GRANTHAM, Pa. (Feb. 24, 2006) – The Messiah College Concert Choir and the Choral Arts Society will perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 – called “Resurrection” – with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra’s 75th anniversary.  Performances are March 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 3 p.m. at the Forum, 5th and Walnut Streets in downtown Harrisburg.  Stuart Malina, music director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the 200-person choir which will also include the Susquehanna Chorale and the Alumni Chorale of Lebanon Valley College. 

Tickets for this performance are available online at www.harrisburgsymphony.org or by calling the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra ticket office at (717) 545-5527.  Group and student rates are available.  The program is sponsored by The Hall Foundation.

Symphony No. 2 was written over a span of years between 1888 and 1894, and is considered, among many, to be Austrian composer Mahler’s greatest work.  With hope as its central theme, the symphony is marked by emotional and dramatic movements requiring a great number of both vocalists and musicians. 

About the Messiah College Concert Choir

The Messiah College Concert Choir is a student choir that travels throughout Pennsylvania and neighboring states during the academic year. The Concert Choir has traveled internationally to Canada and Ireland and is planning a performance tour of Austria and the Czech Republic in May.  Linda Tedford, director of choral activities at Messiah College, directs the Concert Choir.

About the Messiah College Choral Arts Society

Messiah College’s Choral Arts Society is an 80-member choir comprised of members of the Messiah College community as well as members of the greater Harrisburg area.  This year marks the 60th anniversary for the choir, which was founded by Messiah music professor Earl “Prof” Miller in 1946.  It was originally called the Alumni Oratorio Society. Later, the name was changed to the Grantham Oratorio Society to emphasize the community in which they participated.  Miller directed the choir for 22 years, followed by Messiah College professors Ronald Sider and Ronald Miller. In 1998, the choir was named the Messiah College Choral Arts Society to reflect the group’s rich heritage with the college. Linda Tedford, director of choral activities at Messiah College, currently directs the choir.