10th Annual Messiah: A Community Celebration Held At Grand Theater

The choir for the 10th Annual Messiah: A Community Celebration at the Grand Theatre has completed its final technical rehearsal for this year's performance. Excitement is high as they prepare for Friday's opening night. The choir has been rehearsing for ten weeks. Some are newcomers to the show, while others have been singing with the group ever since it began.

Collectively, the choir has more than 250 years' experience singing with this choir. Of the 80 members, some have extensive choral experience, singing with groups such as the Beehive Statesmen, Mountain Jubilee Chorus, Hilltop Choir, Utah Opera and Utah Symphony Choir, in musical theatre, and in local church and gospel choirs. Some choir members list their vocal background as "singing in the shower". Formal training among the choir members vary from none to those who are music teachers or ministers, and professional vocalists and musicians.

Choir members come from all parts of the valley. Detorea Oliver and her husband Joe, live in Davis County. They have sung in the choir for five years and she has co-directed the chorus for two years. Joe works in security by day. Other Davis County residents work as occupational therapists or Junior High School teachers.

Park City boasts performers who have sung in all ten productions. When not singing, they work as skiing or yoga instructors, or in apparel design. Cities within Salt Lake County are widely represented. Singers come from Draper, South Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, West Jordan, Sandy, and Salt Lake City and work as Braille proofreaders, software trainers, accountants, or painters.

Why are they here and why do they come year after year? "It's the community and camaraderie that makes singing in the chorus the highlight of my holiday season," says 10-year veteran singer Jan Zinn.

In addition to choir leader Detorea Oliver, B Murphy lends his expertise in co-conducting. Murphy has a rich, musical past. He began singing gospel at a young age. In the 70s he toured as a member of The Platters, whose hits include "The Great Pretender," "Only You (and You Alone)," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Touring with The Pretenders brought Murphy to Utah. In 1978 he moved to Utah and began his solo career. He has directed many choirs, and when he's not spending time co-conducting, he is commuting to his job in Washington DC. Murphy works with the choir members in teaching them the energetic and upbeat gospel sound that delight audience members from year to year.
"The most rewarding aspect of this production is the bonds that have been formed amongst choir members and musicians. We have choir members from over seven counties that come together. Many of them have created lifelong friendships," Murphy says.

Murphy's enthusiasm about this production is apparent. "It's a performance; it's a ministry; it's a celebration!" says Murphy about this 10th Annual Community Celebration of Messiah. "Don't miss it! Many audience members tell me how they've made the Community Celebration of the Messiah part of their Christmas tradition, and I couldn't be happier."

The 10th Annual Messiah: A Community Celebration runs December 9, 10 and 12 at 7:30 pm at The Grand Theatre. This production of Handel's Messiah features a full band and a choir of over 80 voices, with special guest soloists and narrators. Guest soloists include Ginger Bess, Anise Perry-Drisdom, Carey Drisdom, Dee-Dee Darby Duffin, Kelly Griffiths, Detorea Oliver, Kevin Green, Da'Jon Lang, and Bruce Williams.

The Grand Theatre is located at 1575 S. State Street on Salt Lake Community College's South City Campus. Tickets are $8-24 and are available online at www.the-grand.org or by calling the box office at 801-957-3322.