Orchestra, Choir Host Messiah Tour

The Westmont College Choir and Orchestra will host its Masterworks Concert tour performing Handel’s Messiah (parts 2 and 3) beginning in Santa Barbara on Friday, April 6, at 7 pm at First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu St. Admission is $10, students are free. For more information, contact the music department at (805) 565-6040.

“Messiah is one of the central experiences for both singers and orchestral musicians,” says Michael Shasberger, conductor and Adams professor of music and worship. “It’s one of the treasures of the repertoire that is held in common across time and cultural spans. We are delighted that our students will be entering in that great community of performers who know and love this music.”

The choir and orchestra will travel to Los Angeles as part of their tour, performing Saturday, April 7, at 7 pm in Bel Air Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive, with choirs from Bel Air Church and St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church.

The students will participate in morning worship services at Bel Air and St. Peter’s churches on Sunday, April 8.

The musicians will perform their final concert April 8 at 3:30 pm at St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church, 6410 Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes.