HILLSBORO, Kan. – Tabor College’s long-standing Christmas tradition of performing Handel’s “Messiah”—the 18th-century work by George Frideric Handel about the prophecy and life of Jesus Christ—will continue at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 with a performance by the Tabor College Oratorio Chorus and Community Orchestra.
The performance will be at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, in Hillsboro. Admission is free and open to the public.
Bradley Vogel, professor of choral music, will be conducting Handel’s “Messiah” for the18th time at Tabor.
“For many, it serves as the beginning of the Christmas holiday season,” Vogel said of the performance tradition that dates back more than a half century in Tabor’s history books.
Vogel noted that part of his enjoyment of conducting “Messiah” is the collaboration by so many performers on many different professional levels.
“It’s a focal point that brings current and past choir members together,” he said. “I very much enjoy maintaining that connection with alumni. I am honored they enjoy it enough to return and continue to sing.”
Featured as soloists are the following students: Casey Guthals, sophomore; Reuven Isaac, sophomore; Ruth Springer, sophomore; Michael Beye, junior; Heather Loewen, junior; Daniel Quiring, junior; Faith Tonne, junior; Olivia Kliewer, senior; Krista Neifert, senior.
Faculty members performing solos are Jen Stephenson, David Martens and Holly Swartzendruber.
Additionally, the stage will be graced by professional instrumentalists, many of whom return to perform with Tabor every December.
“The community orchestra is comprised primarily of members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Friends Community Orchestra and the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra,” Vogel said. “The majority of the musicians have played for Tabor for many years, which gives us a solid core.”
Handel’s “Messiah” premiered at noon on April 13, 1742 in the New Music Hall on Fishamble Street in Dublin, Ireland, as a benefit concert for local charities. Handel composed the entire piece in only 24 days.
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Tabor College is a four-year Christian liberal arts school located in Hillsboro, Kan., with a second campus, Tabor College in Wichita, located at 21st Street and Ridge Road in Wichita, Kan. Visit us online at tabor.edu.