Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

            The Shawnee State University Choral Department joins in the worldwide celebration of “Handel Year 2009” with a performance of George Frideric Handel’s beloved masterpiece, “Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the Main Theatre of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
            The Shawnee State University Choir and Chorale with Director Stan Workman joins the Shawnee State University Community Choir with Director Shirley Crothers-Marley for this performance.
            Soloists are from SSU students and faculty members including Emma Hunter, Shirley Crothers-Marley, Mariah Minter, Brittany Nocar, Julia Wiget, Chad Bragdon and Rick Bender. The choir will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra comprised of players from local regional orchestras including the Ohio Valley Symphony, Huntington Chamber Orchestra and the West Virginia Symphony. David Pettit serves as accompanist, and the soloists, choirs and orchestra are all under the direction of Stan Workman, conductor.
            The “Handel Year 2009” commemorates the 250th death anniversary of composer, George Frideric Handel, and performances have been presented around the world to honor and celebrate the life and music of the composer.
            The performance at SSU is free and open to the public. For more information, call the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600.