The Milligan College Concert Choir and Orchestra combine with several local church choirs and professional soloists to present two concert performances of "Handel's "Messiah': A Celebration of God's Amazing Grace" April 12 and 13.
The first performance is Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. The second performance is Sunday, April 13, at 3 p.m. Both performances are held in Milligan's Mary B. Martin Auditorium of Seeger Memorial Chapel, Milligan College, Tenn., and are open to the public. Tickets are on sale in the Milligan Bookstore.
This concert, which is the United States premiere of "Handel's "Messiah': A Celebration of God's Amazing Grace," intersperses dramatic readings from the sermons of John Newton with the Easter portions of Handel's "Messiah."
The original concept comes from a 2010 performance at the Gloucester Cathedral, given under the auspices of the John Newton Project. Newton, a contemporary of Handel, preached more than 50 sermons from every biblical text in Handel's "Messiah."
In addition, Marylynn Rouse, a British scholar with the John Newton Project, will be on hand to introduce each performance and to give several lectures in the week leading up to the concerts.
In addition to the Milligan College Concert Choir and Orchestra, the choirs of three Johnson City, Tenn., churches-Central Baptist Church, Grandview Christian Church and Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church-perform in the concert.
"One of the exciting aspects of this project is the opportunity to collaborate with so many musicians from our region," said Noah DeLong, assistant professor of music at Milligan. "After our first rehearsal with the combined chorus, I was struck not only by the wonderful sound that such a large group can make, but also by the moving spirit of Christian unity that was evident among these servants who faithfully participate in various music ministries."
To purchase tickets, visit the Milligan College Bookstore, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call 423-461-8733. Tickets cost $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door and $5 for students.
For more information, visit www.milligan.edu/messiah.
