Ashland Area Chorus Begins Rehearsals Jan. 13

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Moore Slade, announces their spring schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts. This semester the Chorus will perform Beethoven's triumphal 9th Symphony with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for their "Ode to Our 50th" concert on April 18 at Archer Auditorium.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets " icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Annual Festival of Lights Service, 12/8

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 29th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 8 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Rob and Kim Pool, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The Ashland University Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Elizabeth Slade directs the Ashland Area Chorus and Deborah Logan, the Women’s Chorus. Dr. Timothy Guenther, Susan Gregg and Jedidiah McFadden will accompany the choirs on organ and piano.

Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Duruflé, Praetorius, Purifoy, Vivaldi, Culloton, and Stopford.

Fall Choral Concert, Oct. 27

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert with an eclectic program centered around the theme of hope, happiness and security including Handel's "Sing unto God," Duruflé’s Requiem along with the Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" as sung by The Wailin’ Jennys and much more. The concert will be held on Sunday, October 27 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir with accompaniment by Dr. Timothy Guenther. Their portion of the program will include“San’bonani,” a traditional IsiZulu welcome song arranged by Michael Barrett; the festive music of Lloyd Pfautsch and the joyful poetry of Joseph Addison together in the choral fanfare “Consecrate the Place and Day;” and “Behold, How Good” by Michael John Trotta.

The program continues with Jake Runestad's “Please Stay” which is a simple but dramatic piece that was commissioned by a consortium of Ohio universities including Ashland University; along with a motet imploring God’s peace by the Baroque composer Heinrich Schütz; Handel's “Sing unto God;” and the upbeat traditional spiritual “Walk Together, Children” arranged by Moses Hogan.

Directed by Deborah Logan and accompanied by Susan Gregg, the Women's chorus' selections will include Douglas Wagner's arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Linden Lea;" "As the Rain Hides the Stars" by Elaine Hagenberg; and the Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" as sung by The Wailin’ Jennys.

For the Ashland Area Chorus, director Elizabeth Slade has selected Maurice Duruflé's Requiem. Written for a solo voice, mixed choir, and organ, the Requiem's thematic material is mostly taken from the Mass for the Dead in Gregorian chant.

Ashland Area Chorus Begins Rehearsals, 8/26

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Moore Slade, announces their fall schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Blackley to Conduct Annual "Pops in the Park"

The Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell at Ashland City's Brookside Park will host its annual "Pops in the Park" concert by the Ashland Symphony Orchestra  and Ashland Area Chorus on Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m. 

Under the direction of Dr. Ron Blackley, audience members will have the chance to sing along to popular movie musical numbers from “Mamma Mia!,” “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.” The concert will also include several patriotic pieces in honor of Independence Day including the “Armed Forces Salute,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful” and two marches by John Philip Sousa: “Semper Fidelis” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The symphony will bring back the “1812 Overture” featuring mock cannon fire from Civil War Battery D from the 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Audience members will be provided with paper bags and sparklers to set off during the performance as well.

From 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., ASO’s instrument petting zoo will be open to participants of all ages
interested in learning about different musical instruments.

Freewill donations will be collected during the performance which will benefit both the ASO and Band Shell.

In the event of inclement weather the concert will be moved to Ashland High School’s Archer
Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Sing with AAC & ASO for Independence Day

The Ashland Area Chorus, a non-auditioned mixed choir of 40-60 participants, invites local singers to join them for the short summer session and to perform with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. The 4-week rehearsal schedule begins on June 3 and continues for four consecutive Mondays including: June 3, 10, 17, 24. Each rehearsal is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Ashland University in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building). The session will conclude on Sunday, June 30 with a live performance of light, popular, and patriotic tunes with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for the Pops In the Park concert at Brookside Park Band Shell.

The Chorus is open to the entire Ashland community and beyond, with previous singers travelling from Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties. Previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged. While there are no strict age limits, singers under 18 must be approved by the director. There is no cost to the singer for the summer session.

The AAC performs in several concerts each year on the AU campus and with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Recent appearances have included a stand-alone presentation of the Dvořák Mass in D Minor, subscription concerts with the ASO (including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah), Ashland University choral concerts (including Handel's Messiah and the Brahms Requiem) and summer pops concerts in the park.

