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Easter 'Messiah' performance Sunday at First Baptist
By Betse Esparza / Associate Publisher
The Big Bend Chorus will perform parts two and three of Handel's "The Messiah" at 3 p.m. this Sunday at First Baptist Church.
Part one of the oratorio was offered just before Christmas last year.
"Basically, the membership has been the same since the Christmas presentation, with the exception of several new voices," said Dr. Dan Logan, one of the organizers.
Logan, who grew up in Alpine, used to sing in a choir in Dallas. When he returned in 1998, he hoped to continue his talent.
In the fall of 2004, he approached Ron Boswell, executive director of the Asher "CIPP" Center of spiritual music, about the possibility of bringing the "The Messiah" to Alpine.
"He said, 'Why don't you direct it?'" said Logan. "I said I would love it."
Logan secured a conductor, John Carnagey, and an organist, Ellen Boyd, both of Alpine, almost immediately. He then approached as many local pastors as he could find about including their choirs, and announced the beginning of rehearsals in the newspapers and on the radio.
"Thirty-five to 40 people came to that first practice," he said. "We ended up with close to 50 at the Christmas performance."
In December, the chorus and soloists sang about the birth of Christ.
This Sunday, they'll celebrate His resurrection after the crucifixion.
Rehearsal for this performance began the second week of January, and has continued every Thursday since then.
This performance is 15 to 30 minutes longer than the first, and the audience is invited to sing the "Hallelujah" chorus with the choir.
Members include Marina Azar, Charles, Ellen, Jonathan and Wayne Baize, Roland Baylor, Sandy Breckenridge, Carol Crook, Johann Curtin, Donna Davis, J. Davis, Sam Davis, Davis Manning, Wanda Harris, Margaret Hughes, Oliver Hughes, Cornelia Langridge, Maria Jose Leyva, Lynn Loomis, Bonnie McNamara, Steve Matteson, Bennye Meredith, Carolyn Milder, Denice Morrison, Jerry Morrison, Audrey Painter, Don Slocomb, Janith Stephenson, Carol Sternes, Jo Tucker, Dan and Leslie Vrudny and Ed Waddill.
Soloists are Leah Carnagey, Madelyn Farmer, Penny Hardaway, Logan, Norman Porter, Jane Ross, Cathi Travis and Rogelio Zubia.
"The Messiah," Handel's most successful and best-know oratorio, was composed in 1741 in 24 days, from Aug. 22 to Sept. 14. It was first performed at a concert given for charitable purposes at Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742. Handel conducted the performance himself.
"This is kind of a joyful time," said Logan. Titles of the chorus include "We Shall Be Changed" and "The Trumpet Shall Sound."
First Baptist Church is located on Sul Ross Ave. across the street from Baeza's Thriftway.
Comments? E-mail editor@alpineavalanche.com
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