Handel's Messiah to be performed at Trinity Church DC Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m

Dec. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- The Trinity Chancel Choir, guest soloists and chamber ensemble  will present Handel's Messiah on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 7 p.m.  Music director Patrick D. McCoy will conduct the performance, featuring selections from the Advent portion and Part II, including the famous "Hallelujah Chorus."  The Annual Advent Concert at Trinity Church continues a rich tradition of performances by The Chancel Choir, nurtured by former directors Curtis Everett Powell, Adam Scott Graham and presently Patrick D. McCoy, who serves currently as Director of Music.  The Rev'd Canon John T. W. Harmon serves as Rector and Pastor.

The performance is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the church at (202) 236-7036

ABOUT THE GUEST SOLOISTS:

Lisa Edwards-Burrs, soprano

Lisa Edwards-Burrs, who has been described as “a soprano of crystalline beauty”, received degrees in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia (B.M. and M.M.) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (D.M.A.). An accomplished lyric-coloratura soprano, her performances in recital, oratorio and chamber music are extensive. Her operatic roles include: Athena in The Furies, Ola/Harriet Tubman in Vanqui, Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Monica in The Medium, Despina in Così fan tutti, Treemonisha in Treemonisha, Adina in L’elisir d’amore and Poppea in L’incoronazione di Poppea.  Some recent performances include: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor with the Williamsburg Choral Guild and orchestra; “Holiday Pops” concerts with the Williamsburg Symphonia in Williamsburg, Va, and the lead role of Alice in the world premiere of Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows, an opera by composer Steven M. Allen, based on the life and relationship of Paul Laurence Dunbar and his wife, Alice. After serving as Assistant Professor of Voice at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, Dr. Burrs is currently on the voice faculty at Longwood University in Farmville, VA.

Brittany Chanell Johnson, mezzo-soprano

While growing up in Georgia, Brittany Chanell Johnson was exposed to many genres of music. Thus began her love for the arts. As a child she sang in church and her love for music continued into higher education. After high school graduation, she went on to earn music degrees from Furman University and Florida State University. While at Florida State she performed many roles with the Florida State University opera in mainstage productions. Some roles include: Ms. Todd (The Old Maid and the Thief), Filippyevna (Eugene Onegin), Cecelia March (Little Women). In past seasons, Ms. Johnson was featured as a soloist in the Tallahassee Community Chorus’ production of Rossini’s Stabat Mater and Florida State University Men’s Glee Club’s presentation of Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody.  Ms. Johnson has worked as a music educator. Currently, she is an instructor throughout the Washington, DC metro area. As a member of the Voices of Inspiration she has been seen in Nolan Williams' Christmas Gift as Kusini, the southern griot. Ms. Johnson loves to share the joy of music, especially with young people. Her desire is for all to see the Light and, in turn, be inspired.

Terrence Bradford Tarver, tenor

A former member of The Wesley Foundation for the United Methodist Church, Terrence is a double gold medalist in the NAACP Act-So Competition for Vocal Music Classical and Contemporary. Terrence was the recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship, Tom Joyner Scholarship, NASA Scholarship and the Sadie Waterford Scholarship. In 2005 Terrence completed a Graduate Fellowship at the United States Embassy in Accra, Ghana through the United States Department of State. In addition, Tarver was invited to be the guest artist for Hamilton, Bermuda’s Annual Christmas concert that same year. While still in undergrad, Terrence studied abroad on several occasions in West Africa including the Gambia, Senegal, Ghana & Togo.  In addition to his aspirations as an emerging artist, Mr. Tarver is a doctoral student in African Studies at Howard University.

Eric Brown, baritone

Eric Brown, baritone, is a native of the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area.  He received his Master’s degree in music from the University of Kentucky.  Eric is the winner of the  Kentucky District Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition in 2009.  He is a featured soloist with the American Spiritual Ensemble and is also listed as a Kentucky Opera Studio Artist in 2009.  He  has performed many different roles including Marcello in Pucini’s La Boheme, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, the Father in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen, Dr. Grenville in Verdi’s La Traviata.  Eric has an extensive oratorio repertoire.   He was the featured bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah for the Lexington Philharmonic.  He has also performed Mendolsohn’s Elijah, Brahm’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.  When the earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010, Eric was approached a corporation to assist in a humanitarian effort.   He traveled to Haiti where he organized and directed a Haitian children’s choir that debuted in a benefit concert with the world renowned Chieftans, from Ireland, and performed at the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games in November 2010.