Reynolds High Students and Teachers Participate in 82nd Annual Production of the "Messiah"

Earlier this month, four teachers and more than 10 students from Reynolds High School were among those who participated in the 82nd annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at Reynolds Auditorium.

“This is an extraordinary experience for young singers to sit in sections of seasoned singers who've been singing this for 30 to 40 years, to work with a great chorus master like David Williamson and to work under amazing conductors that have ranged from Jamie Allbritten to Sir David Willcocks of Cambridge and Kings College,” said Terry Hicks, the choral music teacher at Reynolds.

"I have two former students who have returned to sing, and some of my students sing multiple years. One this year has sung for all four years. It is such a formidable workout for any singer. It is an amazing experience in a very concentrated span of one month.

“It's an outstanding collaboration within our community, a fantastic experience in numerous ways for young singers.”

Hicks, Nicole Beale, Mary Bergstone and Joshua Bragg were the four Reynolds teachers who participated.

Bragg, who teaches chemistry, said that he enjoyed the experience immensely.

“It is very satisfying to take a massive work like the Messiah, learn it, and perform it,” Bragg said. “The people involved are really the best part…In particular, I really enjoyed hearing an excellent group of tenors from Reynolds standing behind me during the performance.”

Hicks worked hard to make the Messiah a success, Bragg said. “He’s really a gem.”