'Messiah Sing!' Returns to Music Hall

The Music Hall is thrilled to welcome back the Seacoast’s largest Messiah Sing! Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7:30pm, for a sixth season of the Seacoast’s best-loved choruses and conductors, guest soloists and orchestral accompaniment, and friends and family in a community performance featuring Handel’s triumphant Christmas oratorio. 

Patrons can bring their own score, or purchase one at RiverRun Bookstore after Thanksgiving or at The Music Hall the day of the concert.

“Nothing can compare to this transcendent community sing in our glorious historic theater” says Patricia Lynch, executive director of The Music Hall. “Patrons are also participants: every member of the audience has the opportunity to follow the signs for sopranos, altos, tenors, and bass and seat themselves. Whether people choose to simply view the performance or to raise their voices in song, they’re swept up in an uplifting and unforgettable celebration of the season.”

The concert includes selections from George Friedrich Handel’s choral masterpiece and runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Messiah was composed by George Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) over the span of 24 days in August 1741. The first performance was given in Dublin, Ireland the following April with the composer conducting. The texts for the oratorio were compiled by Charles Jennens, an English librettist.

For those who aren’t familiar with the concept of a Messiah Sing, Priscilla French, concert organizer, explains, "Messiah Sings are a tradition in many communities during the Christmas season. Singers of all ranks are invited to sing through the Christmas portion (Part I) of Handel's most famous oratorio, Messiah, with no prior rehearsal.  It's kind of a ‘happening’—great fun and one of the best ways I know to celebrate the true meaning behind the Christmas season. Bring your friends and family and your own score and join us for this glorious occasion."

Participating choruses:

Amare Cantare, Community Chorus of South Berwick, Granite State Choral Society, New Hampshire Youth Chorus, New Hampshire Choral Society, Portsmouth Pro Musica, Rockingham Choral Society, Seacoast Choral Society, Seacoast Community Chorus, and York Singers. 

Featured conductors:

Conductors for The Music Hall event will come from the ranks of conductors of all the participating choruses: Catherine Beller-McKenna, Harry Moon, Seth Hurd, Madelyn Gearheart, Priscilla French, Andrew Gaydos, Nancy Brown, Wendell S. Purrington, and William Wieting.

Orchestral accompaniment:

On stage, the singers will have orchestral accompaniment by: Lynne McMahon, Melissa Waterhouse, violins;  Sally Wituszynski, viola; Gary Hodges, violoncello;  John Stewart, contrabass;  Margaret Herlehy, Duncan MacCallum, oboe;  Adam Gallant, John MacLeod, trumpet; Christopher Vinciguerra, timpani, and Robert Littlefield, piano.

Featured soloists:

Gina Connolly, soprano; Morgan McCurdy, mezzo-soprano; Wendell S. Purrington, tenor; and Bill Dean, baritone.

Submitted by Kathleen Soldati, director of marketing, The Music Hall