“Messiah” practice sessions to begin

Information submitted

The tradition of a community Messiah performance at Christmas time will continue on Sunday, December 9, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. Sponsored by The Van Wert County Foundation in cooperation with the First U.M. Church, a performance of Handel’s Messiah has been held bi-annually since 1992. Previous performances date back to before World War II.

Paul Hoverman, senior choir director at First Church and coordinator of performing arts for the county foundation, is inviting interested singers to join the chorus.  Rehearsals will be Sundays, November 4, 18, 25, and December 2, from 3-5 p.m. and Saturday, December 8, from 10-11:30 a.m., all at First U.M. Church.

Chorus books are provided for those who do not own their own copy. It is not an auditioned chorus, but is open to those singers who are high school age and up and can commit to attend most of the rehearsals.

Soloists for this year’s Messiah are soprano Charlotte Detrick of New York City, alto Julie Fischer Szabo of Bluffton, tenor Jake Wilder of Van Wert and bass Timothy Bruno of Cincinnati. The performance will be accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra, organ, and harpsichord.

Interested singers should use the Central Avenue entrance to the church and be ready to rehearse by 3 p.m. Sunday, November 4.

Questions may be directed to Hoverman by email at phvwcf_music@hotmail.com or by calling 419.238.1743.