Go for Baroque this Christmas!

Baroque music is a style of Western Classical music from the 17th and 18th Centuries that, with its strong beat, complex rhythms and beautiful harmonies invariably stimulates the brain, captivates listeners and mesmerises audiences.
Undoubtedly the most famous Baroque masterpiece is Messiah, omposed by George Frideric Handel in 742 and it is one of the most popular of all he sacred Oratorio repertoire.  Many people relate strongly to the Hallelujah chorus and often feel that Christmas isn’t quite complete without their annual “fix” of Handel.
Hastings fans of Baroque choral music will be delighted to learn that on the first weekend in December this stunning music will be performed in Port Macquarie’s Baptist Church (McIntyre Close) by Hastings Choristers’ Cantorus Choir accompanied by Heather Moen-Boyd on Pipe Organ.
Cantorus is a large, mixed voice Community Choir that has been delighting audiences for 21 years with regular high quality concerts and its pursuit of choral excellence. Cantorus sings in four sections being Soprano, Contralto, Tenor and Bass and, within the 60 voice group, is a small ensemble Ex Audi (‘listen to us’) as well as the female ensemble, Cantabile.
The concert program on 3 & 4 December consists mainly of Messiah choruses with some recitative and solo work from talented singers who are part of the choir. Guest organist Heather Moen-Boyd has performed with Hastings Choristers on several occasions and returns to again thrill audiences with her amazing talent on the beautiful organ and wonderful acoustics of the Baptist Church.
Musical Director Robyn Ryan is thrilled with the sound of Cantorus: “They’ve never sounded better –all working so hard and I can guarantee these two concerts will be very exciting indeed. In fact, Messiah is absolutely NOT to be missed – a great opportunity to start December with some swoon material!” With such well known music on offering these concerts are sure to sell out quickly so don’t delay purchasing your tickets from the Glasshouse Box Office for Saturday 3 December at 8 pm (doors open 7.15pm) or Sunday 4 December at 2 pm (doors open 1.15 pm).  There is a pre-concert introduction 15 minutes prior to each concert to ‘set the scene’. Messiah is a very special spiritual celebration and one that should be enjoyed by families and friends as we enter the festive season.