Free Messiah Concert: "Listen to my Heart"

Performance in the old auditorium above the Iron County School District offices, 1999. Gerard Yun conducting.

(Photo from late 1990's performance of Handel's Messiah in Cedar City, David Cole conducting.)

Handel’s Messiah: It stirs the heart and enlivens the mind with memories of Christmases gone before.  The Orchestra of Southern Utah and OSU Chorale invite you to listen and remember as they perform Cedar City’s 73^th concert of Handel’s Messiah.

            The meaningful nature of the Messiah and this year’s theme Listen to my Heart inspired OSU Chorale Director Adrianne Tawa as she chose the performance’s repritoire.  “The poetic idea I used as the jumping off spot this year is ‘being broken open’...We all can claim dwelling in darkness from time to time and we all need to be broken open like a potter's vessel in order to receive great light.   Open, vulnerable hearts, both receiving and giving…"

 This inspiring concert is held Sunday, December 8^th and Monday, December 9^th at 7:30 pm held in the Heritage Center.  This concert is presented FREE to the public thanks to the generous sponsorships of State Bank of Southern Utah and the Leavitt Group. 

Due to the popularity of this holiday tradition, tickets are required.  OSU and the Heritage Center strongly recommend obtaining your free tickets in advance.  Tickets are available at the Heritage Center Box Office, located at 105 North 100 East in Cedar City. 

The Messiah Concert is conducted by OSU Conductor and Music Director Dr. Xun Sun.  Vocal soloists include Jordan Sanders, Ami Gent, Ashley Rowland, Taliah Byers, Jan Pressgrove, Annie Powell, Dr. Lawrence Johnson, Janese Shaw, and Jacob Pohlsander.  Dr. Adam Lambert is the featured trumpet soloist in the rousing "And the Trumpet Shall Sound".

The Orchestra is hosting a food drive in conjunction with the Messiah Concerts.  All food will be donated to the Iron County Care & Share.  “Too many in Iron County are trying to get by on too little,” stated OSU President Harold Shirley.  “You can help stock our Care and Share Food Bank by bringing a canned good (or two) to this year’s Messiah performance.”

The Messiah Concert is performed Sunday, December 8^th and Monday, December 9^th.  Doors open at 6:45 pm.  OSU and the Heritage Center ask that all ticket holders be seated no later that 7:15 pm.  Open seats will be released at that time to those without tickets on a first come first seat basis.

OSU welcomes all children over the age of six with adult supervision.  OSU requests that babies and children less than six years old not attend as the concerts are recorded.

For more information, please visit www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org or call the Heritage Center Box Office at 435-865-2882.

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Article by Laurel Kay Dodgion, OSU Publicity Director

More information  

Heritage Center Box Office:  435-865-2882
Office open 9 to 5, 
located at southwest corner of building near the parking garage

OSU: 435-586-2286