MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno Choral Society will present its 85th annual performance of Messiah this weekend, continuing a long-standing musical tradition in the community.
The performance will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. Conducting the performance will be Dr. Bradley Vogel, who is in his second year leading the work for the organization.
Vogel brings decades of music education and conducting experience to the role. He taught for 33 years, including nine years in public schools at Inman and Haven High School before spending 22 years at Tabor College, where he conducted annual performances of Messiah. He later spent two years teaching at McPherson College before retiring from full-time teaching.
Today, Vogel works with Educational Travel Adventures, helping schools and organizations across the United States — and occasionally internationally — plan educational travel experiences, often involving choirs, orchestras and bands performing abroad.
Despite stepping away from the classroom, Vogel said conducting remains a meaningful way to stay connected to music and musicians.
“Getting to work with singers and continue exploring great music like Messiah is something I truly enjoy,” Vogel said.
The renowned oratorio, composed by George Frideric Handel in the 18th century, is considered one of the most famous works in the classical repertoire. Unlike an opera, an oratorio features similar musical storytelling but without staging, costumes or acting.
The text for Messiah was compiled by Charles Jennens using passages from the Bible. Rather than telling a strict chronological story, the work reflects on the prophecy, life, death and resurrection of Christ, concluding with themes of redemption and heaven.
Written in the Baroque style, the piece features expressive melodies, intricate choral passages and a combination of soloists and large chorus sections. Vogel said audiences will likely recognize several iconic moments, particularly the famous “Hallelujah” chorus.
“That’s certainly the movement that people recognize most,” Vogel said. “But there are many other choruses people may know as well, like ‘For Unto Us a Child Is Born’ and ‘All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray.’”
The work also carries a fascinating historical note. Handel composed Messiah in just 24 days — an impressive feat considering the work contains more than 50 individual musical movements.
Vogel said repeated performances of the piece over the years continue to reveal new musical connections and insights.
“The more time you spend with it, the more relationships you discover between the different movements,” he said. “Handel created something that flows together in a remarkable way.”
This year’s performance also carries a personal connection for Vogel. The featured tenor soloist is his son, David Vogel, who developed his musical abilities under his father’s mentorship and now performs professionally in a variety of styles.
“It’s hard to describe how special that is,” Vogel said. “We’ve worked together for many years, and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to perform together again.”
The soprano soloist, Holly Swartzendruber, is also a longtime colleague of Vogel’s from their years teaching together at Tabor College, making the production a reunion of sorts for the musicians involved.
Vogel said audiences attending the performance can deepen their appreciation by paying attention to how Handel’s music reflects the meaning of the biblical texts.
“The music is beautiful, but when you follow the words and hear how Handel expresses those ideas musically, it adds a whole new dimension to the experience,” he said.
Tickets will be available both in advance and at the door for Sunday’s performance. Members of the Reno Choral Society hope the community will come out to support the singers and enjoy one of the most enduring works in the classical music tradition.