In early December, the Montgomery College and Willis High School choirs performed selections from Handel’s Messiah and a variety of holiday favorites to benefit the Cancer Center at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital. The close-to-full-house performance was held at Montgomery College’s main theatre, with all ticket proceeds donated to the Cancer Center.

Gregory Ristow, professor of music and director of the MC choir, recognized the Cancer Center associates who attended the concert, estimating that $2000 was raised. Based on the success of this first year benefit concert, the music department is already planning the next holiday concert to benefit another local non-profit organization in the community.

“Everybody knows the Messiah, or at least the Hallelujah Chorus,” said Ristow. “But not too many people know that Messiah was written to raise funds for various charities, and every year until his death, even after he had gone blind, Handel directed a benefit performance of the work.”

Ristow created the partnership with Willis High School choir to also perform at the holiday concert. David McKenery, Montgomery College faculty and Willis High School choir director, was excited to partner with the college as well as benefit the Memorial Hermann Cancer Center. Overall, 97 students performed for the evening with the Montgomery College orchestra.

For more information about Montgomery College’s music department or performance schedule, check out http://music.montgomery-college.com/.

Montgomery College is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000.

NHMCCD, among the largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprise, Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.