The Big Bend Chamber Music Society presents a Messiah-Sing-along and an organ concert with Sul Ross Music Faculty member Lana Potts at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 5 at St. James Episcopal Church in Alpine.
The program opens with Ms. Potts performing a selection of variations on Gregorian chants for the Advent season. These include works by twentieth century composers George Oldroyd, Lani Smith and Gordon Young, featuring Oldroyd’s Verbum Supernum prodiens, Smith’s setting of Veni Emmanual and Young’s composition Toccata on Picardy.
Traditional Christmas carols are the basis for variations by other twentieth century composers: Gregg Sewell’s setting of Es Ist Ein Ros from an original 16th century tune and John M. Rasley’s setting of Gustov Holst’s music to In the Bleak Midwinter.
The second part of the program features two of Ms. Potts Sul Ross students, Marcelino Velazquez, tenor and Ashley Jane Page, mezzo-soprano and Johanna Miller, soprano. All three singers have recently performed in Theatre of the Big Bend summer musicals.
Following the overture of George Frideric Handel’s best known oratorio, the singers will perform a selection of solos and duets, culminating in the singers and audience joining in singing the Hallelujah Chorus to end the program. Audience members are invited to bring their copies of Messiah music, although Ms. Potts will have music available for audience use.
Messiah was originally an Easter piece, debuting in Dublin in April of 1742, but over time it has become a fixture of the Christmas season when performances of the work as well as sales of CD’s and down loads is an expected part of the holiday.
A reception with the artists will take place after the performance. The program is free and is part of the on-going First Friday Concert series at St. James, which is located at Ave. A and N. 6th St. in Alpine.
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