EDMOND—The Herbert W. Armstrong College Choral Union, with professional soloists and orchestra, performed Messiah on May 1 in Armstrong Auditorium to cap off the 2013-2014 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation concert series.

hwac assistant music director Mark Jenkins conducted; soloists included soprano Paula Malone, alto Pamela Williams, tenor James Doing, and bass Ryan Malone. The Malones are music instructors at hwac.

“I love performing baroque works, and it’s been exciting working on this,” Jenkins said.

Bolstered by a small orchestra of a bassist, a bassoonist, a trumpeter, a timpani player, a harpsichordist, two oboists, two cellists, three violists and eight violinists, the 49-member Choral Union and four vocal soloists sang of prophecies of the Messiah’s coming, His sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and the ultimate victory of eternal life. The 2½ hour, three-part choral work utilized text from the biblical books of Psalms, Isaiah, Lamentations, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew, Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews and Revelation. The Choral Union last performed an abridged version of G. F. Handel’s magnum opus in 2005 at the John Amos Field House.

The conclusion of Part II was the highlight of the night; audience members stood when the chorus sang with the soloists: “Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

“I didn’t know that audiences traditionally stood during the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus, and when they did, it really added to the emotion in that piece,” alto Maggie Hilliker said. “Standing for the King—our real King! In fact, there were several parts that filled me with emotion—so moving!”

The concert was unique because Messiah is rarely performed without the trimming or omission of some of the songs. “I’ve sung these arias for decades now, but never had had the opportunity to perform all of them in one setting like this,” Mr. Malone said.

“I actually auditioned to do this rendition because I wanted to appreciate it, and I figured the best way to do that was to become part of it,” bass John Rambo said.

Several choir members said this performance was better than the one in 2005 because a smaller orchestra and choir allowed musicians and singers to hear the other parts better, and the Armstrong Auditorium theater provided superior acoustics and a more cohesive sound than the former venue, the jafh.

“This production requires teamwork,” alto Gail Lugo said after a full rehearsal on April 29. “The four voices constantly play off each other throughout the work and have to blend together in order for it to sound pleasant.” Since January, she and the other 48 singers have spent nearly 40 hours practicing Messiah.

“I think the most enjoyable part of singing in this production is probably just the time spent together rehearsing,” soprano Rachel Dattolo said. “It’s hard work, but I always have fun before and after and during the downtimes with my friends.”

Lyric tenor James Doing is a professor of voice at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He specializes in Mozart operas and Baroque period concert music. He has sung with notable opera companies throughout Europe and the United States. This was his fourth time performing with the Choral Union.

Mezzo-soprano Pamela Williams has been a featured alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, Karl Jenkins’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Verdi’s Requiem, Durufle’s Requiem and Beethoven’s 9th symphony. This was her third time performing with the Choral Union.

Mrs. Malone graduated from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a Bachelor of Music. She has performed as a soloist in several oratorios, including Brahms’s A German Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Haydn’s Creation and Rutter’s Requiem.

Mr. Malone, a baritone, has composed over 30 works for nine pcg vocal and choral albums. He has also produced several larger choral and musical theater works, including Song of Songs, Jeremiah—A Musical and Step-dancing Extravaganza and David—The Endless Throne Begins.

Mark Jenkins conducts the Choral Union and Imperial Academy orchestra, and teaches individual piano and voice lessons. He composed and conducted “Dedication Anthem and Fanfare” for the September 2010 opening of Armstrong Auditorium.

The 2014-2015 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation concert series kicks off on September 15 when Broadway star and Oklahoma native Kelli O’Hara visits Armstrong Auditorium.