KENT—Music in the Nave will present its 13th annual Handel’s Messiah Sing-In at St. Andrew’s Parish Friday, Dec. 6.
“Music in the Nave has been doing this for 13 years,” said Matt Harris, director for the program. “It’s become a tradition and is a social thing as much as a concert. There is something about this that is just part of the Christmas season “
This performance includes Part One (The Nativity) and the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“We always end with the ‘Hallelujah,'” said Harris. “We give out scores at the door for those who need them. Other people say they have their own, or have sung the parts and just need a prompt.”
Some patrons don’t want to sing, at all, but come “and know it will be good music,” he continued. “We get people from all over Litchfield County and from New York State.”
Even non-singers take part in one tradition, however. Harris said audiences always stand during the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus because when King George II first heard the beautiful music at its 1743 London premier, he stood up in admiration. Protocol dictates that when the King stands, everyone else does as well. The tradition has persisted.
No one has to sit in an assigned seat, but those who are willing are directed to different sections based on vocal range, sopranos with sopranos and the like.
He said no one should be shy about joining in as the trained soloists will also be singing. “There is safety in numbers,” he quipped. “If you don’t know a section, someone next to you will. It goes really well and always ends up sounding good.”
The program will introduce bass-baritone Greg Flower, who performs opera, operetta, musical theatre, oratorio, art song and choral masterworks.
Returning is soprano Louise Fauteux, mezzo Meredith Ziegler, and tenor Paul Patinka as the vocal soloists and Laurel Larsen as organist.
James Sinclair, artistic director of Orchestra New England, will conduct the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and the guest soloists.
Despite a trend to having concerts at an earlier hour, Music in the Nave will continue to hold the concert at 8 p.m. because “we want people to go out, have a good dinner at 6 o’clock and come on over in a really good mood, full of good food and drink,” Harris said.
Another reflection of the emphasis on community is keeping prices lower. While concert tickets are normally between $30 and $35, admission to this concert is $25. Tickets can be purchased here or at the door. Student admission is free.
For more information, call 860-927-3486, email office.sa.kent@gmail.com, or visit www.standrewskentct.org/mitn.html.
