MANSFIELD — Voices soared inside the chapel of the First United Methodist Church Friday evening, as community members gathered to one of the most well-known oratorios in the history of music.
Organized by Mid Ohio Opera, the Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along allowed singers of all ages and skill levels to join and sing seven selections from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” including the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Professional soloists also performed movements from the piece. The soloists included Joel Vega, Heidi Kirschenheiter Vega, Abigail Kirschenheiter Harshbarger, Megan Potter, Chris Humbert and Andrew Potter.
“Part of the ethos of Mid Ohio Opera is to get people involved as much as possible,” said Joel Vega, who serves as the organization’s artistic director. “(Singing) is something that we can all do that is positive. We can all get together and create something beautiful and harmonious.”
Mid Ohio Opera introduced its “Messiah” sing-along event three years ago. Undoubtedly Handel’s most famous work, the oratorio has been performed every year since its debut in 1741 and remains a popular choice for churches and choirs today.
Its jubilant tones and vast familiarity make it an ideal choice for a community sing-along.
“Mansfield has a very strong choral tradition. There used to be four or five large community choirs in Mansfield,” said Vega. “There’s still a lot of those folks around who love singing it (“Messiah”), who always talk about singing it.”
One of those folks was Cheryl Dreher, who brought her own copy of the music. Dreher been an active choir member her whole life, singing in her high school choir, the women’s glee club at Ohio State University and most recently the Ashland Area Chorus.
She sung “Messiah” many times over the years, but it hasn’t gotten old.
Marqua Myers, on the other hand, hadn’t sung “Messiah” since her church choir performed it nearly thirty years ago
“I was a little rusty, but it comes back to you,” she said.
Like many choir members, Myers finds the “Hallelujah Chorus” to be extra special.
“I get goosebumps every time I sing it. I feel privileged to be able to sing it. It’s a masterpiece,” she said.
Becky Arthur also attended the event with her 94-year-old mother, Charlene. Becky’s memories of “Messiah” stretch all the way back to the ninth grade, when she gave a solo performance of the twentieth movement, “He Shall Feed His Flock.” As Potter sang the piece at the front of the church, Becky sang along quietly in her seat.
“I still remember it after all these years,” she said.
To see the community choir perform “Hallelujah Chorus,” click the video below.
