The Bluebonnet Chorus is presenting a holiday performance of George F. Handel’s Messiah at First United Methodist Church, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
The University Chorale will perform along with the Bluebonnet Chorus. Before the Messiah, the Chorale will perform a selection by Bach.
The group is one of the hidden treasures that Texas A&M University-Commerce, along with surrounding communities, has offered since 2001.
Bluebonnet Chorus includes members of the student body, faculty, and singers from the community. Currently the membership is more than 60 participants.
It is easy to become a member of the singing group.
“To participate in Bluebonnet chorus you must 1) enjoy singing, and 2) commit to 75 percent of the preparatory rehearsals before a performance,” Dr. Christopher White, music department head, said. “The Chorus offers a unique opportunity for members of the community and university community to interact in an artistic endeavor. It is a wonderful fellowship of disparate backgrounds.”
The Bluebonnet Chorus’ performance of the Messiah will feature several soloists from the university community and also the surrounding community.
Soloists from the University are faculty members Roger Bryant and Darla meek. Student soloists are Kayli Davis, Cassandra LaRue, Destiny Whitley, and Heather White.
Soloists from the community are Andrew Seigrist, Cynthia Whitaker, and Karen Starks.
Programs are selected from the classic choral repertoire for chorus and orchestra by the conductor. According to White, in the past years the chorus has performed music by Bach, Brahms, Bernstein, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, and Vaughan Williams.
The members of the chorus pay a small fee each season that is used to cover costs of the orchestra. This provides the members of the chorus a musical experience that is quite unlike any other.
The chorus practices one evening per week, for an hour-and-a-half, in the weeks leading up to a performance.
Members from the Bluebonnet Chorus will also be performing in the Stars Over Commerce Concert. An octet from the group will be performing Christmas carols at various spots along the course of the evening. White explains why the integration of the Bluebonnet Chorus with a University event is important.
“As Commerce begins to grow with the expanding Metroplex, the challenge for both the university administration and city officials will be to integrate the two cultures. The Bluebonnet Chorus may serve as a shining example of the benefits of a campus life activity that engages both,” White said.
What should an audience prepare for when coming to a Bluebonnet Chorus performance? According to White, Audiences can expect to hear great music performed by talented, well-prepared musicians… all having a great deal of fun!