Lancaster Festival Orchestra members unite for sing-along
Few central Ohio arts events suggest summer like the Lancaster Festival.
This year, however, audiences won’t have to wait for the return of 80-degree temperatures to hear an encore from the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, the 65-member group conducted by Artistic Director Gary Sheldon.
On Saturday, 19 members of the orchestra — plus vocal soloists and a chorus — will perform a sing-along version of George Frideric Handel’s 1742 oratorio “Messiah” at Fairfield Christian Church in Lancaster.
“You can attend no matter what level of experience you have with chorus or not,” Sheldon said. “This will still be a fun and inspiring experience.”
Although the Lancaster Festival hosts several small events outside the summer months, the orchestra has never before been featured in an off-season concert.
“Our model talks about the Lancaster Festival bringing year-round art and music to the community,” said executive director Ken Culver. “That is what our goal is, but we haven’t done too much of that. ... We’ve stretched out a few months, but this is really a bigger stretch.”
Among the challenges, Sheldon said, was assuring the availability of orchestra members, many of whom org 7 p.m. Saturday donations accepted of nonperishable food items for area food pantries and cash, with profits going to food pantries
live outside of central Ohio.
“Professional musicians tend to be extra busy during holiday time,” Sheldon said. “Fortunately, with a pool of so many musicians in our orchestra, we were able to find 19 outstanding players.”
That number reflects the instrumentation intended by Handel, Sheldon said.
“This is a work from the baroque era,” Sheldon said. “It was typical to have a few woodwinds, and even fewer brass, along with a full string section and organ, so we will have all of those there.”
Selections from Handel’s work, which commemorates the events of Christmas and Easter, will be performed.
“Our version will include all of the Christmas portion and several highlights from the Easter portion, including the Hallelujah Chorus,” Sheldon said.
Audience members will be seated according to their interest in joining the singalong. The front area of the church, Sheldon said, will be set aside for singers intending to accompany the chorus as it performs onstage.
“If you’d like to sing in one of the sections, there will be a section reserved for each of the four vocal groups: the soprano, alto, tenor and bass,” Sheldon said. “We hope you will sing out and sing joyfully.”
Those less self-assured in their singing will be directed to general seating.
“Anyone else in the audience who wishes to bring their music — perhaps they’re a little more shy or they don’t read music but they’d like to sing along to the sections they know — please do,” Sheldon said. “This is your chance to sit and hum along, or sing along, with the ‘Messiah.’”
Sheldon will be in a sharing mood for “Messiah”: While he will conduct many passages, three guest conductors — Clarence McCoy of First United Methodist Church; Nathan Ogg of First Presbyterian Church; and V. David Spencer of St. Mark Cantata and Orchestra, all of Lancaster — will be featured.
“The season is about sharing,” Sheldon said, “and what a perfect way for us to kick off the season.”