The West Virginia University choral program and the Collegium Musicum Orchestra will present a Holiday Concert featuring the Christmas portion of G. F. Handel’s monumental oratorio”Messiah”Sunday, Dec. 7.

Conducted by Kathleen Shannon, director of the choral program, the program begins at 3:15 p.m. in the Eiesland Hall Auditorium on the downtown campus.

There will be four alumni guest soloists performing on the program. Recent Division of Music graduates returning to campus include Alison Show, Ceci Grasso Dadisman, John Tiranno and David Rudari. Since graduating from WVU , they have been pursuing their careers in the region and nationally.

Special guest will be Jay Malarcher, a professor in the Division of Theatre and Dance, who will portray Mr. Handel. Dr. Malarcher’s portrayal captures the wit and intellect of the famous composer and offers interesting historical information about the creation of Handel’s most famous work. The Collegium Musicum orchestra will accompany the presentation.

Malarcher attended Loyola University, where he majored in communications and Russian. He holds a master’s degree from St. John’s College and a doctorate in theatre history, literature criticism from Louisiana State University. He currently teaches theatre history and orientation and directs in the Division of Theatre and Dance.

Tickets for the”Messiah”concert are available at the Mountainlair Box Office, or by calling (304) 293-SHOW. Tickets will also be available at the door.