This is a special recording of Rejoice Greatly, a concert given by the Missouri River Choral Society, recorded live at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
For this concert the Missouri River Choral Society, under the direction of Dr. John Flannery, performed the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah.
A work that for many holds and stimulates the feeling of Christmas, Handel’s Messiah was first performed as an Easter oratorio in 1742 to a Dublin audience. Not until the 19th Century did the Messiah find its place on Yuletide programs. But there it has stayed.
The spirit of generosity we associate with Christmas, however, has always been a part of the Messiah’s DNA. For Handel, a fellow who didn’t blunt his pugnacious nature, was always charitable to worthy causes. The composer donated his portion of proceeds from the debut to a Dublin debtors’ prison and hospital. Following, he always included the work in his annual benefit concert for London’s Foundling Hospital.
The soloists, in order of performance, were Noah Towns, Jake Ven Huizen, Rachael Wragge, Junior Darwin, Megan Bishop, and Shanon Salyards Burton.
The chorus included Megan Bishop, Allison and Grace Beumler, Erick Carlberg, Victoria Conover, Kayla Cook, Tony Fravel, Dylan Henneman, Alex Hobza, Brittany Hodge, Leah Hudelson, Nick Karrer, Marcus Klassen, Jada Kurth, Katie Logan, Shaley Morse, Donald and Erin Nelson, Brooke Redwine, Margee Spindler, Andrew Stoneking, Tyler Tigges, Chanel er Todd, Molly Tomke, Gene Wagner, Rachel White, and Emily Wigton.
The violinists were Grant Beckwith, Lisa Miedema, Kristin Ortman, Antonio Ferraro, Elizabeth Boyer, and DeEtta Riley.
Violists Eleanor May-Patterson, Shari Boone, and Sheila Graves
Cellists Stephanie March and Anne Cowley
The horns were Kevin Linder and Kevin Massey
Timpanist Elias Flanery
Mallorie Egbers was at the keyboard.
