MUSCATINE, Iowa–Since its founding in 1975, the Muscatine Civic Chorale has performed Handel’s “Messiah” more than any other piece. In fact, their very first concert in December of 1975 consisted of them singing the “Messiah.” With such a close connection to this piece, it seems only fitting that the Chorale will celebrate their return to public performances by performing the “Messiah,” not once but twice, with performances in both Muscatine and Coralville.
Janet Phillips, director of the Muscatine Civic Chorale, recalls that since 1984, Dr. Edward Kottick has helped the group maintain their harpsicord. A professor of musicology specializing in early keyboard instruments at the University of Iowa for 25 years and currently the music director and conductor for both the Coralville’s City Center Acting Company and Iowa City’s Community Theatre, Kottick has put on a singalong “Messiah” at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts every year since 2012.
Over the years, Kottick formed a close working relationship with the Muscatine Civic Chorale. Impressed with their work, Kottik originally invited the group to provide the choral accompaniment for his 2020 “Messiah” concert. However, when COVID-19 canceled that concert, he welcomed them to perform in 2021 instead and they gladly accepted his offer.
A magnificent night of music, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts singalong “Messiah” will include both soloists and an orchestra to accentuate the Muscatine Civic Chorale’s performance and provide a grand rendition of this well-known piece. “This is our first concert since December of 2019, and we’re excited to be singing again, just being on stage and doing a piece the Civic Chorale has performed more than any other piece,” enthused Phillips.
The Muscatine Civic Chorale’s Coralville performance will take place Dec. 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1301 Fifth Street in Coralville. Tickets cost $12 with the use of the code Halleluiah. Concert goers may purchase them on the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts website, by calling 319-248-9370, or by coming to the box office in person one hour before the show begins.
For those who cannot make it to the Coralville performance, the Muscatine Civic Chorale will perform the Messiah a second time locally at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 400 Iowa Avenue in Muscatine at 7 p. m. Dec. 9. A festive event including accompaniment by a local pianist, the Chorale thinks that all singers and music lovers will have a great time at this classic event. “This will be a singalong, so we invite singers to bring their scores along with them, or we will have some too,” said Phillips. “The acoustics are so good at Wesley that it’s just going to be a beautiful sound and addition to the Christmas Concert series.” The Chorale looks forward to having a full house as the return to their regular concert schedule. In lieu of an entry fee, the Chorale will take up a free will donation to support their ongoing activities.
