Holiday concerts include traditional Messiah performance and Lachrimae's music and dance of the Renaissance  

35th Annual Performance of Messiah at Franklin Pierce Set for December 6 

David Brandes, Professor of Music at Franklin Pierce University, has conducted the annual Messiah performance since its inception at Franklin Pierce.

RINDGE, NH - This year will mark the 35th Annual Franklin Pierce University "Messiah" celebration. The performance, involving a choir of nearly 300 volunteers and professional singers, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 and will be conducted on the University campus by Professor David Brandes.

The commitment to participate in the choir involves one day of activities on Dec. 6 as follows:

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Registration in the Field House

1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Rehearsal with piano
Sopranos in Pierce Hall, Campus Center
Altos in Hampshire Room, Campus Center
Tenors/Bass in Cheney Hall

3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. Break and refreshments in the Field House

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rehearsal with orchestra

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dinner on your own or in the University cafeteria

8 p.m. Performance in the Field House

This will be an enjoyable time to socialize with friends, meet new people and perform for an audience. Scores are available at the Franklin Pierce University Bookstore for $7.95. Please call the University Bookstore at 603.899.4093 to order or reserve a copy for pickup on Dec. 6. Supply is limited.

If you are interested in singing at this year's performance, please e-mail messiah@franklinpierce.edu indicating if you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass. 

Lachrimae involves a group of students, in period costume, performing holiday-themed music and dance from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Lachrimae to Perform Music and Dance of the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Lachrimae, a small, select music group of Franklin Pierce University students, will be performing, in period costume, the music and dance of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The program this year is entitled A Renaissance Christmas. It features mostly seasonal music from England, Germany, France and Spain. Along with the vocal music, members also perform on recorders, harpsichord and percussion of the time.

The performance dates and locations are as follows:

Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough

Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Rindge

Monday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. in Cheney Hall on the campus of Franklin Pierce University

Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Hancock

Most performances are free. Please check with the venue for cost/donation suggestions.