The Chorus of Westerly to Host a Community Messiah Sing??
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WESTERLY, RI ??? The Chorus of Westerly invites the community to join them for Messiah Sing, an open sing-along of the Christmas choral portions of G.F. Handel???s Messiah on Saturday, December 3rd, at 5pm in the George Kent Performance Hall, located at 119 High Street in Westerly. Join conductor Andrew Howell, and members of the Chorus for this unique opportunity to sing the beloved masterwork and celebrate the holiday season.
Tickets are available by calling 401.596.8663, visiting the Kent Hall Box Office at 119 High Street in Westerly, or online at chorusofwesterly.org.
G.F. Handel???s Messiah, composed in 1741 has become one of the world???s most well-known and performed musical works. The English oratorio has also become increasingly popular during the holiday season, inspiring community sing-along events, known as Messiah Sings or Messiah Sing-Ins. The Chorus of Westerly is excited to present its first Messiah Sing as a special fundraiser event for the 58th performance season.
Music director, Andrew Howell, will guide singers through the Christmas portions and favorite movements of the Messiah masterpiece in a relaxed and informal setting. Accompaniment will be provided by organist Simon Jacobs, who recently performed at Kent Hall during the Chorus???s Ralph Vaughan Williams Hodie concerts. The sing is open to anyone in the community and there is no audition required to participate. Everyone is welcome to come and sing this beloved oratorio, or come and just listen as an audience member. The evening will also feature a reception with light hors d???oeuvres and refreshments.
The proceeds from Messiah Sing will go directly to support the Chorus of Westerly???s 58th season performances and programs including: The Classical Concert Series, Christmas Pops, The Collegiate Concert Series, The Kent Hall Masters Series, The Children???s Program, and the annual Summer Pops performance presented by the Chorus each June in Wilcox Park. Money raised will also augment fundraising efforts for special projects including a new phase of renovation and repair work of the historic George Kent Performance Hall, and the Chorus???s concert tour of Germany in July of 2017.
The Messiah Sing is family-friendly event. Admission to participate or watch/listen is $20 per person. You can reserve your spot by calling 401.596.8663 or online at chorusofwesterly.org. Music scores will be available upon request.
The 190-voice Chorus of Westerly is one of the nation???s only intergenerational symphonic choral ensembles. For each concert in its professional concert season, children ages 8 to 18 sing alongside adult singers as ensemble members of equal rank and expectations. Founded in 1959 by George Kent and today directed by Andrew Howell, the Chorus has had more than 2,500 area residents sing in its program, with more than 1,500 singing as child members. In its 57 seasons, the Chorus has presented nearly 700 performances to over 1.7 million people. The Chorus has performed in concert over 100 major choral works with fully professional orchestra and soloists, and has presented 13 major American premieres. While its home is in Rhode Island, the Chorus has toured internationally four times, singing in such venues as Smetana Hall in Prague, Stephansdom in Vienna, Westminster Abbey, and St. Peter???s??Basilica in the Vatican while also receiving countless awards for its work. The Chorus has also established regional traditions such as their annual Summer Pops??performance which is attended annually by 25,000 people. In addition to its extensive performance season, the Chorus also offers a broad reaching musical??education program to its singing members