DID YOU KNOW?
In December 1984, Middlebury’s first Messiah Sing took place. Nearly every year since then, the Messiah Sing has become a joyous community event, now attracting singers and orchestra players who arrive at the historic Congregational Church to make music together on the Sunday afternoon before Christmas each year.
The Middlebury Congregational Church once again hosts the annual “Messiah Sing” that attracts hundreds of singers and players from throughout Addison County, and the extended Champlain Valley region each year. Jeff Rehbach, conductor of the Middlebury College Community Chorus, leads the sing-along of this famous work by George Frederic Handel for choir and orchestra.
Come join friends and neighbors for a joyous afternoon of community music-making at the Middlebury Congregational Church, beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. Singers, instrumentalists and all who enjoy music are warmly welcomed to sing and play, or simply to watch and listen. A $5 contribution ($10 per family) is requested at the door.
This year’s reading continues the tradition of featuring soloists drawn from Middlebury and other communities throughout Vermont, including Jessica Allen, Joshua Collier, Jack DesBois, Erin Grainger, Leila McVeigh and Jim Wright. Solo numbers will be accompanied by string players from nearby towns and villages: Molly Bidwell, Carole Fenn, Hilary Hatch and Emily Sunderman. Harpsichord maker Robert Hicks of Lincoln, provides one his fine hand-crafted keyboard instruments, played by Jenny Bower, organist at the Vergennes Congregation Church. A listing of chorus works may be found on the community chorus web page at go.middlebury.edu/messiah-sing.
Chorus music and orchestra parts (for strings and oboe/flute) are provided, as we read many of the finest choruses from this beloved oratorio. If you have your own copy of the Messiah, bring it along. If you plan to play in the orchestra, bring a music stand and arrive 15 minutes early. The Middlebury Community Chorus provides refreshments for all to enjoy during intermission. For more information, email [email protected] or leave a message at (802) 989-7355.