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Besides Tchaikovsky’s music for “The Nutcracker,” Handel’s “Messiah” may be the most familiar classical music of the holiday season. The iconic oratorio, including the “Hallelujah” chorus, is so familiar that often times the audience chimes in.
The Southern Delaware Choral Society is returning to “Messiah” this year, and inviting guests soloists and the public to join them.
The Southern Delaware Choral Society was formed around Handel’s “Messiah,” so it’s fitting that the group returns to the music every so often, according to Gail Launay, executive director. Now in its 26th year, the group formed because its founding members wanted to have a “Messiah” sing-along to go to and there weren’t any around, so they started one themselves.
“It keeps coming back to us that this is the most popular thing we do,” she said. “‘Messiah’ is maybe what we do best.”
Launay said even though they perform the same music, the group’s “Messiah” is never the same show twice.
“Over the years, we have stretched ourselves to continue to provide a unique perspective,” she said.
This year the group has hired talented up-and-comers to lend their voices to the music. Soprano Meghan McCall, tenor Brian Cheney, mezzo Julie Diniz and bass-baritone Andrew Adelsberger will handle the complex solos.
Backing the singers will be members of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. At Sunday’s show, the audience will get a chance to sing along, a rare opportunity to do so with an orchestra backing them.
“It’s a marriage of all those elements that makes this year’s program particularly exciting,” Launay said.
People love to sing along to the familiar music, so tickets for Sunday’s show are going fast, Launay said.
It’s a popular selection for those who’d like to raise their voices because for one thing, it’s in English. Launay said it also appeals to people because if they’re used to singing in church and nowhere else, this is familiar material.
Plus, there’s the community spirit of the event.
“There’s a great feeling of camaraderie,” Launay said.
The broad appeal of the music is, in part, due to the mythology that surrounds it. There’s a belief that King George II stood for the “Hallelujah” chorus performance when it was performed in London, and that is why we still stand for the chorus today. Some believe he stood not out of respect, but because he needed to use the restroom.
“They’re standing because once upon a time, somebody had to pee,” she said.
That story endears the tradition to people, even to those at Sussex Community Corrections Center, where members of the group performed the “Hallelujah” chorus last week.
Immediately following Sunday’s concert there will be a fundraiser dinner in the DTCC Student Center. The dinner, catered by Lighthouse Restaurant, is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 6 to 10, and free for children younger than 6.
For more on the dinner, email dantabler2@gmail.com.
Besides Tchaikovsky’s music for “The Nutcracker,” Handel’s “Messiah” may be the most familiar classical music of the holiday season. The iconic oratorio, including the “Hallelujah” chorus, is so familiar that often times the audience chimes in.
The Southern Delaware Choral Society is returning to “Messiah” this year, and inviting guests soloists and the public to join them.
The Southern Delaware Choral Society was formed around Handel’s “Messiah,” so it’s fitting that the group returns to the music every so often, according to Gail Launay, executive director. Now in its 26th year, the group formed because its founding members wanted to have a “Messiah” sing-along to go to and there weren’t any around, so they started one themselves.
“It keeps coming back to us that this is the most popular thing we do,” she said. “‘Messiah’ is maybe what we do best.”
Launay said even though they perform the same music, the group’s “Messiah” is never the same show twice.
“Over the years, we have stretched ourselves to continue to provide a unique perspective,” she said.
This year the group has hired talented up-and-comers to lend their voices to the music. Soprano Meghan McCall, tenor Brian Cheney, mezzo Julie Diniz and bass-baritone Andrew Adelsberger will handle the complex solos.
Backing the singers will be members of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. At Sunday’s show, the audience will get a chance to sing along, a rare opportunity to do so with an orchestra backing them.
“It’s a marriage of all those elements that makes this year’s program particularly exciting,” Launay said.
People love to sing along to the familiar music, so tickets for Sunday’s show are going fast, Launay said.
It’s a popular selection for those who’d like to raise their voices because for one thing, it’s in English. Launay said it also appeals to people because if they’re used to singing in church and nowhere else, this is familiar material.
Plus, there’s the community spirit of the event.
“There’s a great feeling of camaraderie,” Launay said.
The broad appeal of the music is, in part, due to the mythology that surrounds it. There’s a belief that King George II stood for the “Hallelujah” chorus performance when it was performed in London, and that is why we still stand for the chorus today. Some believe he stood not out of respect, but because he needed to use the restroom.
“They’re standing because once upon a time, somebody had to pee,” she said.
That story endears the tradition to people, even to those at Sussex Community Corrections Center, where members of the group performed the “Hallelujah” chorus last week.
Immediately following Sunday’s concert there will be a fundraiser dinner in the DTCC Student Center. The dinner, catered by Lighthouse Restaurant, is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 6 to 10, and free for children younger than 6.
For more on the dinner, email dantabler2@gmail.com.
