EDITORS: Bios of the guest soloists and Collegiate Singers Conductor Dr. Catherine Allard follow at the end of this release.

TROY, AL. – Troy University’s John M. Long School of Music and the Troy Arts Council will present the Choral Masterworks performance of Georg Frideric Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17.  The performance will be held in the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus.

The performance, which is underwritten by a grant from the Troy Arts Council, will feature TROY’s Collegiate Singers and the Festival Chorus and Orchestra, as well as guest soloists -- soprano Margaret Jackson, alto Joan Hazel, tenor Roderick George and bass Michael Hix.

Dr. Catherine Allard, conductor for the Collegiate Singers, said the event will mark the first collegiate performance of the complete oratorio at Troy University in five years.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” Dr. Allard said. “It is a rare privilege to perform such a monument of music as Messiah with full orchestra and professional soloists.  We are very proud that Troy University is so committed to the arts.”

For tickets or further information, contact the School of Music at (334) 670-3322.

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Bios of Soloist

Dr. Margaret Jackson, a singer, voice instructor and ethnomusicologist, holds a Doctor of Music in voice performance from Florida State University and has performed with operatic, symphonic and chamber ensembles throughout Germany, Italy, South America and the United States. A sought-after recitalist and interpreter of new music, Dr. Jackson has more than 30 world and U.S. premieres to her credit.

Joan Hazel, a native of Corinth, MS, came to Troy University as an adjunct professor in voice and general music in the fall of 2004. She holds a Master’s of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy from East Carolina University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Alabama in vocal performance.

Roderick George is an assistant professor of music at the University of Montevallo where he teaches applied voice, diction and vocal literature. A native of Mobile, George earned the Doctor of Music in voice performance from Florida State University and received advanced training in opera at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. He has also been an apprentice artist with Des Moines Metro Opera and an artist-in-residence with Amarillo Opera.

Michael Hix, originally from Ozark, holds dual master’s degrees in voice and historical musicology from Florida State University. He will complete his Doctor of Music degree in voice performance from Florida State University this fall. In June 2006, Hix was featured as a soloist on the “Bernstein on Broadway” concert with the Boston Pops. He also was a vocal fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, the Boston Symphony’s Institute for Advanced Musical Study. Hix is an instructor at Troy University where he teaches voice and aural skills.

Dr. Catherine Allard joined the John M. Long School of Music faculty in 1989. She conducts the Troy University Opera Ensemble and Women’s Madrigal Ensemble and serves as director of the Collegiate Singers. Dr. Allard spent 11 years as a professional musician, primarily in opera and recital, but also as a well-regarded conductor and stage director. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.