After the success of last year’s performance, it appears Handel’s “Messiah” will become a holiday tradition in Borderland.
And those interested in taking part are urged to come out for rehearsals which start this week.
This year’s production is slated to take the stage Nov. 30 at the Backus Auditorium in International Falls and again Dec. 1 at Lake of the Woods High School Auditorium in Baudette.
“Last year, we had a choir of 100 people and it was wonderful,” said Donna Frederickson, who will be the director again this year. “It is such a fun piece of music. It has hard bits, too, but it’s fun.”
Rehearsals for the choir portion of “Messiah” will begin this Sunday (Sept. 29) at 4:30 p.m. at the Faith United Church, which is located at 1001 Fifth St. in International Falls.
There will be practices every second Sunday in International Falls for the choir.
Those who live in the west end of the district will rehearse in Baudette every second Monday at 6:30 p.m. starting Sept. 30 in the Lake of the Woods High School band room.
Any singers—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—interested in participating are urged to attend the rehearsals. Those who weren’t in the choir last year shouldn’t be intimidated by coming out this time around.
“I think we have enough people with experience that there will be someone to follow,” Frederickson said.
The Borderland Orchestra—which again will provide the accompaniment—will rehearse the first and third Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 7 in International Falls.
Choir members who cannot attend a Sunday afternoon rehearsal may practice with the orchestra on Monday evenings.
Mass rehearsals for the choir and orchestra will be held Oct. 27 and Nov. 17, with complete schedules posted on www.borderlandartsalliance.org
Orchestra music and choir music is provided and practice CDs can be purchased.
If community choirs wish to learn the music on their own and participate in the performance, they should call Frederickson at 1-218-283-3763.
This year’s concert will consist mainly of “Messiah” (Part One) plus the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain.”
Frederickson isn’t sure where the money raised at the Baudette performance will go, but they are thinking that funds raised at the Backus one will go towards keeping that facility open.
“It has a terrific message and it is a good way of beginning the holiday season,” she enthused.