Current members should encourage their talented friends and neighbors to attend the first summer rehearsal to join this unique community opportunity. For further information, please contact the AU Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Ron Blackley, at rblackle@ashland.edu or (419) 289-5114. Or, simply show up on June 3.

Chorus Rehearsals Begin Jan. 7

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Slade, announces their spring schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, January 7, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

This semester the Chorus will perform choruses from Verdi's Il Travatore, La Traviata, Nabucco and Aida with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra at their April 13 concert at Archer Auditorium.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Spring 2019 Music Events

A full listing of Ashland University Department of Music events for the Spring 2019 semester is now available online at Ashland.edu/Music. From rehearsals for the Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Area Community Concert Band to the Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival -- the listing includes many performances which are free and open to the public.

Festival of Lights, Dec. 9

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 28th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 9 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Mark and Cathy Britton, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The Ashland University Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Elizabeth Slade directs the Ashland Area Chorus and Julie Strebler-Renner, the Women’s Chorus. Dr. Timothy Guenther and Susan Gregg will accompany the choirs on organ and piano.

Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Victoria, Biebl, Whitacre, Leavitt, Powell and Whalum.

Fall Choral Concert, Sunday, Oct. 14

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert with an eclectic program ranging from a sea chantey, to a Serbian gypsy dance, folk and art songs as well as sacred compositions. The concert will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, professor of Music and director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir with accompaniment by Dr. Timothy Guenther. Their portion of the program based on the theme of "Time and Place" will include Locus iste ("This place was made by God”) by Anton Bruckner, Time from “Choral Dance from Gloriana” by Benjamin Britten, I dream a world by Dave Brubeck, When memory fades as arranged by Eric Nelson, Sure on this shining night by Morten Lauridsen, and Shawn Kirchner's arrangement of the Kenyan folk song Wana Baraka.

Directed by Ashland University alumna Julie Strebler-Renner and accompanied by Susan Gregg, the Women’s chorus’ selections begin with the Canadian folk song Savory, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme as arranged by Donald Patriquin, followed by Daniel Elder’s Lullaby, Jacob Narverud’s Dominus vobiscum and the Serbian gypsy dance Niska Banja, arranged by Nick Page.

For the Ashland Area Chorus, director Elizabeth Slade has selected pieces following the theme "Viking Seas: Music from Iceland and other ports of call." The chorus will begin with Heyr, himna smithur ("Hear, Heaven’s maker what the poet bids.”) by Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson, followed by Heyr thú oss himnum á ("Hear us in heaven“) by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and end with the sea chantey Drunken Sailor arranged by Jonathan Willcocks.

Ashland Area Chorus Invites Singers to Rehearsals Beginning Aug. 27

As it enters its 21st anniversary season, the Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Slade, announces its fall schedules including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 27, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

AAC’s theme this semester is Viking Seas: Music from Iceland and other ports of call. Performances will include AU’s Fall Choral Concert on Oct. 14 and Festival of Lights on Dec. 9.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble’s director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

ASO & Area Chorus Perform This Sunday

The Ashland Symphony Orchestra and the Ashland Area Chorus perform their annual Pops in the Park concert this Sunday, July 1 at 8 p.m. in the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell at Brookside Park. The concert will feature all of your patriotic favorites along with special effects from the Civil War Battery D, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, sparklers and paper bag cannons.

Vocalists Invited to Sing in ASO Pops in the Park Concert

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), a non-auditioned mixed choir of 40-60 participants, invites local singers to join them for a short summer session and to perform with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. The 4-week rehearsal schedule meets for four consecutive Mondays including: June 4, 11, 18 and 25. Each rehearsal is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Ashland University in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building). The session will conclude on Sunday, July 1 with a live performance of light, popular, and patriotic tunes with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for the Pops In the Park concert at Brookside Park Band Shell.

The Chorus is open to the entire Ashland community and beyond, with previous singers travelling from Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties. Previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged. While there are no strict age limits, singers under 18 must be approved by the director. There is no cost to the singer for the summer session.

The AAC performs in several concerts each year on the AU campus and with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Recent appearances have included a stand-alone presentation of the Dvořák Mass in D Minor, subscription concerts with the ASO (including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah), Ashland University choral concerts (including Handel's Messiah and the Brahms Requiem) and summer pops concerts in the park.

