The public is invited to an evening of song Dec. 4 when for the ninth season Lenoir Community College brings an exciting musical event to the stage, Handel's "Messiah," under the direction of LCC music faculty Carolyn Crossland.

The one performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Waller Building auditorium and is open to the public. There is no admission fee. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Accompanying the choir will be a 15-piece chamber orchestra from the North Carolina Symphony.

George Frideric Handel, a master of Italian opera and English oratorio, was born one month before J.S. Bach, in Germany. He was not from a musical family, but by age 9 his musical talent was outstanding.

Handel became an English citizen and he became English's most important composer and a favorite of Queen Anne.

Handel's music was usually based on stories form the Old Testament, but it is not church music. Most of his oratorios have plots, but were performed without acting, scenery or costumes.

"Messiah" deals with a New Testament subject and has no plot. There are three parts to "Messiah." Only Part One, commonly known as the Christmas portion, is being performed at LCC. Part One starts with the prophecy of the Messiah's coming and makes celestial announcements of Christ's birth and the redemption of humanity through his appearance.

Charles Jennings, a millionaire and amateur literary man, compiled the text by taking widely separate passages from the Bible - Isaiah, Psalms and Job from the Old Testament; Luke, I Corinthians, and the Book of Revelations from the New Testament.

Professional soloists who will be performing are Jon Shaw, soprano, Sharon Munden, alto, David Hursh, tenor, Joel Gay, bass, with Justin Sturz as the accompanist.

Crossland will serve as the producer and conductor of "Messiah."

She joined the LCC faculty in 1992. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in music from Campbell University and masters of music degree from East Carolina University. In addition to post graduate work in the United States, Crossland has studied at the Royal School of Church Music in London, England; the Italian Organ Academy in Pistoria, Italy; the Classical Music Seminar in Eisenstadt, Austria; and Cambridge University in Cambridge, England.

Previous work experience includes positions on the music faculty at East Carolina University and Mount Olive College and choirmaster/organist at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Raleigh.

She is listed in the International "Who's Who in Music and Who's Who in Business and Professional Women."
She has received numerous awards including Distinguished Leadership Award in the Teaching Profession, LCC President's Award for Service and Innovation, International Paragon Award and the 2002 Teaching Excellence Award at LCC.

Crossland currently serves as the minister of music at Westminster United Methodist Church and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Hymn Society of America, National Pastoral Musicians, American Guild of Organists, Royal School of Church Music and Conductor's Guild.
For more information, call Crossland at 527-6223, ext. 919 or email at ccrossland@lenoircc.edu.