Dena Fischer
Pulse reporter

To celebrate this holiday season, the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra will join together with the Southern Illinois University Concert Choir and Choral Union in an artistic message of hope and faith that has been cherished by people around the world.

Their rendition of Handel's "Messiah" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. today in Shryock Auditorium.

The elegant, melodic blends of "Messiah" is particularly well known for its virtuosic vocalism. The Southern Illinois University Concert Choir and Choral Union have combined for this event into a 100 voice choir under the direction of SIUC professor and Director of Choral Activities, John Mochnick. The Choral Union is a college-community chorus that specializes in performing with orchestral accompaniment.

The SISO, conducted by SIUC professor Edward Benyas, will provide the musical backdrop for the choir.

The choir and orchestra will unite with soloists Randall Black, Mary Ann Hart, Jeffery Miller and Jeanine Wagner.

As a native of Carbondale, Ill. and SIUC alum, Black is highly respected for his mastery of all musical styles. He is a tenor who specializes in baroque and 20th century repertoire and has been featured in numerous symphonies and Bach societies across the United States.

Hart, a mezzo-soprano, is a professor of voice at Indiana University. She has performed with New York Philharmonic and the New York Chamber Symphony. Hart won numerous competitions such as First Prize in the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and Second Prize in the Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition.

Versatile bass-baritone, Miller, is an SIUC alum and currently a faculty member at Illinois Wesleyan University. He typically performs opera and musical theater. Miller has also appeared with various operas throughout the Midwest.

Wagner is a soprano "with a voice of great beauty, expressive power and artistic quality" in a recent press release. She has worked on the voice faculty at SIUC since 1984 and is a professor of music and assistant director of the School of Music at SIUC. Wagner was an International Finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti Competition and Regional Winner in the Metropolitan Opera auditions.

According to an official press release, Messiah's "unmatched choral sounds ranging from madrigal-like lightness to the composer's characteristic ceremonial style, 'Messiah' holds an extraordinarily grip on musicians and audience members."

This is partially due to the religious message of the performance. The oratorio, or biblical text set to music, was originally designed to tell the story of the Messiah.

Handel's "Messiah" is presented in three sections: The birth of the Messiah, redemption and lastly the resurrection and future reign of Christ.

Handel wrote the piece in a mere 21 days while he was suffering from partial paralysis. Founded out of Handel's own struggle, SISO and SIU Concert Choir and Choral Union will extend Messiah's comforting message of hope and triumph to warm the hearts of the Southern Illinois community this holiday season.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $9 for children and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased at the Shryock Auditorium Box Office weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by calling 618-453-ARTS (2787).