by Daniel Hathaway
Although Handel wrote his most famous oratorio for performance in Dublin at Eastertime of 1742, Messiah has become irrevocably associated with Christmas in the United States. And what would that season be without the opportunity to participate in do-it-yourself Messiah Sings? Here are three occasions when you can lift up your voices in the next week without auditions or rehearsals.
On Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm, the Master Singers Chorale will hold their first annual Sing at First Congregational Church in Akron. Edward Arthur Shure conducts, and Kent State student vocalists Heather Morrison, soprano, Natalie Butchko, mezzo-soprano, Benjamin Hayes, tenor, and Charles Austin Piper, baritone, will take the solos. James Mismas will be at the organ, supplemented by a brass quartet.
No. 2 takes place on Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 pm in Finney Chapel at Oberlin when Peter Slowik conducts vocalists and instrumentalists from Oberlin Conservatory and Credo Music alumni. Soloists include Kylie Buckham, Jaclyn Hopping, Caroline Wolfe, and Morgan Wolfe, sopranos, Julia Alexander and Rosamund Dyer, mezzo-sopranos, Jedidiah Rellihan and Shawn Roth, tenors, Luke Melnyk, baritone, and Nathaniel Romero, bass. Click here for a live webcast.
No. 3 is scheduled for Thursday, December 19 at Noon on the Brownbag Concert Series at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Cleveland (that’s right — Thursday rather than the usual Wednesday). Todd Wilson conducts Trinity Chamber Orchestra and soloists.
Bring your scores (there will also be some to borrow) and lift your voices (listeners are also welcome). Freewill offerings will be received at all events. Non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for the church pantry will be collected in Akron, and the Oberlin offering will go to the Neighborhood Alliance’s Haven Center.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com December 13, 2019.
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