150 musicians and vocalists prepare to perform
Tue, 2001-11-20 00:00
Frederickson, having over two decades of experience directing choirs and orchestras, was elected to take charge of working with all the groups and their respective pieces. Practising since early fall, choirs and the orchestra have been busy rehearsing independently. In total Frederickson estimates that there will be about 150 people from the area involved in the final production.
“The music,” explained Frederickson, “is very addictive. Those who have never played it don’t want to stop once they start and those who have done it before can’t wait to get back to it.” She was first exposed to it in grade 7 and she still carries a tattered copy of if it from those early days.
Since all the groups are working independently she is counting on the experience of members in each group to help bring things together. Early on she was unsure it would work, having doubts she could even find enough strong soloists in the area. But having held auditions she was pleased to discover her doubts were unfounded.
Jeff Fraser, Anne Mailloux, Mark Mast, Norma-Jean Johnston all of Rainy River, Randy Rice of Baudette, Carmela Klug and Renee Martin of Emo and Jim Berlin of International Falls all will be performing solos. Frederickson said that the orchestra, consisting of about 25 pieces will mostly accompany the approximately 100 vocalists. It will also play the overture and the pastoral symphony.
The Messiah was written in 1741 by G. F. Handel as a piece to benefit the poor. Keeping with that theme there will be no admission cost to the two performances being held at Lake of the Woods School Auditorium in Baudette on December 1st at 7 p.m. and at Backus Auditorium in International Falls on December 2nd at 3 p.m. All that is asked is that people take part in a free will offering from which all the proceeds will go towards filling the shelves at local food banks over the holidays.
Frederickson feels it is incredible that so many artists are coming together from across a 100 mile span to do this and hopes that it will have a positive effect on the public. “I hope people will leave the auditorium with a blessed joyful feeling in their heart.”
If successful Frederickson is optimistic that the regional collection of musicians and vocalists will be willing to tackle more the Messiah. There are two more parts and she feels that they are not out of reach of the talented artists she has been working with.
Ken Johnston
editorial@RainyRiverRecord.com
In a little over two weeks about 150 people from all along the Rainy River, and both sides of it, will be performing one of history’s greatest musical creations.
Frederickson, having over two decades of experience directing choirs and orchestras, was elected to take charge of working with all the groups and their respective pieces. Practising since early fall, choirs and the orchestra have been busy rehearsing independently. In total Frederickson estimates that there will be about 150 people from the area involved in the final production.
“The music,” explained Frederickson, “is very addictive. Those who have never played it don’t want to stop once they start and those who have done it before can’t wait to get back to it.” She was first exposed to it in grade 7 and she still carries a tattered copy of if it from those early days.
Since all the groups are working independently she is counting on the experience of members in each group to help bring things together. Early on she was unsure it would work, having doubts she could even find enough strong soloists in the area. But having held auditions she was pleased to discover her doubts were unfounded.
Jeff Fraser, Anne Mailloux, Mark Mast, Norma-Jean Johnston all of Rainy River, Randy Rice of Baudette, Carmela Klug and Renee Martin of Emo and Jim Berlin of International Falls all will be performing solos. Frederickson said that the orchestra, consisting of about 25 pieces will mostly accompany the approximately 100 vocalists. It will also play the overture and the pastoral symphony.
The Messiah was written in 1741 by G. F. Handel as a piece to benefit the poor. Keeping with that theme there will be no admission cost to the two performances being held at Lake of the Woods School Auditorium in Baudette on December 1st at 7 p.m. and at Backus Auditorium in International Falls on December 2nd at 3 p.m. All that is asked is that people take part in a free will offering from which all the proceeds will go towards filling the shelves at local food banks over the holidays.
Frederickson feels it is incredible that so many artists are coming together from across a 100 mile span to do this and hopes that it will have a positive effect on the public. “I hope people will leave the auditorium with a blessed joyful feeling in their heart.”
If successful Frederickson is optimistic that the regional collection of musicians and vocalists will be willing to tackle more the Messiah. There are two more parts and she feels that they are not out of reach of the talented artists she has been working with.
