Rehearsals begin for the 94th annual performance of Handel's Messiah

Published: September 13, 2023

Author: Terri Sunderland

GREENVILLE, Il. – Area singers, high school age and older, at any level of musical experience, are invited to join rehearsals beginning September 18 for the Greenville Choral Union and Orchestra’s 94th annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, a Bond County holiday tradition.

Weekly vocal rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 18, at Whitlock Music Center, located at the corner of College Avenue and Elm Street on the Greenville University campus. Singers unable to make the first rehearsal are still welcome to join. Don Frazure, GU’s Director of Choral Activities, will direct the performance and provide music and rehearsal tracks to help singers learn their parts at home between rehearsals.

The 2022 performance of Handel's Messiah at Whitlock Music Center on the campus of Greenville University.

In addition to Part 1 of Messiah, the Choral Union will perform the Magnificat. Don Frazure said, “I am very excited to include John Rutter’s Magnificat in this year’s 94th annual presentation. Rutter’s work is an energetic yet contemplative Latin setting of Mary’s Song of Praise from Luke 1:46-55 and will contrast nicely with Handel’s timeless Messiah.” The Choral Union will also sing Christmas Carols throughout the performance.

The performance will occur on Sunday, December 3, at 4 p.m. at Whitlock Music Center on the Greenville University campus. The rehearsal schedule is as follows:

Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30 Nov. 6, 13, 27

Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal: Thursday, November 30, 7-10p

Final Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, December 2, 1:30-4:30p

Greenville performance: Sunday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m. at Whitlock Music Center

Fairview Heights performance with the Christ Church Chamber Choir:

Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m.

(dress rehearsal) Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church.

The Greenville Choral Union is a collaboration between the Greenville University Choir and singers throughout the region.

For more information, contact Don Frazure at don.frazure@greenville.edu.

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Greenville University is an accredited Christian liberal arts university with more than 1,000 students, including traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the University is located in Greenville, IL., 45 miles east of St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.greenville.edu