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Show 2A Emery County Progress Tuesday, December 6, 1988 1MNG GDUEMTIY Among Christmas traditions is the Messiah by ELIZABETH HANSON Staff writer Behold, the Lamb of God of the world. After reading a text of Christs mission on earth, that taketh away the sins George Frederick Handel recognized a transcendent theme for an oratorio and the creative juices started to boil. Barricading himself in his home with order, and subsisting mostly on the juices aided by a crust of bread or two bolted in a hurry, he worked himself into a spiritual high with God Almighty as partner. Through 24 illuminated nights and days, linked to the charge, he played at the harpsichord, sang, and wrote 50 pieces on staffed paper, using a quill pen dipped in ink, blotted out some notes. He wrote like a speed demon barreling down the course. All his life of ups and downs, (and he was then on a down careerwise) he had gained the musicology to mix and match voices and instruments in solid statements and a provocative counterpoint style that was ever stimulating. He brought forth a composition destined to influence mankind forever and ever. But at the end of the three week genius orgy, he collapsed on the bed, The utterly spent. manuscripts lay untouched for weeks until he was bidden to do a performance at Dublin, Ireland. He personally conducted the benefit performance and the gate receipts of $1800 were divided among his pet charities. He donated regulary to a home for homeless and abused children, destitute adults and prisoners in jail to make their lives better. He hoped people hearing his Messiah would be bettered, not just entertained. He insisted on presenting the oratorio in music halls, hospitals and even buildings public when churches were offered. He took flak for that stand but held to it, maintaining also that any time of the year was perfect for The Messiah. However through the ensuing Messiah years the per- formance has been focused about Christmas. In Emery was The Messiah the at Stake Emery presented Academy about 1911 under the direction of King Driggs, principal and noted musician. Much musical talent at the local level was enlisted. Little is recorded of other County Save up to 30 on Bernina Sewing Machines Ci710(TT?lf,',7I and Sergers now thru Christmas "FEDS" Police Academy corned; Tin fomous Bmitu tension ensures perfect stitches on an; fabric Sew Much of the FBI ends Dec. 8 Better- - CARROLL'S BERNINA 894 E. 100 N., Price DIMIL l"es BERNINA E 637-027- 8 saves n Christcias Offer good vrtvtoeuppbes lest This offer ts exclusive trade-indiscounts or any other offers. Of CHRISTMAS SPECIALS have arrived at THE PLANT SHACK IN Castle Dale Christmas Centerpieces, Wreaths, Poinsettias 20 off all items in stock Preferred Provider For BOTH Blue Cross Blue Messiah performances in the county until the year 1979 when two mothers, of notable artistic expertise, were asked to head an LDS stake presentation. The mantle fell upon Eileen Seegmiller Lofthouse as conductor and Margaret Mae Hanny Fielding as organ accompanist. Eileen was born at Cedar City to Winston and Ruby Anderson Seegmiller on Oct. 1, 1947. She was singing Indian Summer and Four Ducks on a Pond at 11 years old. At 11 she sang the Hansel and Gretal lullaby at recital. Meantime she was increasing skills on the piano. I heard The Messiah over and over again as a child. I played the cello in the orchestra for seven years. I practically memorized the bass part from playing the cello in the orchestra. And I learned the tenor from conducting the choir because the tenor is so high and so difficult I had to learn it before I could help the tenor. As a result the tenor part is my favorite. I sing either soprano or alto. I have been told my voice range is not bass. With that background and support from Margaret, who will be in the limelight next week, the two contacted choir directors through out the stake, asking that they teach the choirs two choruses every month. The starting date was March. They told the choir to keep going all through the summer although most choirs usually disbanded during the summer months. The stake rehearsals began weekly throughout April, June and August. By September rehearsals were being held twice a week. The 11 soloists, all local, were being coached to do justice to the arias and recitatives. Dennis Bacon was enlisted to play The Trumpets Shall Sound. In rural areas it is often impossible to pull off this selection for lack of qualified instrumentalists. It was a most glorious performance that cold December night (Dec. 7, 1979). It was certainly one of the most cultural events that Emery County had ever experienced. It brought a very special spiritual feeling to the audience of. 500 people enjoying the magnificent strains of Handels Messiah. That Christmas season seemed to have a less commercial air to it and we all seemed a little more aware of the birth of our Savior and the true spirit of the season. We paid a price for our excellence. A huge amount of time was expanded on soloists and choirs, I remember vividly, but what more could one ask than to be involved in spreading forth a newness of spirit at that time of the year. I will always be most grateful for my role in bringing the great oratorio in to the county. The second performance a year latter on Dec. 8. The only difference was rehearsals began in October because of the previous years teachings. Yet soloists were working on their songs in followed September. I have always felt a little awe at the richness of the talent that is in the county. It is hard to understand the difficulty of putting The Messiah together and how many hours are involved. The choir was a little smaller and the audience smaller, about 350. Still the experience was glorious. Both young mothers, busy with small children, teaching piano and involved in many other activities were exhausted at the end of each season. They were not unhappy when the decision was made to hold The Messiah every