We are proud to announce or plans for a Sunday, June 27, 2021, 3:00 PM  Baroque Concert to be held at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center at 1200 Spring Street, Michigan City  The Baroque Concert is a first for MC Messiah in its 56-year history.  At this concert, the Chorus will be joining together in presenting Vivaldi’s Gloria with small chorus and soloist. Kimberly Jones, soprano and Kristin Gornstein, mezzo soprano will be soloists. Pat Lee will provide accompaniment.  Nic Orbovich, MC Messiah Concertmaster will be violin soloist.

Philip J. Bauman, MC Messiah Music Director says, “In the grand tradition of great oratorio societies, Michigan City Messiah is branching out to explore great choral masterworks. For over 55 years, the organization has been presenting Messiah on an annual basis. We’ve done an amazing job year after year. When considering the level of talent and enthusiasm the choir possesses, I felt the time had come to branch out and explore more repertoire. What a shame to limit our activities to just once a year.”

Also included on this program with the the G. F. Handel’s Coronation Anthems “Zadok the Priest” and “Let Thy Hand be Strengthened”.  Bauman says “It’s been a blossoming relationship that deserves to be heard more often and in different repertoire. I absolutely adore the Coronation Anthems by Handel. I absolutely adore our chorus.  I’ve picked my favorite two out of the four. I’d been secretly imagining that we might add one of them to our annual Messiah Concerts but now those dreams are a reality as we pair them up with the magnificent Vivaldi Gloria in June.”

  With Covid-19 restrictions in place, the Chorus for this event has been restricted to invitation only, with between 8-12 per section with social distanced and masked rehearsals.  The Holdcraft Performing Arts Center on Franklin St. in Michigan City offers the Chorus ample room to distance the Chorus as well as ample room for 250 persons in the audience to also distance.  There will be only one performance of this concert with an open dress rehearsal on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM, also at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for the Saturday, June 26 open dress rehearsal and the Sunday, June 27  Baroque Concert performance will be available after May 17 both online at mcmessiah.com and as paper tickets that can be picked up at First Presbyterian Church on 9th Street, Michigan City.

We encourage all of you who have access to reserve and download your tickets for the concert and/or dress rehearsal online.  We want to sample online ticketing before implementing it for our annual Messiah Performance in Dec. As is consistent with our mission, tickets will be provided free of admission.  Donations toward our concert expenses are always welcome and can be sent to MC Messiah Fund. at 121 W 9th St, Michigan City, In. 46360.  Online donations can be made at mcmessiah.com

MC Messiah Inc. also has plans in the works for the 56th Annual presentation of G.F. Handel’s Messiah Oratorio, under the direction of Maestro Philip Bauman, hopefully at our original home of First Presbyterian Church, 9th St., Michigan City.  We plan to be able to use the full Chorus and to return to the beloved format of full presentation with our full Chorus, orchestra and four professional soloists.  The dates for those performances are scheduled for Dec. 18 and 19, 2021.