HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 20, 2014 – High Point University will treat the community to two festive performances of holiday music with its annual Holiday Choral Concert. The concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 6 in the Pauline Theatre of the Hayworth Fine Arts Center. The concerts are free and open to the public.
The concerts will include a performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” by the combined choirs of HPU, including members from the Chamber Singers, University Singers, Chapel Choir and Women’s Chorus. Solos for “Messiah” will be performed by HPU student soloists who were selected from a competitive audition. Additionally, an orchestra of students, faculty and guest musicians will accompany the singers.
“Of particular note is that the edition of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ we are performing is as close to the original as performed in Handel’s day as possible,” says Dr. Marc Foster, chair of the department of music and director of choral activities at HPU. “Most people don’t realize that a significant percentage of the ‘Messiah’ performances we hear are in fact a version that was arranged/orchestrated by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to accommodate larger choruses and orchestras of his day.”
“We are really excited about our Holiday Choral Concerts this year and hope to fill Hayworth Fine Arts Center for both performances,” adds Foster.
Visitors are encouraged to enter campus through the welcome center at the intersection of Montlieu Avenue and Centennial Street. Public parking and shuttles will be available in the lot behind the Hayworth Fine Arts Center.
A limited number of complimentary tickets will be available for the general public by contacting 336-841-9209 or emailing [email protected].