Bass soloist Brant Bordsen will sing in the “Messiah” performance. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society’s Yuba Sutter Symphony and Chorus will be presenting the 85th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road in Yuba City. 

The performance by the chorus plus orchestra will be conducted by Corey Kersting. The choral director is Linda Robinson. 

“The chorus and orchestra have been working very hard and are ready to share this remarkable music.  We invite people to begin the Christmas season by attending this traditional presentation,” Kersting stated.

Soloists this year include sopranos Sally Spatafore and Carolyn Steele, altos Natalie Nelson and Joyce Campbell and bass Brant Bordsen. The trumpet soloist is Ted Zalkind. 

Numerous members of the orchestra or chorus have been part of this production for over 30 years.

The Yuba Sutter Symphony and Chorus will present the 85th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 3. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society

“Once people start playing or singing ‘Messiah,’ it becomes such a part of their life that they want to sing it or play it year,” Kersting said. “Ingrid Gaston, a viola player, has been playing ‘Messiah’ with the Yuba Sutter Symphony for close to 60 years.”

“Messiah’ is one of the most frequently performed pieces of music over a longer period of time than any other composition ever written.  It is a joy for us to be able to present this music annually for our community,” Phil Gardner, president of the Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society stated.

In the mid-1930s, Mr. Ralph B. van Courtright came to Yuba College to be an instructor in music. One of his goals was to have a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” each year and the other was to have a symphony orchestra comprised of local musicians to provide concerts of classical music in the area. 

Starting in 1938, singers from local church choirs in the area, the college a cappella choir and Businessmen’s Glee Club, accompanied by Ruth van Courtright and an orchestra, performed “Messiah” in the old Marysville High School Auditorium. 

Afterwards, LaVerne Grell, Sarah Jane Roberts and Mr. van Courtright formed the Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society, which has continued to present “Messiah” each year performed by the Society’s Yuba Sutter Symphony and Chorus. 

This year’s presentation of “Messiah” will be preceded by Christmas music provided by the Sutter Buttes Brass. 

At the Dec. 2 Messiah for Kids and Their Families, the Messiah Children’s Choir will lead the singing of “Hallelujah Chorus.” Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society

Messiah for Kids also to be Presented

Ten years ago, the Symphony and Chorus created a special program for children called Messiah for Kids and Their Families. It will be presented on Saturday, Dec.2 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. 

This performance provides a 45-minute introduction to the text and music of Handel’s Messiah for children.

“The purpose of the Messiah for Kids is to introduce this timeless musical classic to children so that they can begin to know and love this music as much as we already do,” Kersting said. 

The Messiah Children’s Choir, directed by Alisan Hastey, will lead the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

“Messiah for Kids is also appropriate for adults to attend. Following last year’s performance, a parent said, ‘Even as an adult, I learned so much about Handel and the Messiah that I am coming back next year to learn more,’” Kersting said. 

Both performances are free with donations accepted.