'Messiah' to be performed by University Singers

Ada — An East Central University musical tradition will be revived Tuesday and Wednesday when the University Singers and community members perform selections from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.”

Dr. Steven Walker, ECU professor of music, will conduct the “Messiah,” one of the most popular and respected works in Western choral literature, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. There is no admission charge.

“Messiah,” which was written for secular theater, is a presentation of Jesus’ life and its significance to the Christian faith. It is based on a libretto by Charles Jennens who used Bible verses for the text about Christ’s birth, crucifixion and resurrection and the events described in the Book of Revelation.

Händel set Jennens’ libretto to music in 24 days during the summer of 1741. He is rumored to have written the work while he was depressed and in debt.

A performance of the entire oratorio would take about three hours, Walker said. The ECU production will last about two hours.

“It is written in three parts,” he said. “We will sing something from every part. We are immensely proud to present the ‘Messiah.’”

The performance will include the tradition of standing during the most famous movement, the “Hallelujah” chorus. According to tradition, England’s King George II stood for unknown reasons as the chorus began, followed by the entire audience and chorus.

Organist Dr. Starla Hibler, ECU professor of music, will accompany the singers as well as perform the work’s overture and pastoral symphony.

The soloists all have ties to ECU. Dr. Melody Baggech, soprano, and Dr. Alan Marshall, tenor, are faculty members. Catie Caton, mezzo-soprano, is an ECU graduate and employee. Ada businessman Bruce Bonar, baritone, is an ECU graduate.

ECU’s long tradition with the “Messiah” dates back to Robert Kaebnick who was the choral director from 1957-1977. Under his direction, the University Chorus sang the “Messiah” almost annually. It was performed three times after Jeff Frederick took the post as choral director in 1978. It was last performed at ECU in 1998.

Students in the University Singers are Sarah Barnes, Phillip Berryhill, Kelsey Creed, Caitlin Gray, Danna Howry, Collin Low, Wyas Parker, Abigail Seal, Brittany Trail, Brooke Trail, Jennifer Whitley and Jessica Whitley, all of Ada; Carissa Rodgers, Stonewall; Kathryn Burns and Sara Morgan Coalgate; Felicia Hunter, Tupelo; Zachariah Champagne, Tishomingo; Joseph Terrell, Elmore City; and Chalie Smith, Maygan Howard, Laura Knight and Meleah Underwood, all of Stratford.

Others are Jesse Gordon and Kaleb Gordon, Seminole; Leah Creason, Beggs; Jamie Fulghum and Luke Smith, Holdenville; Jessy Beasley, Calvin; Jarrod Doyal, Ardmore; Lacee Elliot, Davis; Justin Cody, Tim Long and Tommy Long, Tecumseh; Sheena Stallings, Shawnee; Amber Keith, Ardmore; Brock Barrett and Gretchen Reiswig, Purcell; Angela Marshall and Jacob Stevens, McAlester; Joseph Mohr, Sayre; and Ryan Codopony and Jessie Jennings, Noble.

Also, Casey Taylor, Moore; Brooke Geisler, Norman; Jonothan Bomboy, Chris Geisler, Nick Geisler and Roy Harris, Little Axe; Jamie Cothren and Katelan Gilley, Wynnewood; Cody Rowe, Warr Acres; Aaron Sadler and Tyler Brewer, Oklahoma City; Lindsey Sargent, Edmond; Antonio Gloria, Mustang; Meg McConnell, Wellston; Michelle Williams, Eufaula; Nathaniel Sheeley, Owasso; Ashley Green, Okmulgee; Kristen Stecklein, Vinita; Christina Kushnick, Spiro; and Jim Gordon, Tunnel Hill, Ga.

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