EPHRAIM—Hundreds of Sanpete County residents witnessed more than 100 singers and orchestra members presenting the 88th rendition “The Messiah” by Handel over the weekend at the Eccles Center.
There were performances both Saturday and Sunday. The Sunday performance had a capacity crowd.
The conductor was Dr. Michael Huff, dean of fine arts at Snow College and director of choral studies in the Horne School of Music.
Soloists were Cassie Bearden, a senior in the Horne School of Music, soprano; Adam Pili of Ephraim, also a Snow music student, counter tenor; Samuel West, a Snow College music graduate from Kaysville, tenor/baritone; and Bryce Hammond, a Snow student who plans to become a music educator, baritone.
Many of the performers have participated for years. Middle-aged Wendel Smith from Ephraim says he sang in his first Messiah when he was only 14. He has sung for the past four years and said he believed everyone involved would be blessed in the endeavor.
Jim Fullmer, also of Ephraim, said he has participated for six years. He said he had not heard of anyone dropping out because of COVID-19.
The majority of the singers come from the community, with the rest from Snow College’s a cappella choir. Most orchestra members are from the college.
The college required everyone participating to be tested for COVID-19 during the week leading up to the performance(s).
Masking was strongly suggested, but not required, for people in the audience The majority opted not to wear masks.