Current members should encourage their talented friends and neighbors to attend the first summer rehearsal to join this unique community opportunity. For further information, please contact the AU Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Ron Blackley, at rblackle@ashland.edu or (419) 289-5114. Or, simply show up on June 4.

AU Choirs Singing with ASO

On Saturday, April 28, the Ashland University Choir and Ashland Area Chorus will combine into a choir of 110 singers to perform selections from Handel's Solomon with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for their "Romantic April" program. The 48th season finale concert will also feature soloist Sarina Zhang on piano for Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1, op. 25, G minor; and on cello for Saint-Saens' Violoncello Concerto, No. 1, op. 33, A minor. In addition, the Orchestra will perform Liszt's Les Preludes.

As ASO's Maestro Lipsky has been invited to be the guest conductor for the World-class Korean Broadcasting System Symphony Orchestra this week, the "Romantic April" concert will feature two guest conductors including AU Music's Dr. Rowland Blackley and Oberlin College's Raphael Jiménez.

Tickets are available through the ASO office at 419.289.5125 or their website at AshlandSymphony.org, as well as the AU Box Office at 419.289.5125.

Festival of Lights Holiday Services, Dec. 10

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 27th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 10 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Jim and Margaret Hess, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The Ashland University Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Elizabeth Slade directs the Ashland Area Chorus and Julie Strebler-Renner, the Women’s Chorus. Dr. Timothy Guenther and Susan Gregg will accompany the choirs on organ and piano.

Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Clausen, Mendelssohn, Rutter, Vaughan Williams, Pinkham, Saint-Saens, and Whalum.

Choral Concert Presents Three Vocal Ensembles, Oct. 29

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert program ranging from a sacred cantata to madrigals, contemporary songs about the strength of women, spirituals and compositions from early English composers. The eclectic concert will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir. Their portion of the program will include “Rejoice in the Lamb,” a cantata by Benjamin Britten with text by Christopher Smart. This highly dramatic work ultimately focuses on all things worshipping their Creator, venturing from near silence to rollicking dance, from seeming chaos to quiet serenity. Organist for the piece is Dr. Timothy Guenther, while vocal soloists include Grace Fumic, Hannah Wise, Corey Turpin and Michael Cowan. The Choir will also sing "Ecco mormorar l’onde" by Claudio Monteverdi. This famous madrigal is an extended and evocative description of a sunrise, with poetry by Torquato Tasso, a sixteenth-century Italian writer. To round-out their portion of the concert, the choir will present “Her Sacred Spirit Soars” by the living composer Eric Whitacre. It is a structurally complex but sonically astounding piece that divides into fourteen different voice parts at times.

Directed by Ashland University alumna Julie Strebler-Renner, the Women's chorus' selections will follow a theme of strength and hope including  "Be Like the Bird" by Abbie Betinis based on her perseverance through cancer treatments, "Warrior" by Kim Baryluk in response to violence against women, Deborah Lutz's African American spiritual "O Nata Lux" and Barbara Baker's gospel "The Storm Is Passing Over." Susan Gregg is the piano accompanist for the Women's Chorus as well as the Ashland Area Chorus.

For the Ashland Area Chorus, director Elizabeth Slade has selected songs by 16th and 17th century English composers Thomas Tallis, Thomas Morely and Orlando Gibbons.

Choral Concert Presents Songs of Hope and Renewal

On Sunday, March 26 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, a spring choral concert will present a program titled "Deep Peace: Songs of Hope and Renewal." The concert will feature selections from the Ashland University Women's Chorus under the direction of Kimberly Wolbert, and the Ashland Area Chorus, directed by Elizabeth Slade, along with a joint performance by the two ensembles at the end of the concert of John Rutter's A Gaelic Blessing.

Accompanied by Susan Gregg on piano, the Women's Chorus will sing Jubilate Deo by Rebecca te Velde, Pur Ti Mior edited by Dr. Ann Small and Hope Is the Thing with Feathers by Susan LaBarr based on the text by Emily Dickinson. A special ensemble comprised of Victoria Miller, Keeleigh Myers, Morgan Tinnirello along with soloist BeBe Ciupak and percussionist Dave Wolbert will perform the traditional Swahili song Nishike mkono Bwana as arranged by Alex Gartner.

