Hallelujah: Classic Choral Society presents two performances of ‘Messiah'

MONROE - The 70 voices of Orange County’s Classic Choral Society, with orchestra and soloists, will present two free performances of Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. at the historic Blooming Grove United Church of Christ and on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen. Blooming Grove United Church of Christ is located on Route 94 at Old Dominion Road between Washingtonville and Chester. The concerts are open to the public without charge, and free parking is available at both concert venues. Free-will donations are gratefully accepted to offset production costs. This holiday season, artistic director and long-time Monroe resident Janiece Kohler will conduct “Messiah” Part 1 (the “Christmas portion”) in its entirety and finales to Part 2 (“Hallelujah Chorus) and Part 3 (“Amen Chorus”). This year the Choral Society will have local professional soloists for the concerts: soprano Jody Weatherstone of Warwick; mezzo-soprano Kristine MacMillin from Campbell Hall; tenor Nicholas Di Virgilio, formerly of Highland Mills, now residing in New York City; and bass Ron DeFesi of the Village of Florida. Classic Choral Society, whose membership is open to all singers - at any level of experience - without audition, has been presenting concerts free of charge to audiences in Orange County since 1959. One of its main goals is to bring “classic” (though not necessarily “classical”) music of professional quality to the community. The group is dedicated to performing excellent choral music, renewing each singer’s personal appreciation of it, instilling in the membership a spirit of dedication and a sincere desire to excel, to the end goal of cultivation of public interest in choral music. Classic Choral Society has been federally designated a non-profit organization, 501(c) 3. Information about the organization, its history, its programs and membership may be found at www.classicchoraisociety.org. Director Kohler also can be reached at home, 845-783-6030.