Landmark 'Messiah' performance raises funds for MSU music scholarships
On Jan. 5, Donald Andrews, treasurer of the Heritage Singers men’s chorus, and Karen Brunner Wright, president of the Voices of Note women’s chorus, presented David Fuller, president of Minot State University, with a $5,796 check. The check, which is from the proceeds of a landmark "Messiah" concert, will go to the Joseph Hegstad Music Scholarship and the John Strohm Music Scholarship.
"After decades of university and community cooperation, the tradition continues to grow," said Ken Bowles, chair of the MSU Division of Music and professor of music.
This year’s concert commemorated the 100th anniversary of Minot's first performance of George Frideric Handel’s "Messiah" and the 250th anniversary of the Handel’s death. Bowles conducted the choir of 270 local and area singers and a combined MSU and community orchestra. Initially, concert organizers had hoped to enlist at least 250 singers.
This joint venture also celebrated the legacies of John Strohm and Joseph Hegstad, professor emeriti. Strohm was instrumental in organizing several community performances of the "Messiah" held at the Minot Municipal Auditorium, the site of this year's performance. Hegstad was the founding director of the Heritage Singers and Voices of Note.
For additional information, contact Mark Schnabel, development officer, at 858-4243 or mark.schnabel@minotstateu.edu.
01/06/10