Published: November 21, 2008 11:30 am      

21st annual ‘Messiah’ concert scheduled for Dec. 6 in Bedford

BEDFORD, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Consort will celebrate its 21st consecutive presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bedford United Methodist Church, 132 E. John St.

This long-standing traditional event, anchored by the 50-plus volunteer choir assembled from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Huntingdon counties, is held under the auspices of The Pennsylvania Consort.

The director is Jeffrey Webb. The concert is co-sponsored by Rockland Manufacturing Company of Bedford and Mr. and Mrs. James MacRae.

Tickets for the Bedford performance will be sold at the door a half hour before the concert. Advance tickets are available at Fishers Pharmacy, Moe’z Art Music, and the Bedford County Visitors Bureau, all in Bedford, and the Everett Rexall Pharmacy.

A native of Pittsburgh, Webb is associate professor of music and director of choral activities at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where he teaches courses in music theory, jazz history and popular music, and conducts the UPJ Concert Choir and Chorale. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Allegheny College and a master of music degree in choral conducting from Binghamton University.

A chamber orchestra of 13 professional musicians from the region will be performing with the chorus. The concertmistress is Elizabeth Pile.

For more information, call (814) 733-2301.