Annual ‘The Messiah’ rehearsals now on tap
Robert Stevens
Managing editor
10-6-2016
EPHRAIM—Rehearsals are about to begin for the 83rd annual presentation of Handel’s “The Messiah” by a combined Snow College and community choir and orchestra.
This year’s performance will be at the Eccles Center concert hall on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Adjunct voice teacher on the Snow music faculty and Ephraim native Jerry Dahl will be music director again for this year’s presentation.
“Professor Harry Dean began this traditional performance in 1934 while he was teaching at Snow College,” Dahl said.
Dean, who had moved to Ephraim from Rexburg, Idaho, wanted to start a cultural tradition to enrich the lives of locals as well as give students at the college an opportunity to perform a major choral work with an orchestra.
“At the height of the Great Depression, this was no small feat,” said Vance Larsen, head of Snow’s music department.
Larsen, who grew up across the street from the Deans, feels it is vital to keep this tradition going. Conductors from the past have included not only Harry Dean, but McLoyd Erickson, Floyd Nelson, Judy Morgan, Steve Meredith and Roy Ellefson.
All singers are welcome to join in the performance, Dahl says.
Instrumentalists, including strings, oboe, bassoon, trombone, French horns and clarinets, are needed.
Choir rehearsals will be on Sunday evenings beginning Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. Orchestra rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.
All rehearsals are held at the Horne School of Music at Snow. Music sheets will be provided.
Dahl and a committee will also be hearing auditions for soloists in all voice categories on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.
Contact Dahl at 851-4205 to schedule an audition. An accompanist will be provided or you may bring your own if you desire.
