November 14, 2012 (Jackson) - To start the Christmas season off with a celebration, students and faculty from Belhaven’s Choral and Vocal Arts will present the Handel’s timeless classic, Messiah, at Belhaven’s Center for the Arts Concert Hall, located at 835 Riverside Drive.
There will be two chances to see this classic performance:
Saturday, November 17, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 2, 2:30 p.m.
George Frideric Handel composed Messiah in 1741 and is considered by many the pinnacle of his work. This musical masterpiece is a comprehensive biblical portrait of the life and work of Jesus; his birth, death, resurrection, return and eternal reign.
This free performance will feature 80 voices from the Belhaven Concert Choir and Chorale, along with soloists and an orchestra.
Dr. Christopher Shelt, Professor of Voice, Church Music & Choral Activities, said, “The first concert I performed at Belhaven was a production of Handel’s Messiah, 14 years ago. Since then we have grown significantly to nearly 80 students lending their voices and instrumentation for what promises to best the best performance of Messiah in Belhaven musical history.
The musical styling for this concert is called concertato and is characterized by groups of instruments or voices mixed with large and small choir textures.
"Don’t miss this musical portrayal of the life and times of Jesus, the Messiah. We hope you will make time to enjoy and take to heart our enthusiastic proclamation of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords," adds Dr. Shelt.
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.