Gulf Coast
Messiah Chorus
Post Office Box 176
Ocean Springs, MS 39566-0176
Telephone: (228) 875-9614
The 2007-08 season is the Messiah Chorus’s Fifty-Fifth year of performances on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. | |
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A Mississippi Gulf Coast Music Tradition Lives On
December 1952 marked the beginning of what was to become a musical and religious tradition for thousands of people along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi: the annual performance of George F. Handel’s marvelous oratorio, Messiah. Under the direction of Glen Draper, the first performance at Keesler Air Force Base began a 40-year history of performances by musicians from both the military and civilian communities. The thousands who enjoy this masterpiece of Handel’s genius year after year are a living tribute to those who have made it possible through dedication and hard work.
Again this year the presentation of selections from Messiah will touch the communities of the Gulf Coast with three performances in the fall and two in the spring to make Handel’s masterpiece easily accessible. The hopes and prayers of all who continue to share their gifts of faith and music are that it may live on with its power to touch the lives of many. What began so simply at Keesler fifty-five years ago continues to be an inspiration to those who visit or make their homes in southern Mississippi.
Christmas 2007 Performance Schedule
Friday evening, November 30, 2007
7:30 p.m.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College,
Jefferson Davis Campus Auditorium
2226 Switzer Road, Gulfport, MS
Saturday evening, December 1, 2007
7:30 p.m.
The Saenger Theatre
416 Reynoir Street, Biloxi, MS
Guest Choirs: The Ocean Springs High School
Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers
Sunday afternoon, December 2, 2007
3:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS
Fall 2007 Chorus Rehearsal Schedule
Fall 2007 Solo Auditions Schedule
GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL
and
Messiah
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 George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) began work on Messiah on August 22, 1741, using a text by Charles Jennens. The words had been adapted from Holy Scripture. On the 14th of September, Handel penned the final touches on a score which was destined to be a reminder of his greatness. Composed in 24 days, this has been a great source of amazement to music lovers for more than two centuries.
Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, with Handel himself conducting. A remarkable thing occurred at that performance. During the Hallelujah Chorus the audience, which included the King himself, was so moved that all stood spontaneously. Thus, the tradition of standing during this chorus began. The following year, the work received its premiere in England. |
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Purpose & Mission
‘ The primary purpose of the Chorus shall be to offer free of charge one or more performances of George F. Handel’s oratorio Messiah, or selections thereof, each year for the enjoyment and inspiration of the citizens of and visitors to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Performances of other compositions may be added as determined by the Board of Directors.’
By-laws, Article II
February 26, 1996
The Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus
is a registered nonprofit
corporation in the state of
Mississippi and has been granted
a tax exempt nonprofit status
[501(c)(3)] by the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service. |
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All
Performances are
free and open to the
public. All gifts in
support of the Chorus
are tax deductible. |
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 Gift
Campaign
2007-08 Performance Season
We need your support to
reach our goal of $ 30,000 for our five
(5) scheduled performances for the 2007-08 season. Three
fall performances (Nov. 30 - Dec. 2) and two Spring 2008
performances, all with
orchestra, are scheduled.
Please prayerfully consider the gift categories shown in
the box. Again we are offering the
opportunity to sponsor an entire performance or the
services of an instrumentalist for the whole season. To
make it easier for those on tight budgets, the entire
gift need not be paid now. Monthly or quarterly payments
may be made. All gifts are tax deductible. Please fill
out the bottom portion of this form indicating your gift.
Thank
you, and God bless you.
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Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus
Post Office Box 176
Ocean Springs, MS 39566-0176
(228) 875-2929
FAX: (228) 875-2929
Performance
Sponsor
Instrumentalist Sponsor
Life Member
Patron
Sponsoring Member
Chorus Member Dues |
$
$
$
$
$
$ |
2,500
500
500
250
100
20
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I wish to support
the Messiah Chorus in the following way:
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| Name________________________ Address______________________
_____________________________
Phone________________________
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 I am interested in joining the Chorus.
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Please make checks payable to Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus.
Questions & Comments
Ed Cake, Board Chair
Monica Crowell, Vice-Chair
Ed Cake, Benefit Golf Tournament Director
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Thank
You for your prayerful and financial support of the Messiah
Chorus in its Mission of Continuing Five Decades of
‘Messiah’ Performances on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. |
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M
I S S I S S I P P I |
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ARTS
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C
O M M I S S I O N
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This project is
supported in part by a grant
from the
Mississippi Arts
Commission
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2005 Board of Directors
Elected Members:
Ed Cake, Chair
Monica Crowell, Vice-Chair
Lucille Harrington
Joe Moleta
Tricia Myrick
Gay O’Neil, Treasurer
Donnie Taylor
John Troxler, Secretary
Appointed Members:
Vera Edwards
Carlos Teran
Ed Young
Ex-Officio Members:
Guy Bowering, Accompanist
Gerald O’Neil, Orchestra Manager
Diane Walker, Historian
Designed & Maintained by Alex Pringle