55th Annual Messiah Concert At First Congregational Church

GREENWICH, CT — The 55th annual Messiah concert at First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich performance will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. The performance is open to the public and a freewill offering will be received, with suggested $20 donation.

The church is located at 108 Sound Beach Ave. in Old Greenwich and is fully accessible. In observance of COVID-19 protocols, masks are required while in the building.

Each year in early December, the church creates a true community musical event for local singers and music lovers by assembling a Festival Chorus to present the Christmas part of Handel’s Messiah.

The First Church Festival Chorus is accompanied by the First Church Chamber Orchestra, with this year’s professional soloists Gileann Tan, soprano, Sarah Bleasdale, mezzo soprano, Daniel Young, tenor, and Brian Mummert, bass.

"Everyone who has some choral experience is welcome to join this special Festival Chorus," said Minister of Music Dr. Craig Scott Symons in a news release. "We want everyone who loves to sing to experience the joy of performing this great holiday piece with a chamber orchestra and a group of very talented chorus members."

On Monday Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., singers are invited to join the Festival Chorus rehearsal. An additional dress rehearsal with the orchestra is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8, also at 7:30 p.m. A refundable score deposit is $20 and singers are required to use a score provided by the church. Masks are also required.

Seating is first come, first served, and the Meetinghouse will open at 3:30 p.m. In addition to in-person viewing, the concert will be live streamed on the church’s YouTube channel.