Celebrating 20 years in 2025, the Spoon River College Community Chorus presents Handel’s Messiah and Winter Olio on December 6 at 7 p.m. and December 7 at 3:00 p.m. The concert will be performed at the First Christian Church in Canton. Tickets go on sale November 1 and may be obtained at SRC Community Chorus or from chorus members.
The concert features the talents of over 60 singers, musicians, and technicians and is under the direction of John L. Davis. Davis also conducted the two previous Messiah concerts offered in 2005, the year of the group’s inception, and again in 2012.
“The first half of the concert includes what is known as the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah,” Davis said. “We, of course, will also present the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the classical portion. Concertgoers expect it and we won’t let them down.”
The second half offers a mixture of winter, traditional, contemporary, and holiday songs from a variety of genres including Jingle Bell Fantasy, Over the River, Pure Imagination, and a beautiful arrangement of Fred Rogers’ It’s You I Like.
Singers include Erica Asendorf, Bruce Beal, Carla Bobell, Rob Bobell, Gloria Bradford, Edwin Brinklow, Janice Dare Bruster, Sherry Coffey, Vanessa Coker, Nana Cook, Carol Davis, Colin Davis, Katey Davis, Kevin Dearing, Jennifer Fletcher, Sarah Fouts, Presley Frank, Jim Gage, Jake Haarman, Angie Hale, Kevin Kessler, Denise Kirgan, Tammy Klinedinst-Kessler, Carol Kohler, Charlene Kornoski-DuVall, Lindsey Larson, Matt Luedtke, Naomi Rose Leudtke, Corrinna Markland-Pickel, Wendy Martin, Steve Mason, Sue Maurice, Janet Munson, Chad Murphy, Natalie Orwig, Cecily Pearson, Shirley Roberts, Tony Roberts, Lydia Robinson, Sara Mathis, Shane Smith, Stacy Smith, Jean Sprecher, Jeanine Standard, Trygve Meade, Michael Varnes, Larry Von Behren, Linda Von Behren, Melissa Walker, Kevin Watson, Jendy Way, and Lauren Wilcoxen.
Gretchen Fuller serves as accompanist and concert pianist. Also providing additional instrumental accompaniment are Drake Miller on oboe; Matt Buczko on trumpet, keyboard, and accordion; Jeff Burkhead, on trumpet; Anthony Roberts on harp; and the WIU International String Quartet.
“Due to the physical taxing on our singers’ voices, we are only offering two performances this December,” Carol Davis, Artistic Director, said. “However, we have upped our available seating back to 200 per performance. Patrons are encouraged to obtain their tickets right away.”
For more information, visit SRC Community Chorus or email SRC Community Chorus This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Two Rivers Arts Council.
