Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 8

DAY 8:

Handel's Messiah

Composer: George Frederick Handel

Born: Germany, 1685

Period: Baroque Era

Well-known compositions: Messiah, Water Music, Royal Fireworks

Do you know why everyone stands during the Hallelujah Chorus? 

"Legend has it that in 1743, the British monarch King George II was so moved by Handel's Hallelujah Chorus that he stood out of respect for the “Lord of Lords,” the only authority above his own. When the king stands, everybody stands. And since then everyone has followed suit."

Can you name any pieces in the Suzuki repertoire by G.F. Handel?

75th Cedar City Performance of 

Handel’s "Messiah"

By Kristin Beauchamp-Butt

The Orchestra of Southern Utah invites you to join them as they usher in the Christmas season with their 75th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. Come celebrate the diamond anniversary of this Cedar City tradition, completely free of charge!

Performances will be on December 13th and 14th. The doors will open both evenings at 6:45, and the audience is asked to be seated by 7:15, at which time empty seats will be released to those waiting. The performance will begin at 7:30.

This production is funded by the generous sponsorships of State Bank of Southern Utah and the Leavitt Group, and performed with the volunteer service of the orchestra and choir. As a result, admission is free! Tickets are required and are available at the Heritage Center box office—105 North 100 East in Cedar City during regular business hours. Attendees are encouraged to collect their tickets in advance, as a full house is expected for both performances. Tickets are already gone for Sunday, but we always have a few people who have taken tickets and can't come, so please come even if you don't have a ticket and we will fill every seat.

Handel’s Messiah was written in 1741 and tells the story of the 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 first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Cedar City was on New Year’s Day in 1925. Beginning in 1940, it became a winter 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 to keep warm throughout 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 charitable leaders (such as Orien Dalley, who donated almost 100 string instruments to SUU as he retired, or the famous and benevolent Roy L. Halversen), the orchestral scene grew to proportions unheard of considering the small area. This growth culminated in the construction of the Heritage Center, which has provided a permanent home for the Orchestra of Southern Utah as well as a venue for even more areas of art to flourish.

Jackie Riddle-Jackson will be directing and conducting this year’s performances. A panel of judges including Harold Shirley (President of the Orchestra of Southern Utah), Ron Cardon (community member and Southern Utah University Alumnus), Mark Ganowsky (Cedar High School Chorale Director), and Carol Ann Modesitt (Professor of Voice at Southern Utah University) evaluated the auditions. After careful deliberation, the panel decided that the soloists for this year’s Messiah will include: Alex Byers, Taliah Byers, Taryn Thomas, Terri Metcalf-Peterson, Glen Reber, Corlissa Jensen, Shannon Birch, Tyler Melling, Brandi Hall, Leslie Perkins, and Taylor Rowley. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds encompassing the Cedar City community, Southern Utah University, and Dixie State University. The famous trumpet solo for “The Trumpet Will Sound” will be performed by Adam Lambert on the Sunday performance, and Austin Clark for the Monday performance.

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. Sometimes people take tickets and then are unable to use them.  If you have tickets to return please return as soon as possible.  Even if we run out of tickets please come and we will do everything possible to have you seated.

Further information:  Emily Hepworth, OSU Manager, 435-233-8213.