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BYU-Idaho’s
performance of Handel’s Messiah has been a Christmas tradition in
Rexburg since anyone can remember.
But
this year’s performance will have a new twist as students and community
audience members actually get a chance to participate in the university’s
“sing-in.”
The
event, which requires a free ticket available from the BYU-Idaho Ticket
Office, will be performed Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Kirkham
Auditorium on the university campus. Although some music will be available
for use that evening, participants are encouraged to bring their own copies
of the score. For more information, call the ticket office at 496-2230.
“The
main thing that has initiated this change is the desire to allow the
community to participate in this tradition that is such an important part
of the Christmas season in Rexburg,” says Randall Kempton, conductor of the
University Choir.
Many
people have wanted to sing the Messiah with a full orchestra but
have never had that opportunity, he says.
Kempton
particularly invites members from church choirs – regardless of religious
denomination – to participate.
“Singing
those choruses, especially the Hallelujah chorus, is a thrilling
experience. This isn’t for the professional singers out there. This is for
anyone in the community who has wanted to sing and be part of this
experience.”
The
180-member University Choir, along with the 40-member Women’s Glee, the
90-member Symphony Orchestra and soloists from the music department, will
be involved in the performance, but the main emphasis is on audience
participation, Kempton says.
The
choir and audience will sing several choruses, including “And the Glory of the Lord,” “Glory to God,” “For
Unto Us a Child Is Born,” “Behold the Lamb of God,” “Surely He Hath Borne
Our Griefs,” “Hallelujah,” “Since By Man Came Death,” and “Worthy Is the
Lamb.”
A
rehearsal for those who would like to practice prior to the event will be
held Dec. 13 at 7:40 p.m. in the Rexburg Tabernacle Civic Center.
Although
in future years BYU-Idaho choirs and instrumental ensembles will perform
the Messiah as they have in the past, Kempton hopes the sing-in will
also become a regular part of the tradition.
“We
hope that this is part of the spirit of ‘acting’ instead of ‘being acted
upon,’ which is something the whole campus is trying to accomplish,” he says.
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