It’s the holiday season, and that means music is happening all over the place. Many of our Seagle singers are performing in gigs (some holiday related, some not) all around the country. There are quite a few Messiahs, but look a little closer and you’ll find an interesting cornucopia of festive holiday treats. Here is a completely random chronological sampling of some of the performances you might want to add to your December calendar!
DEC 9 @ 8:00PM – Messiah // Handel
Cobb Theater, Wharton Center – East Lansing, MI
David Anderson, tenor and Kyle White, baritone will be featured soloists for Michigan State University’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. If you can’t make it to Michigan, this performance will also be live-streamed. Tickets and further information can be found here.
DEC 9 @ 8:00PM AND SUNDAY, DEC 10 @ 2:30PM – Christmas Oratorio // Saint-Saens
Belleville Congregational Church – Newburyport, MA
Megan Callahan, mezzo-soprano, Colin Campbell, tenor, and Michael Miller, baritone, are featured soloists with the Newburyport Choral Society for its annual Winter Concert. The central piece of the program is Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio. It looks like Sunday’s performance is already sold out, but you can still get tickets for Saturday night. More information can be found here.
DEC 8, 9, 16 @ 7:30PM & DEC 17 @ 2:30PM – Home for the Holidays
Wayne and Kristine Lueders Florentine Opera Center – Milwaukee, WI
Nate Hill, baritone, appears with his fellow Florentine Opera Studio artists in a program of winter tunes and carols. Tickets and information here.
DEC 11 @ 8:00PM – La Liberazione di Ruggiero // Caccini
Hatch Recital Hall, Eastman School of Music – Rochester, NY
Kevin Bryant, tenor, will sing the role of Ruggiero in a concert performance of Francesca Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero with Eastman’s Collegium Musicum. This rare treat was the first opera ever composed by a woman, and the free concert will be conducted by Paul O’Dette, music director of the Boston Early Music Festival. More information can be found here.
DEC 21 @ 12:45PM – Magnificat // Various composers
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart – Houston, TX
Catherine Goode, soprano, presents a free recital as part of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s Third Thursday concert series. Her concert features a variety of vocal settings of the Magnificat, including the Houston premiere of Naji Hakim’s Magnificat for soprano and organ. More information is available on the Cathedral’s Facebook page.
DEC 19 & 20 @ 7:30PM – Messiah // Handel
Lindenwood Christian Church – Memphis, TN
2017 Seagle Gala honoree Jonathan Blalock, tenor, debuts with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah. Details on tickets here.
DEC 21 & 22 @ 7:00PM – Messiah // Handel
Kimmel Center – Philadelphia, PA
Jorie Moss, soprano and Scott Purcell, baritone, will appear as part of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir in Handel’s Messiah with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Tickets and further information can be found on the orchestra’s listing of holiday events.
And for some international fun…
JAN 1 @ 5:00PM – New Year’s Concert “American Dreams”
2016 Seagle Gala honoree Hailey Clark, soprano, performs with Theater Basel for their annual New Year’s festivities. Hailey will perform selections by Joplin, Bernstein, and Floyd. If you happen to be in Switzerland, stop by Basel and say Grüss Gott to Hailey! Tickets and info here.
If these performances are a bit too far-flung for you, consider attending a concert in your area. Many churches offer Lessons and Carols, and this time of year is a great opportunity for Pops concerts if that’s more your speed. I always felt music is what makes this season most magical – I hope you’ll join me in supporting your local organizations and appreciating music wherever and whenever you can. And who knows – Seagle alumni can be found all over the country and maybe you’ll run in to a friendly face!
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The approaching end of the year is also a time to consider making year-end contributions to the organizations that move you. You may have seen Seagle’s #GivingTuesday campaign last week, and we are heartily grateful to all who made donations. But did you know our event is still going on? If SMC can raise $50,000 by December 15, a generous donor will provide an additional gift of $10,000. As of December 6, we are 60% of the way towards our goal! If you or someone you love has experienced Seagle, from the stage or the audience, you know what a unique and special place it is. Ticket sales only cover a small part of the colony’s operating costs; it’s YOUR gifts that boost Seagle’s ability to continue offering world-class training and performance in the Adirondacks. Give and make a difference today!
Finally, MARK YOUR CALENDARS – season tickets for Seagle Music Colony’s 103rd season go on sale January 1, 2018. Which shows are you most excited about seeing this summer? Visit our page on Facebook and let us know!
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