Handel’s Messiah begins anew

Practices for the annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah will begin for instrumentalists on October 20 at 6 p.m. at the Monticello High School band room. 

Chorus practices will begin on November 3 at 6 p.m. at the Monticello North Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Practices will alternate between Blanding and Monticello, with chorus practice at the Blanding Stake Center and Monticello at the North Chapel, and instrumental practices at the San Juan and Monticello high school band rooms, always on Sunday evenings.  

Jake Palmer, the band director at Monticello High School, is excited to be the new director for Messiah!  He replaces the late Wayne Erickson.

The only performance of Messiah is December 15 at the Blanding Stake Center, a venue more suited to large numbers of performers and with a pipe organ.

Auditions for male vocal solos are November 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Monticello North Chapel.  Female soloists will audition on November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Blanding Stake Center.  

Contact section leaders to arrange an audition time.  They are Lorelei Andrews (sopranos) at 435-459-0652, Beverly Felstad  (altos) at 435-979-6246, Richard Ward (tenors) at 435-979-2742, and Craig Crippen (bass) at 801-391-8523.

The Concert Master is Patricia Kudzia, professional cellist. She can be reached at celm@earthlink.net or 435-686-9991.

Orchestra section leaders are Kristan Smith (violins), Sue Anderson (flutes), Patsy Kudzia (cellos), Jim Muhlestein (trumpets), Ivy Fellmeth (trombones), Alisa Black (horns), and Devin Hatch (timpani).

The Messiah Board of Directors extends a warm invitation to all experienced vocalists and instrumentalists in local communities to practice and perform this difficult and inspiring work.  They state that Jake Palmer is an excellent director hope for a big turnout of singers and orchestra members.  

The orchestra will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on October 20 and November 3 in Monticello, and on October 27 and November 10 in Blanding.

Vocal sectionals are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on November 3 in Monticello and November 10 in Monticello.

The full orchestra and chorus will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 17 in Monticello and November 24 in Blanding.

Full run throughs are in Blanding from 7:15 to 9 p.m. on December 1 and 8.

For more information, call Carl Hunt at 435-459-3311 or Jody Fellmeth at 435-459-9764.