Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
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Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: MBU Performs Mendelssohn’s Elijah
MBU Performs Mendelssohn’s Elijah
April 26, 2004
On April 16, the MBU Chorale, Choral Society, and Orchestra performed Felix Mendelssohn’s famous work, Elijah, in the Pillsbury Chapel and Dale Williams Fine Arts Center.
After rehearsing for an entire semester, Elijah’s diverse orchestra and chorus, of students, alumni, faculty/staff, and professional musicians from the St. Louis area, came together for one of the biggest choral productions in MBU history.
Lyrics for the production are directly derived from the Old Testament, bringing life to the story of Elijah. The oratorio begins as Elijah prophesizes drought upon the land for the Israelites’ idolatry and the corruption of King Ahab. The tempo accelerates as the choir, playing the part of pagans, cry out to Baal.
After fire descends from heaven as God’s wrath, the music changes as the Israelites repent and the Lord sends rain to bless the people. The Israelites rebel once again and God reveals himself to Elijah as a still, small voice. A fiery chariot appears as Elijah is taken in a whirlwind to heaven.
Joining the choir as Elijah was Dr. Michael Sust, a native of the Czech Republic, who came to the United States in 1986 after escaping from the former communist Czechoslovakia. Dr. Sust is the Pastor of Worship at First Evangelical Free Church of St. Louis County. The students enjoyed working with Dr. Sust because he brought excitement to his role.
Conductor Dr. Larry Smith serves as professor of music at Missouri Baptist University and the director of the Chorale, Choral Society, and Chamber Singers. Dr. Smith also teaches courses in musicianship, conducting, choral music, and music education.
“I felt truly blessed by the way the music was presented and the message we were able to communicate. I hope each person who took the time to learn and perform this great music will be encouraged to continue making music that honors God with such a high level of quality and devotion,” says Dr. Smith.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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