May concerts at Messiah College showcase handbell, percussion and horn ensembles
April 10th, 2008
GRANTHAM, Pa. (April 10, 2008) — The Messiah College School of the Arts will present three concerts in May: the Concert Handbell Choir on May 3 at 7 p.m. in Hostetter Chapel; Musica Nova on May 5 at 7:30 p.m.; and the Percussion and Horn Ensembles on May 6 at 8 p.m. in Poorman Recital Hall in the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center on the college’s Grantham campus. The concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, call the music department at (717) 766-2511, ext. 3310.
Concert highlights
• May 3, 7 p.m.
The Messiah College Concert Handbell Choir comprised of 14 students will present a concert under the direction of Shawn Gingrich, adjunct lecture of music and director of music ministry at the First United Methodist Church in Hershey. The program will include “Procession of Praise” by Arnold Sherman (performed with organ and handbells); “Grazioso” by Arnold Sherman; “My Spirit Be Joyful” by J. S. Bach; “Amazing Grace” by Diane Bish; “Take Five” by Paul Desmond; and many others.
• May 5, 7:30 p.m.
The Messiah College Musica Nova will present a concert featuring new compositions by Messiah students under the direction of Dwight Thomas, director of the composition program, Richard Roberson, dean of the School of the Arts at Messiah, and Geoff Twigg, adjunct professor of music and director of music ministry ensembles. The program will feature a variety of styles including traditional, pop and avant-garde.
• May 6, 8 p.m.
The Messiah College Percussion Ensemble and Horn Ensemble will present a concert under the direction of David Knott, adjunct lecturer of music at Messiah and director of bands at Bishop McDevitt High, and Michael Harcrow, director of the brass ensemble and assistant professor of music. The Horn Ensemble will open the program with several transcriptions of well-known works by composers including Purcell, Schubert, Mozart and Sousa. A talented horn trio will present original works by Anton Reicha and Lowell Shaw of “Fripperies” fame. The percussion ensemble will perform Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Piano Sonata, op. 53 Mvt. 1, arranged by Allan Miller; David Gillingham’s poignant work “Normandy Beach,” presenting an aural depiction of the Allied landing during World War II; and many others.
About Messiah College’s music department
The department of music at Messiah College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The department offers majors in music and music education with concentrations in church music, performance, composition, commercial music and arts management. Through a variety of junior and senior recitals and choral and instrumental ensembles, students gain performing experience both on-and off-campus.
The Messiah College Bands have gained national recognition for their recordings “Cross Winds,” “Affirmations” and their most recent release “Progressions” which made the Grammy Nomination List in 2007.
About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.