HOLIDAY CONCERT FEATURES EXERPTS FROM HANDEL'S `MESSIAH'

The Paducah Symphony Orchestra and the Southeast Missouri State University Choral Union will perform President's Concert V, a program of seasonal works and excerpts from Handel's "Messiah" at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 in Academic Auditorium.

President's Concert V is being sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University President Dr. Dale F. Nitzschke and the Friends of Music.

Featured soloists with the Choral Union will be Elizabeth James Gallagher, soprano; Tamara Brannon, alto; Christopher Goeke, tenor; and Jonathan Stewart, bass.

The program will feature A Canadian Brass Christmas, including "Ding, Dong Merrily on High," "I Saw Three Ships," "The Huron Carol" and "Here We Come A-Wassailing;" "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme, Choral Prelude;" "White Christmas;" Christmas Favorites, including "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas," "Silver Bells" and "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire;" "Serenade, from L'Enfance du Christ;" and "Russian Christmas Music."

Following an intermission, both the Orchestra and Choral Union will perform selections from "Messiah," including "Sinfonia;" "Every Valley;" "And the glory of the Lord;" "But who may abide the day of His coming;" "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion;" "Rejoice Greatly, O daughter of Zion," and "Hallelujah."

A post-concert reception, also hosted by Nitzschke and The Friends of Music, is planned in the Commons area of Robert A. Dempster Hall. Admission to the reception is by reservation. The reception cost is $25 per couple or $15 per person. Reservations for the reception should be made by Dec. 16 by calling (573) 651-2141 or by sending a check to: "The Friends of Music, c/o The Department of Music, Southeast Missouri State University, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701."

Admission to the concert is $15 for balcony seats, $12 for floor seats and $8 for rear floor seats. Tickets may be reserved until Dec. 6 at: Union Planters Bank, 2210 Hwy. 61 East, Jackson; First Financial Bank of Mississippi County, East Prairie and Charleston; Bank of New Madrid; First Security Bank of Charleston; First National Bank, Sikeston, main office; First State Bank and Trust Company, Sikeston; or by calling the Department of Music at Southeast Missouri State University at (573) 651-2141. Tickets also will be available at the door.

Parking will be available in lots 4 and 18 on Henderson Street, just across from the University Center, and at Robert A. Dempster Hall. Shuttle buses will be running between these lots and Academic Hall. Handicapped parking will be available behind Academic Hall, with street-level elevator access. People planning to attend the post-concert reception should park at Robert A. Dempster Hall. A shuttle will run from the concert in Academic Hall to Robert A. Dempster Hall at the conclusion of the concert.

The Paducah Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1979, is a professional group drawn from 32 communities in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. Its audience is even more diverse, representing 61 communities in a four-state area. The Orchestra has grown from performing two concerts in its first season to 15 this season. In addition, small ensembles perform 15 to 20 free programs a year for schools, community and civic organizations.

Dr. Jordan Tang, conductor for the past 10 years, is a native of Hong Kong. Besides having guest conducted a number of orchestras in the states, he also is an accomplished composer. He also conducts the Jackson, Tenn., Symphony.

Tang is in his 11th season as music director and conductor of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. During this period, the Orchestra has reached new heights, performing some of the most difficult literature in the repertoire and doubling the number of concerts it performs each season.

Tang previously served as associate conductor of the Charlotte Symphony and Charlotte Pops Orchestra, music director of the Ozark Festival Orchestra, Southwest Missouri State University Symphony, Youth Symphony of the Carolinas, and the New Music Ensemble in Utah.

As a guest conductor, he has directed the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Nashville, Memphis, Kansas City, South Arkansas and Sewanee Summer Music Center Orchestras, as well as the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra. He has composed more than 70 works, which have been performed by a number of orchestras.

The Choral Union, under the direction of Dr. John Egbert, is an "open membership" choral ensemble. It is a non-auditioned choir that is open to all University students, faculty and staff, and area residents. The Choral Union attracts singers from a wide geographical area, and the broad appeal of its performances attracts capacity crowds. The choir, with more than 100 voices, is made up of singers from many academic disciplines, professions and occupations, and it specializes in the performance of significant choral/orchestral literature.

The Choral Union has been a component of the vocal music program at Southeast for years. The current "edition" began in 1988 with 28 singers and has, in a relatively short time, grown to its current membership size. The caliber and scope of literature has increased as dramatically as has its membership.

The Choral Union, which has met with resounding success in recent years, prepares a major work with orchestra each semester. Performances of such significant works as Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," Handel's "Messiah" and "Dettingen Te Deum," Rutter's "Requiem" and "Magnificat," Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," Hovhaness' "Magnificat" and Durufle's "Requiem," not only provide the community outstanding cultural events, but also provide area singers the opportunity to perform some of the world's greatest music.

Anyone interested in singing in the Choral Union should contact Egbert at (573) 651-2342 or the Department of Music office at (573) 651-2141. Regular Tuesday evening rehearsals will begin Jan. 21 for an early May performance of Haydn's "Creation."