By Allison Jones 04.16.2014

Seeger Chapel was nearly filled to capacity last weekend with both campus and community members anxious to hear the Milligan College concert choir and orchestra join with three local church choirs to perform Handel’s “Messiah.”

 

“I was very anxious to come and hear this,” said Elizabethton citizen Scott Reynolds, who attended the concert with his wife, Dathia.

 

“It was obviously a huge undertaking and a huge amount of work,” he said. “We do not get to hear enough of the ‘Messiah,’ and this performance definitely did not disappoint. It was utterly amazing.”

 

The event took place on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Milligan, Central Baptist Church, Grandview Christian Church and Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church choirs performed to a song selection composed by George Frederic Handel. The event featured the sermons of John Henry Newton, an 18th century English cleric and hymn writer.

 

The combined choirs put in many strenuous hours of dedication. The Milligan Concert Choir alone put in nearly 35 extra hours of commitment, not including the practices during class time throughout the week.

 

Their hard work did not go unnoticed. Milligan students, faculty, staff and community members alike were all very impressed with the portrayal of these timeless pieces.

 

“I have really enjoyed myself tonight,” said Milligan sophomore John Steadman. “I am amazed with what such high quality they have been able to arrange the Sermons of Newton with Handel’s “Messiah” so seamlessly so that it captures the truth, beauty, and timelessness behind them both. We have been truly blessed to be here.”

 

“I was overall very impressed with the execution of the concert,” said Milligan junior Jarrett Ramsey. “Although I originally just came for SFP credit, I actually thoroughly enjoyed myself. The choirs did an outstanding job.”

 

At least 26 songs were performed on both nights, including famed hymns such as “And With His Stripes” (Isaiah 53:5) and “Hallelujah” (Revelation 11:15, 19:6, 16).Many members of the audience found it very hard to name just one selection that they favored more highly than the others.

 

“There is no way I could pick a favorite song of the evening,” said Milligan humanities professor Dr. Robert Wetzel. “It was an absolutely beautiful performance. I can only hope that God is allowing Dean Walker, the President that built this building, to observe and listen to this performance. He would be so proud of how it is being used, especially tonight.”