Defiance College to present 45th annual "Messiah" performance

December 8, 2016 

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The 45th annual Defiance College community performance of Handel’s "Messiah" will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Defiance St. John United Church of Christ.

The production highlights vocal soloists from the Young Artists program of the Toledo Opera and instrumentalists from the Toledo Symphony while the Choral Union performs choral favorites from G.F. Handel’s oratorio. Community musicians from Defiance and the surrounding areas, along with Defiance College students, comprise the DC Choral Union.

This performance features community instrumentalists and Faculty Emeritus Carolyn Small on harpsichord. The Choral Union is under the direction of Jim Watson, and will be accompanied by Hannah Watson.

Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The ushers will collect a free-will offering at the conclusion of the concert.

"Messiah" is one of the more popular pieces in the world’s choral literature. The work was composed in the summer of 1741 and first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742. Originally, it was intended to be performed in a secular theater during Lent, though it is now usually performed during Advent. "Messiah" is frequently presented in churches, as it will be for this event.

Exciting things are happening with the Defiance College Music Programs! For more information, contact Jim Watson, Director of Music Programs, at 419-783-2331 or visit the website at www.defiance.edu/music.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.