CWU Presents Handel’s “Messiah” December 24 and 25 on KCTS/KYVE-TV

One of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music, Handel’s Messiah, will air at 9:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Day on KCTS/KYVE, the region’s public broadcast station. The concert is a joint performance by the Central Washington University Chamber Orchestra, directed by Nikolas Caoile, director of Orchestras, and Chamber Choir conducted by Gary Weidenaar, director of choral studies.

“This is one of those pieces that is a real joy to perform,” said Weidenaar.

Rather than the traditional quartet of soloists, who sing all of the solos among them, this production features each solo sung by a different singer – and they are all CWU students. Also, the soloists are all members of the choir, stepping forward to sing their solo, then rejoining the chorus , rather than sitting apart and only singing when there is a solo, which is standard in many of today’s productions—“It’s more in keeping with the way it was performed in Handel’s time,” he added.

Part One of the Messiah will air on December 24 at 9:00 p.m. and Part Two will air on December 25 at 7:00 p.m. Check your broadcast listings for your local KCTS/KYVE channel.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu

December 22, 2015