Sun Aug 31: Chorus launches rehearsals for 'Messiah' in 50th season
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Choirs combine for Handel’s ‘Messiah’; rehearsals start Aug. 31
The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County has big plans for its 50thanniversary this fall. It is collaborating with RainShadow Chorale to bring the classic oratorio “Messiah,” by George Frideric Handel, to local audiences, Nov. 22-23.
An expected combined choir 100 voices strong will join together with a select orchestra to present the beloved work, which includes rousing choral pieces such as “For Unto Us a Child Is Born” and the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, as well as familiar, soaring solos and instrumental interludes. RainShadow Chorale’s artistic director Laurie de Leonne has been tapped to conduct singers.
Rehearsals for the anniversary “Messiah” concerts begin this Sunday, Aug. 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1335 Blaine St., Port Townsend, and continue on Sundays thereafter. Registration begins at 5:30 on the 31st. A second registration is set for 6 p.m. on Sept. 7. The fee is $50. Singers who do not have their own scores (Watkins-Shaw edition), may borrow music.
“It is a real honor to belong to an organization that is celebrating its 50th anniversary, especially to bring the joy and love of song to our friends, family, and the community,” said Linda Atkins, president of the chorus. The Community Chorus began with a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in 1975, and traditionally has presented it every five years during its history, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Messiah production this fall is important to the community,” emphasized Rebecca Nerison, president of RainShadow Chorale. “It is a gift to local people who can stay in our community to hear a classic and much-beloved work performed live. That just doesn't happen often around here. Audiences, and the community, need opportunities to experience classical works; it's an aspect of cultural literacy that deserves to be kept alive for future generations.”
Nerison said that RainShadow agreed to co-sponsor these concerts because it supports the Community Chorus as a sister organization in the arts. “’Messiah’ performance is a huge undertaking, so combining our efforts just makes sense. We share the larger mission of providing opportunities for singers as well as audiences, and everyone benefits,” she said, adding, “We’re thrilled that our RainShadow artistic director, Laurie de Leonne, is eager to conduct the resulting community-based choir and small orchestra that will accompany it.”
No auditions are required to join the Community Chorus. Men are particularly encouraged to participate. For 50 years, the organization has provided an outlet for people to return to singing. Many forms of assistance are offered, including bonus rehearsals, sectional rehearsals of individual voice parts, and sound files for individual practice.
“Our goal has always been to encourage singers who want to sing but have been away from singing and need support to get back into it,” Atkins said.
Germaine Arthur, one of the original singers in the chorus in 1975, and possibly the only continuous member in the organization’s 50-year history, said that when she sings “Messiah,” “I feel a connection to choral singers across the centuries. Although we sing in a small church, you can imagine yourself singing in Notre Dame.” She said that each rehearsal is like a mini voice lesson. “We’re always learning new skills and techniques.”
And for Arthur, another plus: “You meet people from the community that you might otherwise not encounter in your everyday life, all with a shared love of choral music.”
For more details about the Community Chorus and its collaborative Messiah production, visit ptchorus.org, email nowak...@gmail.com, call 360-643-3345, or find the group on Facebook.
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