edu/give-music, or contact Dr. John Packard at John.Packard@mvnu.edu or Dr. Tocheff at Bob.Tocheff@mvnu.edu for sponsorship information.