The International Music Foundation Presents 38th Annual "Do-It-Yourself Messiah" Holiday Orchestral Performance Hits Chicago's Harris Theater on December 19 & 20

The International Music Foundation Presents 38th Annual "Do-It-Yourself Messiah" Holiday Orchestral Performance Hits Chicago's Harris Theater on December 19 & 20

Celebrate the Holiday Season By Singing Along To Handel's Orchestral Masterpiece

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, December 19, and Friday, December 20, the Do-It-Yourself Messiah, presented by the International Music Foundation, will return to the Harris Theater. Celebrating its 38th year, this beloved holiday tradition offers audience members a unique opportunity to participate in the performance as the choir in George Frederic Handel's masterpiece, Messiah. Joined by a volunteer orchestra and world-class conductor and soloists, attendees will welcome the holiday season with an unrivaled performance of Messiah.

The performances have been made possible through generous sponsorships from Wintrust Financial Corporation and Performance Trust Companies. Beginning at noon on Thursday, November 14, $15 tickets may be purchased at the Harris Theater Box Office located at 205 E. Randolph, by phone at 312-334-7777, or on-line at www.harristheaterchicago.org.

The audience, seated according to voice range, will sing the choral part of Messiah and will be accompanied by a full orchestra of volunteer musicians, four professional soloists - Soprano Michelle Areyzaga, Alto Jill Grove, Tenor Marc Molomot and Bass-baritone Mark Steven Doss - and acclaimed Maestro Stanley Sperber.

Performances of the Do-It-Yourself Messiah will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 and Friday, December 20. For more information, visit the International Music Foundation website at www.imfchicago.org.

About the Messiah: Composed in 1741 by George Frederic Handel, Messiah is a large-scale piece for orchestra, chorus and soloists. Originally intended as an Easter oratorio, it has become more popularly associated with the Christmas holiday season.

A small church in rural England began the "do-it-yourself" part more than 40 years ago. Al Booth, founder of the International Music Foundation, was an early participant and brought the idea home to Chicago where he and Margaret Hillis, then director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, staged the first event in 1976.

About the International Music Foundation: The International Music Foundation (IMF) was founded in 1979 by Chicagoan Al Booth as the umbrella organization for two of his music projects: the Do-It-Yourself Messiah and the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, both now cornerstones of the Chicago musical scene. In 1981, with the help of Yehudi Menuhin, the IMF added Live Music Now!, a concert series for children in the Chicago Public Schools. For more information please visit, www.imfchicago.org

SOURCE The International Music Foundation

The International Music Foundation

CONTACT: Michelle Fischgrund, Winger Marketing, +1-312-494-0422, Michelle@wingermarketing.com

Web Site: http://www.imfchicago.org


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