MSU students, alumni featured as soloists in ‘Messiah’

MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University students and recent alumni are featured as soloists in the city-wide production of "Messiah" at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on Sunday, Dec. 7, beginning at 4 p.m.

The production of Handel's "Messiah" has been a cherished tradition in Minot for over 100 years, and the 2025 edition is set to be the 96th performance. The concert is free and open to the public, with free-will offerings collected by Minot State University students to support scholarships at MSU.

Soloists for this year's event include sopranos Megan Kramer, Christina Larsen, and Kaitlyn Pellenwessel. The altos are Kylee Cook '25 and Rayna Falcon; Ethan Pedersen is the tenor; and Nathan Sagsveen is the bass.

"It's a wonderful group of soloists who have worked very hard all semester to bring this incredible music to life," said John Swedberg, MSU assistant professor of music and director of choral activities.

Handel's "Messiah" was originally an Easter offering, first performed on a Dublin stage in 1742, before becoming the Christmas-season tradition it is today. The "Messiah" has been a fixture of the Minot holiday season. Since 1929, only the 1967 blizzard and 2020's COVID-19 restrictions have caused interruptions in production. Along with MSU students, faculty, and staff, the orchestra and choir are composed of musicians from the greater Minot community and across the state.

While the event nears its 100th performance, this is Swedberg's first experience with the "Messiah" in Minot, as he began teaching at Minot State in August. He is especially excited to work with area musicians on the historic event.

"The orchestra and choir feature a lot of MSU students and faculty, but with this being my first time leading the Minot Messiah, I am also very excited to collaborate with musicians from around the city and the state," he said. "We have instrumentalists from the Minot Symphony Orchestra, but also others who are coming from as far as Bismarck and Grand Forks. As for the choir, we have the MSU Concert Choir, as well as singers from the Heritage Singers of Minot, Voices of Note, and the Minot Chamber Chorale, along with local churches and other groups.

"The community aspect of this performance is a true highlight for me, and I have loved getting to know so many different musicians who are joined together by their infectious love of music."

A live stream of the event and recorded version after the performance can be viewed at the Ann Nicole Nelson Hall YOUTUBE.