91st Annual Performance of the Independence Messiah Choir

The Independence Messiah Choir will once again be joined by the Kansas City Symphony for the 91st annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. November 17 will mark the second time the approximately 300-voice choir performs with the orchestra and its chorus. From 1916—when the Stone Church congregation’s chorus performed Handel’s Messiah with a mass choir for the church’s General Conference—through 2005, the church has organized a choir and orchestra to share the world’s best-known musical depiction of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as a Christmastime gift to the community. The beloved tradition of inspirational music continues on in new form.

Community of Christ will continue to coordinate the choir, and the performance will be included as part of the Kansas City Symphony’s regular season each year. Soloists for this year’s performance are Sarah Tannehill (soprano), Jennifer Holloway (mezzo-soprano), Alan Bennett (tenor), and Joshua Winograde (bass). Conducting the concert will be Kansas City Symphony’s assistant conductor, Damon Gupton. Seats can now be reserved for the Saturday, November 17, performance, to be held at 8:00 p.m. at the Community of Christ Auditorium. Tickets are available from the Kansas City Symphony box office at (816) 471-0400 and are priced at $35, $25, $20, and $10. Tickets for youth 18 and under are $12. Group discounts are available for purchases of 10 tickets or more.

The Independence Messiah Choir is always happy to find new members for the annual performance. Auditions will be held beginning Tuesday, September 4, and are by appointment only. For further information on auditions, visit http://www.CofChrist.org/Messiah/audition-info.asp or call (816) 833-1000, ext. 2359.