Ashley Raffauf of Homewood featured in Olivet's production of Handel's "Messiah"

BOURBONNAIS, IL (11/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Ashley Raffauf of Homewood sings the soprano solo part in Olivet Nazarene University's 76th annual production of Handel's "Messiah" on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The performance begins at 7 p.m. in the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel on campus.

Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel in just 24 days, this oratorio expresses the life of Jesus Christ in music. It is still one of the most popular works in Western choral literature. "Hallelujah" is undoubtedly its most well-known chorus.

This year's performance features ONU faculty members playing the harpsichord and the Ruffatti pipe organ. Student musicians of the ONU Orchestra provide musical accompaniment for Chrysalis Women's Choir, Testament Men's Choir and Orpheus Choir with Dr. Jeff Bell, music professor, conducting.

Dr. Neal Woodruff, music professor, sings the tenor solos. Other student soloists are:

David Rice, bass (Traverse City, Mich.)

Taylin Frame, alto (Centreville, Va.)

Lillian Guenseth, alto (Galesburg, Ill.)

Ali Carter, soprano (Bourbonnais, Ill.)

Taihla Eddins, alto (Bloomington, Ill.).

There is no charge to attend this event. A freewill offering will be received the night of the performance.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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ONU news is also available on the web. Go to www.olivet.edu and click on "News & Events." Licensed University photos and official logos available upon request. For additional information, contact Laura Warfel at 815-928-5403, or lwwarfel@olivet.edu.