Boulder Messiah Sing-Along

One Christmas tradition that has brought us great joy is the annual Boulder Messiah Sing-Along. We discovered it in 2002, and with one exception, have participated every year since. This will be our 11th year of participation. This year's (2013) three events will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 21st and 22nd. We will be there on Sunday evening, the 22nd. See the link for more information on this 31st annual event..

Mr. Robert Arentz has been conducting this wonderful event three times a year for the past 30 years (this wil be the 31st). Professional soloists and an orchestra are hired.

A festival choir that has been practicing since September leads the singing, and the congregation sings along on all of the choruses.

 Here's a shot of the joyful participants in the annual Messiah Sing-Along in the beautiful sanctuary of St. John's Episcopal Church in Boulder.

 

Another shot of the enthusiastic singers (you can see my wife, our niece, and part of me on the righthand side of the picture).

Everyone is invited. Tickets are only $15, if purchased in advance at The West End Wine Shop (8th and Pearl in downtown Boulder), Page Two (in Gunbarrel), John's Cleaners at 28th and Iris, the Trattoria on Pearl Street (east end of the Mall), St. John's Episcopal Church (14th and Pine Street), or at the door for $20.  If you would like to buy tickets beforehand, they can be purchased via credit card at their web site: www.messiahsingalong.org.  You may also call 303-666-9016 to hold tickets in your name as will-calls, which you can pay for and pick up in the lobby.

Most of the participants in the congregation have sung Messiah many times over and have their own scores, but scores are also available at the door, on loan (free) or for purchase ($10). Don't allow the lack of a score to keep you from one of the most uplifting events of the Christmas season.

For more on Handel, check out an excellent article here.

For much more information about the Sing-Along (Singalong/Sing-a-long) and about G. F. Handel and his music,
check out the Boulder Messiah Sing-Along site here.