Advent 2021 Christmas Music Celebration
As the new Director of Music Ministries, I am thrilled to continue long-standing traditions of musical excellence and spirit-filled worship that engage both this church and the greater community. In this week where we celebrate the joy of Christ, we hope that these moments of music and worship will truly reflect the ways that Christ enlivens us, inspires us, and sends us into the world to share his abundant love with all we meet.
These selections from Handel’s Messiah tell the story of God’s love being made known to us and the many ways that we can respond to that revelation. We are called out of the darkness into light in order to show this compassion to the world, and we take comfort in knowing that this love is guiding our daily actions and intentions. Truly this is a reason to celebrate and rejoice.
I am extremely grateful for all of the musicians, staff, and volunteers that made this event possible. We hope you enjoy this time of worship and celebration as we set our hearts and minds upon welcoming in the Christmas season.
Sincerely,
Rev. Darrin Isaac
Meet Our Soloists!
SHANNON PAIGE CHRISTIE, SOPRANO, is currently a second-year Master of Music in Vocal Performance at University of Colorado-Boulder, under the mentorship of Prof. Jennifer Bird Arvidsson. Originally from Indiana, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from University of Indianapolis, where she studied with Dr. Kathleen Hacker. In her time at CU she has performed two roles with Eklund Opera, Violetta (La Traviata) and Poppea (Agrippina). In 2017, she was a Resident Artist with Indianapolis Opera, where she made her professional debut as Annina (La Traviata). Other credits include Papagena (Die Zauberflöte) and Laurette (Le Docteur Miracle). She has studied in England twice, where she had the opportunity to perform as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music. Follow her journey on instagram: @shannannigans_
IVY DUKES, MEZZO-SOPRANO, is a recent graduate from the prestigious Jacobs School of Music on the campus of Indiana University. A talented crossover artist, Ivy has gained extensive training and stage experience in opera and musical theatre, performing roles such as Margaret in Guettel’s A Light in the Piazza, Veronique in Bizet’s Le Docteur Miracle, 2nd Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Penelope Pennywise in Hollmann and Kotis’ Urinetown. An avid member in community theater, Ivy has also amassed extensive role experience, portraying the roles of Josephine in Lippa’s musical adaptation of Big Fish, Wednesday Adams in Lippa’s The Adam’s Family, Eileen Evergreen in Gershwin’s Nice Work if You Can Get It, and Izabella in Lloyd Webber’s CATS. An active member in choral and concert work, Ivy sang as a member of the internationally acclaimed Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Indianapolis Indiana. She’s also performed as a featured soloist in large works such as Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major and Bach’s “Gottes Zeit its die Allerbeste Zeit” BWV 106, and performed Handel’s Messiah as a cover soloist.
Ron Dukes completed his Master’s Degree while serving as an Associate Instructor of Voice at IU Jacobs School of Music with a full ride. Under the tutelage of Professor Peter Volpe, Ron has performed many roles with IU Opera Theatre. Ron has gained substantial role experience, including Bartolo from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Simone from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and Basilio from Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Ron also has extensive work experience with local, start-up opera companies in Bloomington, including Bloomington Chamber Opera, performing the role of Sarastro from Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, and A Little Knight Music Company, portraying the role of Oroveso from Bellini’s Norma.
This summer, Ron was a studio artist with The Glimmerglass Festival, where he covered the role of Sarastro for Eric Owens, and sang the role of Un Vecchio Zingaro in the festival’s production of Il Trovatore. Currently, Ron is with Pensacola Opera as an Artist in Residence for their 19th season. While in residence, Ron will be singing the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in January 2022, and Basilio in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia in March 2022.
Looking forward, Ron recently was accepted into Lyric Opera of Chicago Ryan Opera Center Ensemble Program and is under management from the Premiere Artist Roster.
