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MESSIAH

An Oratorio by George F. Handel - Performance by the Nashville Community Choir 12/11/2022

Under the direction of Norman Tolk, Artistic Director

Church of Jesus Christ - 4304 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN

This concert is dedicated to Norman Tolk and the late Marilyn Tolk, who have devoted decades of their lives to making Handel's Messiah accessible to all. 

WELCOME by Nashville Community Choir President - Angie Owens

Invocation by Lisa Robins

MESSIAH

An Oratorio by George F. Handel

OVERTURE [1] p. 3 Schirmer Edition

RECITATIVE (Tenor) [2] p. 7

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:4)

AIR (Tenor) [3] p.10

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

CHORUS [4] p. 16

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5)

RECITATIVE (Bass) [5] p.24

Thus, saith the Lord of hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:6,7; Malachi 3:1)

AIR (Bass) [6] p. 27

But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. (Malachi 3:2)

CHORUS [7] p. 36

He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)

RECITATIVE (Alto) [8] p.47 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel; God with us. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

AIR (Alto) [9] p. 47 and CHORUS p. 54

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up

into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good

tidings to Jerusalem, lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen

upon thee. (Isaiah 40:9, 60:1)

CHORUS [12] p. 66

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE by Joseph Simonsen

PIFA (Pastoral Symphony) [13] p. 77

RECITATIVE (Soprano) [14] p. 79

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.  (Luke 2:8,9)

RECITATIVE (Soprano) [15] p. 80

And the angel said unto them: Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)

RECITATIVE (Soprano) [16] p. 81

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: (Luke 2:13)

CHORUS [17] p. 82

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth goodwill toward men. (Luke 2:14)

AIR (Soprano) [18] p. 87

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Savior, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. (Zechariah 9:9,10)

RECITATIVE (Alto) [19] p. 94

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:5,6)

AIR (Alto) [20] p. 94

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are young. (Isaiah 40:11)

AIR (Soprano) [20] p. 96

Come unto Him, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28,29)

CHORUS [21] p. 98

His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light. (Matt 11:30)

CHORUS [24] p. 113

Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. (Isaiah 53:4)

 

AIR (Tenor) [27] p. 131

All they that see him, laugh him to scorn. (Psalms 22:7)

 

CHORUS [28] p. 132

He trusted in God that he would deliver him. (Psalm 22:8)

 

CHORUS [33] p. 144

Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24: 7-10)

 

CHORUS [37] p. 163

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers. (Psalm 68: 11)

 

RECITATIVE (Tenor) [42] p. 189

He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn.

(Psalms 2:4)

 

AIR (Tenor) [43] p. 189

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Thou shalt dash them in pieces, like a potter's vessel. (Psalms 2:9)

 

CHORUS [44] p. 193

Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Halleluja (Revelations 19:6, 11:15, 19:16)

 

AIR (Soprano) [45] p. 204

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. (Job 14:25, 1 Cor. 15:20)

 

CHORUS [46] p. 210

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Cor.15:21, 22)

 

RECITATIVE (Bass) [47] p. 214

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. (I Cor. 15:51)

 

AIR (Bass and Trumpet) [48] p. 214

For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (I Cor. 15:52, 53)

 

RECITATIVE (Alto) [49] p. 222

Then shall be brought to pass. (I Cor. 15: 54)

 

DUET (Alto, Tenor) [50] p. 222

O death, where is thy sting? (1 Cor. 15: 55, 56)

 

CHORUS [51] p. 225

But thanks be to God (1 Cor. 15: 57)

 

CHORUS [53] p. 237

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And hast redeemed us to God by His blood. Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelations 5:12, 9, 13)

Benediction by Kenith Robins

Refreshments will be served at the back of the cultural hall following the performance.

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Janna Landry

ALTO

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Jodi Hill

SOPRANO

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Angie Owens

SOPRANO

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Scott Owens

BARITONE

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Josh Smith

TENOR

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David Kinman

BASS

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Lori Joffs

SOPRANO

SOPRANOS  Caitlyn Bradshaw, Keoni Brooks, Kat Brumit, Miranda Burnett, Angela Davis, Beth Hickey, Jodi Hill, Lori Joffs, Riley Joffs, Cynthia Kondratieff, Mary McKinley, Robbie Gean Miller, Angie Owens, Debra Pepper, Sylvia Phillips, Lisa Robins, LaDean Sobel, Bronwen Yoncak, Angie Zurawski, 

 

ALTOS  Brenda Alvira, Abbie Anderson, Annamilena Casariego, Anne Clark, Sheryl Edgeworth, Charlotte Gibbs, Rachel Hickey, Katie Holder, Cathy Jennings, Janna Landry, Sara Loomis, Amanda Maxwell, Jamie Miller, Julia Morbo, Paola Rayos, Lynne Reiter, Celeste Robins, Pam Runyan, Lisa Tolman, Robin Vahimian, 

 

TENORS  Chrishan AnketellDavid Kinman, Mike Eason, John Hansen, John Marsh, Lynn Perkes, Mike Runyan, Tim Witcher

BASSES  Joseph Cowden, Randall Davis, Phillip Dean, Clayton Gibbs, Matthew Gibson, Chris McNeill, Ben Meek, Adam Wilczek

INSTRUMENTALISTS  

CONCERT MISTRESS  Rose Edgerton

KEYBOARD  Pam Runyan, Katie Holder, Michael Runyan

VIOLIN  Katelyn Westergard, Ali Gooding, Emily Walden

VIOLA  Corey Starks

CELLO  Jasher Sutton, Ashley Martella
FLUTE  Ann Trubey

CLARINET  James Zimmerman, Sarah Whittin

STRING  BASS Matt Gibson

OBOE  Becca Keith

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