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 will performed Sunday, November 20, 2016 at Grace Church in Morton, IL. Although Grace Church graciously allows us to use their beautiful sanctuary, Messiah is a community event, performed by the Morton Community Choir and Orchestra. A free-will offering will be taken during the Pastoral Symphony. See a few pictures from last year's performance here.
Listen to the wonderful radio spot produced and played on WBNH Radio here! Thank you, Jim Huber, Daniel Cushman and WBNH!
WCBU FM Peoria Public Radio and Arts Partners of Central Illinois radio program "Out And About" interviewed Phil Witzig regarding Messiah 2015. Containing soloist information and dates about last year's performance, it nonetheless has some interesting dialog regarding the production. Listen here.
2016 Soloists:
Natalie Sherer Schamp, Soprano – Natalie completed her undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Wheaton College, and graduated with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and a Collaborative Piano Cognate from Roosevelt University. Natalie is pursuing performance opportunities as a solo and collaborative pianist and soprano. Natalie was a soloist with us in 2014 and we are delighted to have her return!
Debra Austin, Alto – Debra graduated from Bradley University with a music education degree, and later from Northwestern with a Masters in vocal performance. Debra has sung professionally all over the United States, including with the Chicago Symphony under the direction of Sir George Solti. She currently holds the position of Instructional Assistant Professor of Voice at Illinois State University.
Terry Chasteen, Tenor – Terry is a Professor of Music in Voice at Western Illinois University. He holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education from West Virginia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. Terry’s career as an operatic and concert soloist has taken him throughout the United States and to Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.
John Koch, Bass – John is Vocal Arts Coordinator and has been teaching voice and vocal pedagogy at Illinois State University for over 20 years. He has performed over 75 operatic and oratorio roles internationally and was twice a National Finalist of the Metropolitan Council Auditions. He recently sang the baritone solo role in Carmina Burana with the Heartland Festival Orchestra.
Dr. John Orfe, 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. Come early to get good seats and to listen to his outstanding prelude!
Debra Austin, Alto – Debra graduated from Bradley University with a music education degree, and later from Northwestern with a Masters in vocal performance. Debra has sung professionally all over the United States, including with the Chicago Symphony under the direction of Sir George Solti. She currently holds the position of Instructional Assistant Professor of Voice at Illinois State University.
Terry Chasteen, Tenor – Terry is a Professor of Music in Voice at Western Illinois University. He holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education from West Virginia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. Terry’s career as an operatic and concert soloist has taken him throughout the United States and to Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.
John Koch, Bass – John is Vocal Arts Coordinator and has been teaching voice and vocal pedagogy at Illinois State University for over 20 years. He has performed over 75 operatic and oratorio roles internationally and was twice a National Finalist of the Metropolitan Council Auditions. He recently sang the baritone solo role in Carmina Burana with the Heartland Festival Orchestra.
Dr. John Orfe, 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. Come early to get good seats and to listen to his outstanding prelude!
Call for Singers!
Come sing in our chorus! Rehearsals for Choir will be as follows:
- Seven “regular rehearsals” Monday nights October 3 – November 14 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra/Choir, Saturday, November 19 from 9:30 – noon
- Rehearsals and performance are at Grace Church, Morton
- Performance Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm
Program for 2016:
|
Nmbr
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9.5 10 11 12 13 14 14.5 15 16 17 18 19 20 20.5 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 33 37 38 40 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 - Solo O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings - Chorus 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 The Lord Gave the Word How Beautiful Are the Feet Why Do the Nations 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 |
Performed By
Orchestra Terry Chasteen Terry Chasteen Chorus John Koch John Koch Chorus Debra Austin Debra Austin Chorus John Koch John Koch Chorus Orchestra Natalie Sherer Natalie Sherer Natalie Sherer Natalie Sherer Chorus Natalie Sherer Debra Austin Debra Austin Natalie Sherer Chorus Debra Austin Chorus Chorus Chorus Terry Chasteen Terry Chasteen Terry Chasteen Chorus Chorus Natalie Sherer John Koch Terry Chasteen Terry Chasteen Chorus Natalie Sherer Chorus John Koch John Koch Chorus |