Boulder Messiah Chorale and Orchestra

http://www.messiahsingalong.org/

Community sing-along performances of Handel's Messiah

Concert Schedule | Tickets | Chorale Membership and Rehearsals | Soloists and Orchestra | FAQ | Donations | Stories | Handel's Tomb | Further Reading | Boulder Community Network | Choir Humor

Boulder, Colorado
2009 Season

The Boulder Messiah Chorale and Orchestra has performed Handel's Messiah every year since 1983, under the leadership of Robert Arentz. The performances are community "sing-alongs," with professional soloists and with an amateur chorus to provide a core of support for the singing.

Robert Arentz founded the Boulder Messiah Chorale and Orchestra in 1983, out of a desire to provide the Boulder community with a sing-along rendition of Handel's most beloved work, Messiah. The sing-along was founded on a principle of openness - everyone is welcome in the choir, and everyone is welcome in the performance. As an audience member you are not required to sing, but you are certainly invited to sing.

This is truly one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling holiday experiences in Boulder. Please join us!


Concerts

Concerts will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at 14th and Pine in downtown Boulder, on December 19 and 20, 2009. A few copies of the Schirmer's edition are available for loan at the door. You are encouraged to bring your own.
Saturday, December 19
Sunday, December 20

Tickets

Advance tickets for $13 are available at: The West End Wine Shop (8th and Pearl in downtown Boulder); Page Two (in Gunbarrel); John's Cleaners at 28th and Iris; and St. John's Episcopal Church (14th and Pine Street).

Tickets for the performance are also available at the door, and are $15.

Chorale Membership and Rehearsals

The chorale is open and non-auditioned. We will be rehearsing on Tuesdays again this year. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday, beginning September 15, 2009. We meet at 7:00 PM in the First United Methodist Church at 14th and Spruce, in downtown Boulder. Newcomers are welcome to join the chorus through mid-October, while singers with prior experience may be able to join later. Chorus dues are $15.00 for the season.

For more information, call Robert Arentz at (303) 666-9016.

Soloists and Orchestra

Arias and recitatives are performed by four soloists, selected from the Boulder community for their musical abilities. The sing-along is accompanied by a 25-piece chamber orchestra. This is in contrast to many other Messiah sing-alongs that are accompanied only by organ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Donations

The Boulder Messiah Chorale and Orchestra is a 501C-3 non-profit musical organization. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made by contacting the organization at (303) 666-9016, or at performances.

Stories

The oratorio Messiah is a powerful work, for many reasons. This section contains stories of how the Messiah, especially the Hallelujah Chorus, touched someone in a personal way.

Handel's Tomb

George Friederic Handel is buried in the Poets Corner of Westminster Abbey in London. Over his tomb is carved the music and words of his great soprano aria, "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth." Click here to view pictures of the memorial.

Further Reading

On November 3, 2009 the Associated Press published a news story on Messiah Sing-Along events, featuring the Boulder Messiah Chorale and Orchestra. Hallelujah for Handel's 'Messiah' is by reporter Ann Levin.

On December 15, 2007 The Boulder Daily Camera published a story about our 25th year: Sing-along 'Messiah' still alive at 25.

Click here to view a movie taken from the Bass section in the chorus during the Saturday evening concert, December 22, 2007 (12 MB). Sorry, no sound. We are singing the last page of the "Hallelujah Chorus" as an encore.

Here are some web sites about George Handel and his music:
http://gfhandel.org/
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/handel.html
http://bruichladdich.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/HandelWWW/HandelCat.html
http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/handel.html
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/9570/handel/
http://www.sciortino.net/music/gfh.html
http://www.npj.com/homepage/teritowe/gfhindex.html
http://www.ipl.org/div/mushist/bar/handel.htm
http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/handel_pic.html
http://web02.hnh.com/composer/btm.asp?fullname=Handel,%20George%20Frideric

Boulder Community Network

The Boulder Community Network provides information on events in Boulder and the surrounding communities.

Choir Humor

The Choir Proficiency Test
The Young Person's Guide to the SATB Choir
Choir Jokes From BSBC Music Ministry
The Top Ten Reasons for Being a Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Bass

Last modified: November 23, 2009
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