George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece work, “Messiah,” is perhaps one of the most well-known and widely sung chorale and symphony productions in history, but for members of the Glacier Chorale it’s a special event every time.
The Glacier Symphony and Chorale has performed pieces of Messiah before, but choral director Jim Stanard said this year’s concerts feature the most complete version yet. Stanard has been directing Messiah for close to 30 years, 25 of them spent in California. But the message in the performance, which tells the story of Jesus Christ from birth to death and eventual ascension, keeps the program fresh, he said.
“There’s a power in music that can reach people in many ways, for good and bad. I think Messiah is one that brings out the best in humanity,” Stanard said.
Stanard is responsible for directing 70 members of the chorale for the three performances taking place on Dec. 18-20 in Kalispell and Bigfork. The interesting part has been preparing the group in four rehearsals, only one of them with the symphony, he said.
But the chorale has risen to the task for the perennial holiday favorite. Seasoned members have performed parts of it before, providing mentorship for the younger, inexperienced members.
At 16, Arrianne Noland is the youngest member of the chorale, but learning such complicated, fast choruses with intricate note changes has been a labor of love for the First Soprano.
“This is my favorite one,” she said. “I love the Messiah. It’s so pretty; it’s just amazing.”
The popular holiday piece is responsible for the “Hallelujah” chorus so often heard now to connote heaven or salvation in modern media and for the fast-paced “Unto Us a Child is Born.”
With formal practices scheduled only once a week, Noland said she spends an hour everyday studying the music and rehearsing on her own. A more experienced chorale member, Terry Comstock, knows all about practicing on his own.
The First Tenor has driven to weekly practices from his home in Eureka for 10 years, singing the whole way there and the long drive home.
“It gets really busy, but if you want to make the good music you have to do it,” Comstock said.
The chorale is composed of a variety of members. Some are music majors or music teachers and others are business owners or doctors. Still, the level of talent and passion is up there with the best of them, Comstock said.
“Even though we’re amateurs it’s not our first rodeo,” Comstock said.
The Messiah’s subject matter hits home for some of the chorale’s religious members as much as the flowing choruses do. For 20-year-old and First Soprano Katie Christensen, her first time performing the piece with the chorale will allow her to spread a message of hope to her friends and neighbors.
“In this season, people really need a reminder of what it’s all about – just the warmth and love that comes from these songs,” Christensen said.
And with only four practices to perfect the complicated choruses, Christensen and Noland have benefitted from the help of other sopranos who know the pieces. Enter Sally Murdock, who has been in the GSC since 1990 and types up rehearsal notes for absent members.
Murdock has been singing the Messiah since high school, but the music hasn’t lost its luster.
“It’s always been an inspiring experience,” she said. “I enjoy my religion through music more than any other way. That gives me the Christmas religious experience.”
Murdock also urged Flathead residents who have never seen a symphony and chorale production to start with the Messiah because it highlights the qualities of both. The full symphony will not play the Messiah – Handel wrote it for a smaller orchestra – but conductor and music director John Zoltek will still be at the helm.
Even though Christensen is excited about singing the pieces, she is certain she would enjoy the powerful production even if she were just watching.
“I wish I was in the audience, but I’m really happy that I get this opportunity. It’s a great opportunity,” Christensen said.
Concerts will be on Dec. 18 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, 7:30 p.m.; on Dec. 19 at the Performing Arts Center in Whitefish, 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 20 at Flathead High Auditorium in Kalispell, 3 p.m. For tickets, visit www.gscmusic.org or call 406-257-3241.