A long-time traditional Christmas performance in Galion is looking for community assistance to continue to grow and stay around for multiple years.
The Galion Community Chorus has set up a campaign to raise funds for its performance of Handel’s “Messiah.”
The group has set up a GoFundMe page with a fund-raising goal of $3,500. David Gale said the overall annual cost of the production is $5,000.
“(Using GoFundMe) expands our exposure to more people,” Gale said.
The free performance is typically held on the first Sunday afternoon on December and is accompanied by an orchestra, harpsichord and professional soloists.
Currently, the shows are held at First United Church of Christ, 248 Harding Way W. Galion.
“Messiah” was first performed in Galion occasionally from 1890s to 1930s, before Herbert Krichbaum started the annual tradition with the current director John Sikora of Ashland.
“It is the hope of the current Messiah Board that this event will continue for years to come,” Galion Community Chorus Representative Marcia Burkhart. “Funding for its continuance, however, has become problematic. Expenses continue to rise for soloists and orchestra. Galion is a small community. Local supporters and advertisers are helping with basic funding. In order to maintain our current level of professional musicians,we need to increase donations to this worthwhile cause.”
In addition, the group has given two $500 scholarships for youth to take part in rehearsals and production of Messiah.
“This endeavor encourages high school youth to both experience the thrill of singing the Messiah, and being rewarded for doing so,” Burkhart said. “In addition, it also allows them to experience top-notch direction, and singing with a orchestra and professional soloists. Funding for this part of our budget, is seriously lacking. We are a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations. In order to make this exquisite, treasured, community event viable in the future, we need the public’s help to continue our programming and funding needs. With your help we can continue to teach and share this high quality performance with new generations.”
For more informaton, visit https://www.facebook.com/GCCOMessiah.
You can access the GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/kk38f4wc.
