Centenary, Asbury UMC team up for Christmas in North Bossier

Centenary College Camerata

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) — The Centenary Camerata, the premier choral ensemble of Centenary College in conjunction with the Asbury United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, will present George Frideric Handel's Messiah Sunday, Dec. 5 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Bossier City church.

Under the direction of Dr. Julia Thorn, professor of music at the College, the Chancel Choir and Camerata will combine to perform a 100-voice choir, and will join a full orchestra of local symphony players with four professional soloists for this performance.

Featured soloists will be soprano Melanie Russell of New York, alto Missy Wise of Shreveport, tenor Chris Hutchinson of Baton Rouge and bass Matthew J. Daniels of Baton Rouge.

Handel's Messiah is one of the most popular works in the Western choral literature. Messiah is classified as an oratorio, or a choral work that is similar to an opera but with a Scripturally-based text and performed without dramatic enactment. The work consists of three sections. The first part sets Scriptural texts of prophecy regarding the coming Messiah (Hebrew term for King). The second part sets Scriptural texts that demonstrate how Christ fulfilled those prophecies. The third part deals with the life of the Christian, who no longer looks for the Messiah's first coming, but instead for His return.

Although the work was conceived for secular theatre and first performed during Lent, it has become common practice since Handel's death to perform Messiah during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season, rather than in Lent or at Easter and is often performed in churches as well as in concert halls.

The performance will take place at Asbury United Methodist Church located at 3200 Airline Dr., Bossier City. Asbury plans to make Christmas in North Bossier an annual tradition.

Admission for the performance is free, however a ticket is required for entry. Tickets are available at Good Eats Market and Café, and Chick-fil-A (Airline Dr. locations).

For more information please contact Adam Philley at 318.746.5349

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 373 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.