About “The Fantasticks”
The world’s longest-running musical makes its way to Messiah’s newest theater, Poorman Black Box. This theater features flexible seating, and the production will be performed in the round with audience members on all sides. “The Fantasticks” displays a classic romantic story, where two families arrange a pretend feud that allows their young son and daughter to fall madly in love. This couple uncovers the hoax and separates, emphasizing the simplicity and complexity of love. The Messiah College performance, directed by Edward Cohn, associate professor of theatre, promises a timeless and entertaining show for all.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

This much-loved work will be performed with  professional soloists, including Sasha Piastro, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Jeffrey Fahnestock, tenor; and Damian Savarino, bass-baritone and senior lecturer of voice and opera at Messiah College. 

About George Frideric Handel
Born in 1685 to a family with limited musical prowess, Handel received significant musical training in Halle, Hamburg and Italy before moving to London in 1712. Now regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time, Handel received recognition for his oratorios, anthems and organ concertos, arranging critically acclaimed masterpieces “Alexander’s Feast,” “Music for the Royal Fireworks” and, of course, “Messiah.” Over the past half-century, Handel’s work has received increased attention, further cementing his role as an elite musical composer.

About the director
Director Linda L. Tedford, recipient of the American Choral Directors Association’s Elaine Brown Award for choral excellence, is Messiah College’s director of choral activities and conductor of the Messiah College Concert Choir, Men’s Ensemble and Chamber Singers.  In addition, Tedford serves as the founder, artistic director and conductor of the Susquehanna Chorale, a role that enables her to oversee the Chorale’s Educational Outreach Program. On April 28, Ms. Tedford will receive Theater Harrisburg’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in the Capital Region.

About the Messiah College Choral Arts Society
The Messiah College Choral Arts Society enters its 67th season this year, continuing its commitment to fine performances of major choral works with orchestra. The choir is open to community members and Messiah students by audition.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

About Messiah College Communication Department
With six majors and an enrollment of 144 students, the Messiah College communication department offers a challenging mix of theory and practical application. Students experience a core of communication courses while pursuing a major that fits their interests, including broadcasting, communication studies, digital media, film and media arts, journalism and public relations. For more information, visit www.messiah.edu/departments/communication.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

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GRANTHAM, Pa. (March 27, 2013) —Christopher O’Riley, a classical pianist and public radio host, will perform the fourth concert in the 2012-2013 Cultural Series season at Messiah College on April 17. The Messiah College Women’s Ensemble will join O’Riley on stage, singing several Joni Mitchell song arrangements. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. in the newly constructed Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts. Tickets cost $23 and can be purchased by contacting the Messiah College ticket office at 717-691-6036 or by visiting tickets@messiah.edu.

About Christopher O’Riley
As an aspiring young musician, O’Riley found great success in the entertainment world. His vast collection of awards and recognitions led to the release of his first album, a collection of works of Ferruccio Busoni. Today, O’Riley serves as the host of the weekly National Public Radio program “From the Top,” during which he interviews and shares the stories of young musicians. His latest album “Out of My Hands” (2009) dives into repertoire from Radiohead to Ravel to Chopin, receiving praise from Rolling Stone for its “unblinking virtuosity.”  

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

Tree Campus USA was launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation as a way to honor colleges, universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of environmental leadership.

Messiah owns 400-plus acres and much of that property is heavily forested and underdeveloped. To promote the health, safety and beauty of Messiah’ trees, a sub-group of the College’s Sustainability Committee is dedicated to the health, safety and beauty of campus trees.

In November 2012, students in a field biology course partnered with Messiah’s grounds crew to plant more than 500 trees at the base of Cemetery Hill which reduces a significant mowing area for the ground crew and will offset the carbon emissions for all of Messiah’s fleet vehicles.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

About the workshop sessions and clinicians
Workshop sessions will be led by clinicians Randall Zwally, Jay Umble, Rob Zwally and Erik Schlosser. Randall Zwally, director of guitar studies at Messiah, holds master’s degrees in guitar performance and library science and has completed post-graduate music studies at Texas Christian University, Johns Hopkins University and Manhattan School of Music. Zwally will teach advanced sessions for the acoustic guitarist.

Jay Umble teaches guitar mechanics, harmony theory and fretboard integration as the instructor of jazz and electric guitar at Messiah. He has released three nationally distributed recordings, as well as authored several nationally acclaimed guitar instruction books. Umble will teach a session for electric guitarists which will cover improvisation, electronic effects and staying focused and confident when playing in public.

Rob Zwally, Randall’s brother, is a stringed instrument repair specialist. His sessions will discuss topics of guitar care and maintenance. Zwally will also be available throughout the day to examine instruments and provide suggestions and estimates on repair and customizing.

Erik Schlosser, a Messiah College graduate with a degree in music education, will teach a new, unique series of sessions for the beginning to intermediate acoustic guitarist. A full-time member of music faculty member at Manheim Township High School, Schlosser directs the school’s guitar studies.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Climenhaga Building lobby with an opening presentation at 9 a.m. in Parmer Hall in the Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts. Faculty, staff and current students will be conducting information sessions about Messiah College distinctives, campus life and the more than 80 majors offered. Lunch is provided to all visiting students and families, and the day will conclude by 3:45 p.m.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

About Todd Allen
Todd Allen, an associate professor in the department of communication at Geneva College, received his bachelor’s degree in communication from Geneva College. Continuing his education, he received his master’s degree in rhetorical studies from the University of Akron and his doctorate degree in rhetorical studies from Duquesne University. He founded The Common Ground Project, a community based nonprofit that promotes an understanding of the civil rights movement. Allen has led a bus tour, “Returning to the Roots of Civil Rights,” which visits many key sites of the movement in the south. Receiving many awards for his efforts, Allen is the recipient of the Fellowship at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History at Yale University, The New Pittsburgh Courier 50 Men of Excellence, Minority Opinion Magazine Achiever Award and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Racial Justice Award.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

According to the Agape Center for Service and Learning, in 2012, an estimated 98 percent of Messiah’s graduating class participated in some form of community service through the Agape Center.

This is Messiah College’s seventh consecutive time being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and third time receiving the honor with distinction.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

About “Antigone”
The tragedy displays the battle of right and wrong for the daughter of Oedipus. After Antigone’s brothers die while overtaking the kingdom, his uncle declares that one brother will receive a state burial and the other will serve as an example to traitors. Challenging her uncle’s decree, Antigone finds herself in a battle over morality, death and honor. The Messiah College performance, directed by Kristopher Yoder, promises a dramatic and enticing show to all.

About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 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.

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