We performed our Messiah concerts last night after months of rehearsals. Our conductor, Sunny Pryor, was very pleased with the results. Both churches were jammed packed and we had to stop selling tickets because we ran out of seats. The sound was crisp and the 18-piece orchestra was well-trained.
The Honors Youth Concert did a fine job singing. These boys are girls range from age 9-16 and are drawn from the North Shore communities. We were impressed with the clarity of their voices and the precision with which they hit their notes. Their parents were beaming with pride as they watched their sons and daughters perform.
The soloists were a soprano, tenor, and baritone. They were terrific. One piece was stunning, "The Trumpet Shall Sound," which announces the Resurrection of Christ. The baritone has great energy and it was wildly matched and exceeded by the trumpeter. I'm still blown away at the excitement of it.
One of my favorites is still "For unto us a child is born." Handel certainly favored the alto sections and our women rose to the challenges easily. It is an incredibly fun piece to sing, and yet the meaning that is conveyed in words and music brings many to tears.
I was fascinated as I watched people close their eyes and absorb the music or they thumped their head to the music or they just sat there smiling or with their mouths agape. The spontaneous applause at the conclusion told us that we did an admirable job.
Chorus North Shore is 140 strong. With such fervor, we must have shaken the rafters of the churches. It is a tremendous grace to sing with people who enjoy their avocation. The more I sing, the more confident I am and the more intrigued I am with musical arrangements. Music is opening new channels of enjoyment.
Afterwards, a number of us retreated to a friend's house where we had plenty of munchies before we sang carols. What a blessing to know people who love to sing and bring beauty into the lives of others. Bravo!
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