VoiceScapes, Calgary’s professional vocal ensemble, is delighted to present its tenth annual Sing Along Messiah concert Dec.17.
The event, which has audiences sing the choruses while the young singers perform the solos, runs at 2:30 p.m. at Gaetz Memorial United Church.
“We are delighted to be bringing our much-loved Sing Along Messiah to Red Deer for the first time as part of our 10th anniversary of this event,” explains Christina Jahn, artistic director for VoiceScapes.
“The Sing Along Messiah is really about sharing this glorious music – whether you are singing or not, I always have attendees tell me how much our Sing Along Messiah made their Christmas – that’s a great feeling to bring people such joy.”
The Sing Along Messiah features VoiceScapes with up-and-coming vocal soloists from across Alberta – St. Mary’s H.S. Choir, Central Memorial H.S. Choir, Mount Royal Youth Choir and members of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra all under the baton of Claude Lapalme.
“This event gives young, talented singers the chance to perform a work that will become a staple in their repertoire as professional singers, ” says bass-baritone and vocal coach, Paul Grindlay.
“Each year our audience loves to see who the next ‘crop’ of young singers are,” adds Jahn. “It’s such a wonderful community event that brings together people in the true spirit of Christmas. People return year after year because it’s so much fun.”
VoiceScapes was created in 2000 by two couples — Christina Jahn and Paul Grindlay, and Julie Harris and Jerald Fast. Each singer brings a broad range of performing experience from medieval ensembles, opera companies to solo and choral work.
The group’s mandate is to create distinctive and varied concerts, which include VoiceScapes members in collaboration with other great Canadian musicians. VoiceScapes has been often featured on the University of Calgary Celebrity Series, the University of Alberta’s Music at Convocation Hall Series as well as with Alberta Baroque Ensemble and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
VoiceScapes continues its exploration of medieval music in May 2012 on the Early Music Voices Concert Series presenting Listen Daughter – Music of Medieval Nunneries.
George Frideric Handel’s beloved masterpiece was composed in 1741. It was first performed in Dublin in 1742, and received its London premiere a year later.
Meanwhile, performances of Handel’s Messiah at Christmas are a time-honoured tradition in many English-speaking countries across the world. The piece has a broad appeal, not only to classical music aficionados, but also to those whose musical tastes generally lie elsewhere.
Proceeds from the intermission reception go to the Red Deer Food Bank.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors.
They are free for children under 12, and available through Red Deer Symphony by e-mailing reddeersymphony@telus.net or at the door.
-Weber
