Inland
Northwest Musicians are excited to present Handel’s “Messiah” directed by R.
Lee Friese, in two different Oregon communities in December. On Saturday, December 11th, the
performance will be presented at the Community Center in Hermiston, Oregon, and
on Sunday, December 12th, it will be at the Memorial Hall in Weston,
Oregon. Both concerts will begin at
4pm. For the safety of the performers
and the community, audience members are being asked to wear masks during the
performances. A reception will follow
both performances. Concerts are
presented at no charge to the public with donations accepted at the door.
“Messiah”
was written in 1741 by German composer, George Frideric Handel and follows the
prophesies, birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This performance will focus on “Part One” of
the piece, which contain the prophesies as well as the addition of the “Amen
Chorus” and the “Hallelujah Chorus”. The
Inland Northwest Chorale will be accompanied by the Inland Northwest String
Orchestra and custom-made Harpsicord played by Myrna VanCleave of Pendleton. Soloists will be RaNiel Dunn, Soprano,
Pendleton; Mary Finney, Alto, Pendleton; Philip Ruud, Tenor, Pendleton; and
Donald Dugan, Bass, Umatilla. Principal
musicians for the string ensemble are Alice Massey, Violin, Pendleton; Emma
Jones, Violin, LaGrande; Sue Friese, Viola, Athena; Jane Bane, Cello,
Enterprise; and Brook Collins, Bass, Kennewick.
Both
concerts are being dedicated in memory of Harvey and Bernice Foreman, who passed
away in October of 2021. Harvey was a
charter member and a past board president for the organization. He had also been the bass soloist for several
performances of Messiah, and Bernice served the organization as Reception Host
and House Manager many times over the years.
Founded in
1999, Inland Northwest Musicians is comprised of volunteer musicians from
throughout Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington. INWM performance ensembles include the
Inland Northwest Orchestra, Inland Northwest Chorale, and Willow Creek
Symphony, all of whom present concerts throughout the region in communities of
all sizes. Admission to all concerts is
free of charge, funded by corporate sponsors, grants, local concert sponsorships,
and individual donations. For more
information, visit inlandnorthwestmusicians.com.
