Symphony preforms annual 'Messiah' concert

The Glacier Symphony’s “This Sacred Season and Messiah” concerts in Whitefish and Kalispell will offer a delightful pallet of sacred music for the season with a program focused on highlights from Handel’s “Messiah.” The concert includes inspiring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and American composers, Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. Also on the program will be the premiere of “A Christmas Round” composed by John Zoltek.

The performance will feature both the chorale, led by Chorale Conductor Micah Hunter, and the combined chorale with orchestra, under the baton of Glacier Symphony Maestro John Zoltek. Hunter will also make a special appearance as baritone soloist in Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols,” a beautiful work based upon traditional English carols for chorus and orchestra with soloist.

Following intermission audiences will be treated to the finest moments from Handel’s masterpiece “Messiah” including “And The Glory Of The Lord;” “Unto Us A Child Is Born;” “And He Shall Purify;” “Glory To God;” “His Yoke Is Easy;” “Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs” and the ultimate, “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Zoltek comments that December performances by the orchestra and chorale are among the most popular of the Glacier Symphony’s concert season.

“Many families attend as part of their Holiday traditions. And the Glacier Symphony would like to invite our community to join us for this performance that we hope will enrich your Christmas celebrations. It’s a great time to discover the uplifting and inspirational experience of live classical music.”

Concerts will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center in Whitefish and Sunday, Dec. 16, 3 p.m. at Flathead High School Performance Hall in Kalispell. Tickets can be purchased online at www.glaciersymphony.org or by calling the GS Box Office, 406-407-7000 or stopping by the office located at 69 N. Main St., Kalispell.