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Morton Community Chorus & Orchestra
Handel's Messiah

Picture

The Morton Community Chorus, of Morton, IL, has been performing Handel's Messiah annually for many, many years.  Although, "Morton" is in the name, it is perhaps a misnomer, as people from all over Central Illinois regularly participate in the choir and orchestra. 

Messiah was performed Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Grace Church in Morton, IL.  See a few pictures and videos of our 2015 performance here.  The date for our 2016 performance has not yet been announced.  Concerts are free and open to the public.  Although Grace Church graciously allows us to use their beautiful sanctuary, Messiah is a community event, performed by the Morton Community Choir and Orchestra. 

2015 Media Links:
WBNH FM Radio
produced a spot which can be listened to here.  A copy of our 2015 poster/postcard can be seen here.
WCBU FM Peoria Public Radio and Arts Partners of Central Illinois radio program "Out And About" interview with Phil Witzig regarding Messiah 2015 here.



Soloists for 2015:

Larissa Steffen, Soprano – Larissa studied music education at Illinois Wesleyan with voice as her primary instrument.  Dr. Sammy Scifres was her vocal instructor.  Larissa soloed in Messiah 2013.   

Dr. Daniel Schuetz, Countertenor – Daniel teaches voice at Illinois State University, following in the footsteps of his father, Peter.  This is the first year we’ve had a countertenor and I’m super excited to be making music with such a beautiful, yet powerful voice, and a friend besides. 

Mike Dvorsky, Tenor – Mike works at Caterpillar as an engineer, and music is definite passion of his.  He is a regular soloist and tenor section leader for the Peoria Area Civic Chorale, and has been our tenor soloist for the past 3 years.  Mike studies voice with Shirley Salazar, a well-known vocal coach in our area, and has a very natural and flexible tenor voice which works so well with the Baroque rep. 

David Govertsen, Bass – David sang the Bass solos in the Washington, Illinois tornado victim Benefit Messiah concert put on by the Peoria Symphony a couple years ago.  David has sung numerous roles with the Chicago Lyric Opera, and made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2011 as the Herald in Otello with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti.  He is an alumnus of both the Santa Fe Opera and Central City Opera apprentice programs and holds degrees from Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University and the College of DuPage.  

Another person I would like to mention is Dr. John Orfe, of Bradley University, who joined us for the very first time this year at the organ.  A talented musician and dedicated composer, Dr. Orfe came to Bradley University in 2008, where he teaches music.  He is also extremely involved in the music performance community, actively performing with several music ensembles, including a new music ensemble “Alarm Will Sound” which he founded. Dr. Orfe plans to be back with us again in 2016.  Come early to get good seats and to listen to his outstanding prelude!

Program for 2015:

Nmbr 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
14.5
15
16
17
18
19
20
20.5
22
23
24
25
26
29
30
31
33
38
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
53




Name
Overture
Comfort Ye My People
Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
And the Glory of the Lord
Thus Saith the Lord
But Who May Abide
And He Shall Purify
Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
The People That Walked in Darkness
For Unto Us a Child Is Born
Pastoral Symphony
There Were Shepherds Abiding
And Lo, The Angel of the Lord
And the Angel Said Unto Them
And Suddenly There Was
Glory to God
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion
Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind Be Opened
He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd
Come Unto Him
Behold the Lamb of God
He Was Despised
Surely He Hath Born Our Griefs
And With His Stripes We Are Healed
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living
Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
How Beautiful Are the Feet
Why Do the Nations
Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Thou Shalt Break Them
Hallelujah
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Since By Man Came Death
Behold, I Tell You a Mystery
The Trumpet Shall Sound
Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain/Amen
Performed By
Orchestra
Mike Dvorsky
Mike Dvorsky
Chorus
David Govertsen
Daniel Schuetz
Chorus
Daniel Schuetz
Daniel Schuetz
David Govertsen
David Govertsen
Chorus
Orchestra
Larissa Steffen
Larissa Steffen
Larissa Steffen
Larissa Steffen
Chorus
Larissa Steffen
Daniel Schuetz
Daniel Schuetz
Larissa Steffen
Chorus
Daniel Schuetz
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Mike Dvorsky
Mike Dvorsky
Larissa Steffen
Chorus
Larissa Steffen
David Govertsen
Chorus
Mike Dvorsky
Mike Dvorsky
Chorus
Larissa Steffen
Chorus
David Govertsen
David Govertsen
Chorus
  • Home
  • Vocal Tips
  • Community Chorus
    • Plans for 2023
    • Learn the Music
    • Other Links & Resources
    • Memories of 2015
    • Memories of 2016
    • Memories of 2017
    • Memories of 2018
    • Memories of 2019
    • Memories of 2021
    • Memories of 2022
  • Benefit Choir
    • O For a Thousand Tongues
    • Agnus Dei
    • Jesus Saves
    • Just As I Am/I Come Broken
    • Loud Enough to Wake the Dead
    • Every Hour of the Day
    • Shine On Us
    • Joy In the Morning
    • Is He Worthy?