other year. In the third year Dec. 3, 1982 Eileen said she could have written in her journal that the choir sang with unity and the performance was flawless. nearly A conductor has a monumental task to do credit to George, who must be basking in reflected glory from on high. No one can be involved with The Messiah without feeling his influence. The role of conductor was accepted by another busy but qualified young mother, Emma Jo Priggemeier, for the 1984 edition of Messiah. Cynthia Grant and Karen Dellos were Rod piano accompanists. Rippon, high school band teacher, was enlisted as trumpeter. Sandra Jensen, Elizabeth Fuller, Ginger Humphrey and Arlene Snow were soprano soloists. Norma Price and Alice Israelsen sang the alto solos. Ted Allen did the tenor air while Robby Robertson, Allan Sharp and David Daniels did the bass airs. Emma Jo enlisted a string orchestra to play the prelude and pastorale symphony. In the orchestra were, Larraine Snow and Janice Myers, 1st violin; Irene Allred and Ludene Jewkes, 2nd violin; Eileen Lofthouse and Norma Price, cello; and Nadene Nibley and Kathleen Olsen, viola. Olsen served as concertmistress. The performance again won much praise. As traditional all arose at the start of the Shield Value Care AND For Electric Mutual to give Better Service to the Patient ------ ---- aim asms murcTMi aw eaaoiiiEsmgaanaBEi In 1986 Bryce Wilson, choir teacher, long associated with The Messiah as a singer and soloist coach accepted the conductor reponsibilites. He set rehearsals for twice a week. Rod Rippon played the trumpet as an innovation, and to make rehearser for the choir at Blackfoot, Idaho. The Messiah Directing was a spiritual experience that will last a lifetime. I used to tell the choir that they may have forgotten how they all used to sing in heaven, but to shout for joy like they meant it. Music comes from heaven. It is a gift we can give. The next year, in 1985, the off year, the American Cancer Society headed by Joann Taylor and Ginny Eobertson talked Wayne Erickson into conducting a sing on Dec. 8 at the high school auditorium. Enlisted as pianists were Eileen Lofthouse and Cynthia Grant. The audience was sparse. There were no soloists, but the singer who walked in had an exhilarating, fun experience. ,, Some communities feature The Messiah every year the long practice periods and still reiterate Handels message, but Emerys one try at a sing-i- n would have to be classified as a flop Some funds were gathered as a voluntary to the cancer fight. use and later as organizer audien-cewis- Headaches, Dizziness, Blurred Vision 2. Neck Pain, Tight Muscles, Spasms 3. Shoulder Pain, Pain Down Arms, Numbness in Hands. 4. Pain between Shoulders, BARGAIN STORE! Thrift store shopping is more fun at Deseret Industries! You'll find bargains that really are bargains ... the kind that won't clean out the bank account! Ail items are cleaned, pressed and refurbished by the elderly, handicapped and others in need. Holiday Dresses 5. Lower Back pain, Pain Down Legs the BYU connection to accompany them. The polished performance of all concerned rose to heights probably never before ex- perienced. This year The Messiah will take place Dec. 18 at the Castle Dale Stake center probably at 5 to 5:30 p.m. The time rests upon the trumpeter. Amanda Mor-tens- and ability to do a classic rendition of the trumpet sound, but she is committed to play for a performance at Price later in the evening. Guest soloists from the Provo area, probably BYU students, . will be accompanied by Mack '" ' . Wilberg. . Unquestionably package, Bryce conducting the choir, Margaret at the organ, Mack at the piano for solo accompaniments and the four soloists whose names and e. backgrounds will be given next week will attract an overflow crowd. con-tibuti- on F erron woman to conduct march The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Southern Utah Division recently named a Ferron woman as the 1989 Mothers March Emery County leader. Ginette Bunderson was chosen because of her energy and dedication to serving the said Doreen community, Hendrickson, March of Dimes staff member in charge of Mothers March. We expect great things from her According to Hendrickson, a county leaders duties include: overseeing the recruiting of volunteer mothers who walk in their neighdoor-to-do- or borhoods, collecting "WERE MAKING IT AFFORDABLE TO BE HEALTHY MOST INSURANCE COVERS CHIROPRACTIC 637-482- 2 Belonging... Its a commitment you make to caring, showing the way. Bureau Family, too. The commitment to provide strength and security for your family, your home, your life. Deseret Industries Thrift Store mb'11 UTAH FARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE CO. SALT LAKE CITY, family of Financial planning services UTAH Deseret Industries is a federally approved sheltered workthose who are elderty, handicapped or in shop. Its people need reclaim donated goods. EMERY COUNTY CARE 637-482- 8 55 North 600 East, Price of the Bookcliff Medical Center). south (Just Hours: p.m. Or by appointment. raised funds and generally managing the event for the county. Emery County has set $2,750 as their goal for 1989. Each year, with the help of women such as Ginette Bunderson, Utah continues to be one of the most effective Mothers March states. 845 East Main SCOVILLE CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE the total Dolls and Toys Socks Decorative Tins, Baskets, and Glassware Games For The Family Open 9:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. en has the short trumpet Jewelry Dressy Blouses Difficult Breathing Abdominal Pains of through Mack Wilberg, he arranged for Mack to select college students as soloists and ...ATTHE GIFT GIVING ITEMS DANGER SIGNALS OF PINCHED NERVES: 1. Hallelujah chorus. King George II rose too when he heard the premiere in 1743. The crowd followed suit. Emma Jos interest in The Messiah was sparked in high school days as accompanist and Thats the commitment of the Farm - 1 Margaret Fielding 381-289- 5 Castle Dale |