This holiday season, the Milwaukee Area Messiah Community Chorus and Orchestra (MAMCCO) will present Handel's Messiah in free presentations in two area churches.
Join us either Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon or Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Gabriel Parish in Hurbertus. Doors open 30 minutes before each presentation.
Founded in 2009, the group, made up almost entirely of local volunteers, is in its fifth year presenting Handel's Messiah at no cost to the audience. From its humble beginnings, MAMCCO has grown in dedication, size and strength to feature a talented chorus of 100 singers, four soloists and a 19-piece orchestra.
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Although most members have a background in music, their main mission is to enrich the lives in the Greater Milwaukee area by spreading God's Word through music. More than 100 hours of planning and 15 rehersals go into the appearances each year.
A musical rite of the holiday season, Handel's Mesisah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, which has gone on to become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in western music.
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"We are primarily volunteers committed to learning and presenting this great work, providing free opportunities for people to enjoy it and giving back to the communiy by collecting a free-will offering," said Marta Ballering, founder and secretary of MAMCCO. "Sharing our talents and passions with the community each holiday season is truly a blessing that we look forward to each year."
While there is no admission charge to attend the presentaitons, a free-will offering at each event is contributed to a local Christian charity. This year's charity is the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to serving the homeless and less fortunate in Milwaukee by providing food, shelter, education and training.
"We selected the Milwaukee Rescue Mission because of the difference it makes every day in our community by provigind the right care, resources and skills necessary to get people back on their feet. We are proud to be affilliated with an organization that demonstrates such tremendous compassion and care," said Darin Riggleman, treasurer of MAMCCO and a member of the chorus since the group's inception.
To learn more about MAMCCO, please visit www.mamcco.org