Ashland Area Chorus will present Carl Schalk's arrangement of Mendelssohn's Grant Peace, We Pray, Ubi caritas, No.1 from Quatre motets sur des thèmes grégoriens by Maurice Duruflé, Alice Parker's arrangement of Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, and Moses Hogan's I'm Gonna Sing 'Til the Spirit Moves In My Heart featuring tenor soloist Tyler McKinney. 

Ashland Area Chorus Accepting New Members

Entering its eighteenth season, the Ashland Area Chorus (AAC) is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

Rehearsals for the fall semester begin Monday, August 29 from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts and continue at the same time on subsequent Mondays, but will not meet on Labor Day.

This fall, the chorus will perform Dvořák's Mass in D on Sunday, November 13 at 4 p.m in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The chorus will also perform at Ashland University's annual Festival of Lights service on December 11.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director.  A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/music by clicking on the "Buy Tickets & Memberships" icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.  

Ashland Area Chorus Invites Locals to Sing in Abbreviated Summer Session

The Ashland Area Chorus, a non-auditioned mixed choir of 40-60 participants, invites local singers to join them for the short summer session and to perform with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. The 4-week rehearsal schedule begins on June 6 and continues for four consecutive Mondays including: June 6, 13, 20, 27. Each rehearsal is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Ashland University in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building). The session will conclude on Sunday, July 3 with a live performance of light, popular, and patriotic tunes with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for the Pops In the Park concert at Brookside Park Band Shell.

The Chorus is open to the entire Ashland community and beyond, with previous singers travelling from Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties. Previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged. While there are no strict age limits, singers under 18 must be approved by the director. There is no cost to the singer for the summer session.

The AAC performs in several concerts each year on the AU campus and with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Recent appearances have included subscription concerts with the ASO (including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah), Ashland University choral concerts (including Handel's Messiah and the Brahms Requiem) and summer pops concerts in the park.

Current members should encourage their talented friends and neighbors to attend the first summer rehearsal to join this unique community opportunity. For further information, please contact the AU Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Ron Blackley, at rblackle@ashland.edu or (419) 289-5114. Or, simply show up on June 6.

Tickets on Sale for Handel's Messiah, Nov. 22

The Department of Music at Ashland University is proud to present George Frideric Handel's holiday masterpiece, Messiah, performed by the Ashland University Choir, Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Chamber Orchestra with Dr. Rowland Blackley as conductor on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre.

As the most famous oratorio ever written, Messiah is a collection of texts drawn from the sacred scriptures dealing with Christ’s birth, sufferings, death and resurrection. Best known for its "Hallelujah" chorus, the choral piece also features several well-loved recitatives and arias sung by soloists.

Dr. Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Ashland University, previously presented Handel’s Messiah at Ashland University in 2005 and 2010.  While conducting the University Choir and Chamber Singers, he also teaches in the areas of conducting and music education. He directs the annual Madrigal Feaste and has served as conductor and music director for several Ashland University theatrical productions. Ashland Area Chorus director Elizabeth Slade and staff accompanist Susan Gregg have assisted in preparing vocalists for the concert.

With over 100 musicians on the Hugo Young Theatre stage, Ashland University’s presentation will feature a professional orchestra including University organist Timothy Guenther on harpsichord along with University trumpet students Nik Psota (Hinckley) and Hannah Phillips (Plymouth).

Vocal solos will be performed by sopranos Abigale Brady (Ashtabula), Gracie Fumic (Avon), Elisha Hofer (Sandusky) and Fatima Imani Smith (Akron).  Alto soloists feature Sarah Napier (Willard) and Eryn Reynolds Tramel (Medina).  Male soloists are represented by tenor Corey Turpin (Ashland) and Timothy Johnson (a professionally trained vocalist from the Ashland Area Chorus); while baritones include Deric Dove (Newark) and Jake Riley (Wooster).

Reserved seating tickets for the performance are $8.00 for adults; $6.00 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students, Ashland University faculty, staff and alumni; and $1.00 for Ashland University students. To purchase tickets, call the Ashland University Central Box Office at 419-289-5125, Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets.