Handel's Messiah 2024: Light of Redemption

 84th Handel's Messiah Set for Dec. 8 and 9

by Sara Penny

Musical milestones set the Christmas spirit. The Orchestra of Southern Utah and Chorale present Cedar City's 84th performance of Handel's Messiah on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Theatre at 105 N. 100 East. To reserve seating go to the website myosu.org. This production is funded by the generous sponsorships of the Leavitt Group, Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation, and the State Bank of Southern Utah, and performed with the volunteer service of the orchestra and chorale. It is a gift to the community. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their seating in advance, as full houses are usual. 

Handel wrote the music for Messiah in 1741 with text organized from the King James Bible and Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens. The oratorio tells the story of Christ in three chapters, corresponding to His birth, death, and resurrection. The piece takes its audience on an emotional and spiritual journey, climaxing with the famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” and ending with a reverent and uplifting series of “amen.” The oratorio form was invented by Handel to provide employment to musicians and singers during Lent, when opera was not performed. By using scripture as text it was possible to perform during this religious time of contemplation before Easter. It premiered in Dublin in April of 1742.

The first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Cedar City was on New Year’s Day in 1925. Beginning in 1940, it became a seasonal tradition. Originally performed by Southern Utah University (called the Branch Agricultural College back then), the Orchestra of Southern Utah has since taken up the responsibility.

Cedar City has a long and vibrant history with the musical arts. From the earliest Mormon pioneers who used fiddle music and dancing to keep warm through the cold winters, to the Cedar City Band who would perform in the City Park, and later as an official military unit with the US Army, the musical residents of Cedar City have consistently come together to support their community. Directed by ambitious and dedicated leaders such as Orien Dalley, Roy L. Halversen, June Thorley, and Hal Campbell, the orchestral scene grew to proportions unheard of for a small town. Currently there are orchestras in the public schools as well as at the university.

Jackie Riddle-Jackson will be directing and conducting this year’s performances with assistance from Alex Byers. Vocal soloists are chosen by audition. Soloists this year are Wes Buckwalter, Joseph Morrow, Krystal Wallis, Beatrice Gerfin, Kristin Briggs, Teresa Hardy, Nitza Brooks, Lehi Moran, Zachary Smith, Jessie Byers, Alex Byers, Stephanie Wood, Shelly Forsman, and Dee Holt. The famous trumpet solo for “The Trumpet Will Sound” will be performed by Will Zeller.

Lobby music before the performance will be Southern Utah Handbell Choir on Sunday and The Accidental 5 Brass Quintet on Monday.

Tickets may be reserved at myosu.org. The limit per person is six tickets. Only request those you will use.

Please be seated by 7:15, at which time empty seats will be released. Children over 6 with adult supervision are welcome, but no babies please, as the performance is recorded.

More information: Amy Gold, OSU Manager, at 435-233-8185 or myosumanager@gmail.com

(Poster design by Rollan Fell)

Rock Gold 2 Concert Photos and Reactions

Carylee Zwang, Music Director and Conductor

“I’d like to give a special thanks to Cedar and the surrounding communities for their incredible support of our Rock Gold concerts. We LOVE creating shows that you love to attend.  I personally want to spotlight the incredible amount of talent that I shared the stage with in Thursday’s performance. We are surrounded by a community of artists that are so amazing! Thank you for sharing your talents with us. We hope to see you all out at the next concert!”

Final Bows

"Epic" Rock Gold 2 Concert

by Sara Penny

"It was a feast for the ears and eyes," said David Jordan about the recent Orchestra of Southern Utah Concert. Lights, fog, choir, full symphony orchestra, and dancers added layers of both musical and visual energy. Carylee Zwang conducted the concert and was hailed as "epic" and "hands down the COOLEST" by concertgoers.

Jordan is the OSU Assistant Conductor and he reported that several of his middle school band students attended.  "They were so excited to tell me at school today that they saw me performing in the concert! They all loved it! They said it was the best concert ever!" said Jordan. "The vocalists were all great and fun! I especially liked Mark McGahan's voice on Bohemian Rhapsody," he said.

Guest musicians included ten vocalists as well as a rock band. Lori Ransom commented on Stan Szczesny's guitar solos that he "rocked the house." 

Having the lighting effects and fog added to the party atmosphere. Nine community dancers added even more exuberance to the popular music by Dolly Parton, ABBA, and Metallica. Torri Adams and Shellee Younkin choreographed the dances.

The Southern Utah University Concert Choir plus members of Opus and Luminosa were directed by Dr. Andrew Briggs. The 75 voices also added rock worthy excitement to add to the atmosphere. 

Briggs also served as one of the narrators for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" with Savannah Billeter.  The fiddle soloist was Lindsay Szczesny and as Jordan said, "I was blown away with her fiddle solo and the audience really got into it." This is a piece that has been requested for years so OSU was pleased to finally perform it.

The Heritage Center staff was fully on board with all of the extra logistical work involved with multiple vocalists. Several monitors had to be used so the conductor and soloists could coordinate the intricate timing and entrances. The orchestra was instructed to follow "Bob", Zwang's baton, which paid off on several tricky tempo changes.

A big part of an exciting performance is the reaction of the audience.  The feedback propels the musicians and at this concert the sold out audience was extremely enthusiastic.  "We so appreciate the phenomenal support of the community for our orchestra," said Amy Gold, OSU manager. 

Jane Ricigliano Tab-Fell summed up the evening with her comment that the concert was "outstanding, not a boring moment the whole evening. Carylee was superb and her energy is unbelievable! Great choice of music and performers." See the previous blog post for the program as well as the soloist photos and bios. 

Rock Gold Volume 2 Program

 

Bios easier to read at  Guest photos and bios below the article on this link

Messiah tickets available Nov. 15 at myosu.org

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