Messiah Sing-In welcomes singers on Friday

KENT — St. Andrew’s “Music in the Nave” Concert Series and the Sherman Chamber Ensemble invite all to take part in the seventh annual Messiah Sing-In at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Set in the intimate nave of St. Andrew’s Church with its exquisite acoustics, four soloists, Jessica Zamek, soprano, Dana Kephart, alto, Trevor Fanning, tenor, and Joe McDonough, bass-baritone, accompanied on strings by members of the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, will relate the story of the birth of Christ through the magnificent music of Part I (The Annunciation) of George Frederick Handel’s immortal work, “Messiah.”

Each of the five sections of Part I, from the Prophecy of the coming of the Messiah and his birth through the Annunciation of the birth to the shepherds, end with a section for a chorus. In the original production in Dublin on April 13, 1742 the chorus consisted of 16 men and 16 boys from St Patrick's and Christ Church cathedrals.

For Friday night’s production, the audience sings the choruses; and even though it is actually the final chorus in Part II, we know everyone wants to sing it, so the Hallelujah Chorus has been added to the end of the program.

All are cordially invited to join in the creation of an extraordinary and fun musical event. For the evening the Nave of the church will be divided into vocal sections, soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Audience members are asked to sit in the section that best fits their vocal range, although you may sit with friends if you prefer. Don’t sing? Then come to listen to your friends and neighbors in this joyous “Singin” of the Christmas Season.

Handel wrote the music score for “Messiah” in just 24 days for a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. In Part I, the Messiah's coming and the Virgin Birth are predicted by the Old Testament prophets. The annunciation to the shepherds of the birth of the Christ is represented in the words of St Luke's Gospel. The Hallelujah Chorus at the end of Part II is the summarization of the definitive statement of God’s Glory.

St. Andrew’s church is located at 1 No. Main St. at the intersection of Routes 7 and 341. Admission is $15 at the door (cash or check only) Discounted $13 Advance Sale tickets can be purchased with a credit card at https://MITNKentCT.eventbrite.com. Students are admitted free. Admission includes a reception in the Parish Hall after the concert. Full scores and partial scores are available for purchase or rent. Proceeds benefit the St. Andrew’s Music Fund. For further information or directions, call 860-927-3486.

Contributed photo Kent St. Andrew's Church and the Sherman Chamber Ensemble will present its Music in the Nave Messiah Sing-In on Friday night.