“Messiah,” George Frederic Handel’s most well-known work, stands alone as an honored piece of English sacred music and will soon be heard in Galion. The public is invited to attend the 60th Anniversary Presentation of Messiah, to be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m., at the First United Church of Christ, 248 Harding Way West, Galion.
“Messiah” was performed in Galion only sporadically from the 1890s through the 1930s. Then in 1955, William Clendenin, a local music enthusiast, challenged the new choir director for the Galion City Schools to organize and present a Christmas season performance of the “Messiah.” Herbert Krichbaum responded by challenging Clendenin to have at least 75 singers ready on the first night of rehearsal, never thinking that this would actually happen. But on a rainy night, Krichbaum arrived for rehearsal to find 75 vocalists. He agreed that “We’d better get to work!”
With that simple phrase, a Galion tradition began. The first performance, with a chorus of 129 members, presented 26 selections; considered to be the “Christmas” portion of “Messiah.”
The original performance home of the “Messiah” was the Galion High School auditorium and remained there until 1985. Trinity Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church also hosted the events. Since 1997 First United Church of Christ has welcomed the tradition.
Krichbaum served as director of the Galion Community Chorus for 30 years. Joe Meyer, Paula Wertenberger, Mark Taylor, Barbara Quaintance, and W. Jeffrey Fillis were directors from 1985 until 1993. John Sikora has directed the Chorus since 1994. Pianist Patty Neff has served as rehearsal accompanist and harpsichord musician with the orchestra for a number of years, as well. Many individuals have given decades to the Galion Community Chorus, including entire families, who work with either the Chorus or the Orchestra.
Galion area businesses and local sponsors have faithfully contributed to the annual fundraising, necessary for the “Messiah“ performance each year. Currently, more than $5,000 must be raised to make this event possible. Seventy-five volunteer chorus members from Crawford, Richland, Morrow, and Ashland Counties work alongside professional vocalists and orchestra people, to present the performance each year. Continued support is greatly appreciated.
In 2010 the Chorus established a scholarship fund for area students who participate in the annual rehearsals and performance. To date, six deserving young people have received scholarships toward their college pursuits.
“Messiah” was composed at the lowest point of Handel’s career, while he suffered partial paralysis of his left side; the result of a stroke. His professional popularity declining, Handel completed the composition in just 21 days. The first performance took place in Dublin on April 13, 1741, with 26 boys and 5 male soloistsfrom area cathedral choirs participating.
The work became a favorite of Handel’s, indicating that he was inspired while composing it. He stated that, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God himself!”
