'Messiah' rehearsals start Sunday at Cobleskill's Zion

11/6/2018

The Community Christmas Chorus is making preparations to hold rehearsals for its bi-ennial performance of G.F. Handel’s Oratorio “Messiah.”
The performance will be held on Sunday, December 16 at 4pm in the Zion Lutheran Church, 615 Main Street, Cobleskill.
Rehearsals are slated to begin on Sunday, November 11 in the Zion Lutheran Church from 7-8:30pm.
The “Messiah” has a long and rich history dating back to its creation in 1741 when the complete oratorio was composed in just 24 days.
It was first performed at a concert for charitable purposes in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742 with Handel himself conducting.
Many of the choruses in the oratorio are now performed as stand alone works.
This tradition, now in its 24th year, was started as an effort to bring area church choirs together during the holiday season for a major community event.
This event will mark the 12th time the chorus has performed this work in Schoharie County.
The director of this chorus is Mark Pracher.
Mr. Pracher, a retired Schoharie music teacher, has served as the “Messiah” director since the group’s first performance in 1994.
Soloists for this year’s performance are soprano Elizabeth Borkowski, alto Sharon Holbert, tenors Scott Barton and Paul Lomax, and bass William Holbert.
Many of the soloists have sung solos for the “Messiah” on previous occasions, both in Schoharie County and elsewhere.
The community chorus will once again be accompanied by a full orchestra.
In true community spirit the Schoharie County Community Christmas Chorus welcomes all people regardless of age, background, or experience.
All interested singers are encouraged to come to the first rehearsal and join this longstanding tradition.
Music will be provided if needed.
For more information call (518)669-4226.