This weekend, Dec. 21, the Fox Valley Orchestra and Chorus present a "Sing-Along Messiah," an event often known as a "Do-It-Yourself Messiah." Audience members are invited to join the choir in singing choruses from Handel’s masterpiece.
Lisa Fredenburgh is Chorus Master for the Fox Valley Orchestra Chorus, which will be singing Part 1, the Christmas portion, along with "the Hallelujah Chorus," from Handel’s oratorio “The Messiah.” The work is technically difficult and physically demanding. Despite that, it’s been a fixture for choirs and a favorite of audiences since its premiere more than 200 years ago. Fredenburgh says there are good reasons for that.
“It’s tuneful. It gets in your head. I think there are might be some earworms in there, some little hooks that Handel put in that stay with you. I don’t know how you don’t go away humming ‘For unto Us a Child Is Born’ or ‘Glory to God.’ It’s also incredibly ebullient music and people just like it.”
Gregory McMahill is Director of Development for the Fox Valley Orchestra, and a member of the Chorus. McMahill says this is only the second Messiah he’s ever done, but he’s already found what Fredenburgh says is true.
“Messiah does have a lot of memorable spots, where you go away, it’s stuck in your head, you’re singing it for days.”
McMahill says he’s especially excited, because he’s never done a Do-It-Yourself Messiah. Which gets to the next question. Fredenburgh has done a number of Do-It-Yourself Messiahs. So how does she explain their popularity?
“There’s something about the energy of sitting with a bunch of people. You may know them, you may not know them, and you’re all singing along one of the great pieces on the planet. You don’t get to do that every day.”
And, Fredenburgh says, it’s not just the novelty that makes this kind of concert worth doing. It goes deeper. “That experience of doing the music, is in many ways, greater than listening. You get to feel like you’re part of the experience - you ARE the experience. And I think if it’s done well and with a good spirit, it could be a very moving experience.
At least, Fredenburgh says, that’s been HER experience.
The Fox Valley Orchestra and Chorus hold their Do-It Yourself Messiah Sunday afternoon, Dec. 21, at 3 PM in the Batavia Fine Arts Center.
