Every December for the last 42 years, hundreds of singers and musicians from the University of Virginia and all over the Charlottesville region have gathered to play and sing arias and choruses from Handel's Messiah. There are no rehearsals, and no one gets paid. The performers have come together for the simple, profound joy of performing this wonderful music. And to have a lot of fun.
Conductor Donald Loach originated the sing-in in 1968 and has led every event. It's one of the oldest --perhaps the very oldest -- Messiah sing-in in the world.
The final piece sung each year is, of course, the Hallelujah Chorus. Click on the arrow below to see and hear this year's performance. It will make you smile.
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I wish everyone the happiest of holiday seasons.
Masterful, John! Thank you so much!!
Posted by: Bob Travis | 15 December 2009 at 01:14 PM
Glad you liked it, Bob. The event itself is amazing--a community gathering in the best and truest sense.
And lots of fun to shoot, of course.
Posted by: John Edwin Mason | 15 December 2009 at 03:39 PM
Thank you so much for posting. I have been a part of this marvelous experience in the past, but couldn't attend this year. I loved the photographs and the music and I cheered right along with the choir when it ended. It was beautiful and made my holiday. Wonderful!!!
Posted by: Pat Temples | 15 December 2009 at 04:44 PM
Nice job, John! Thanks so much!
Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
Posted by: Charles Winkler | 18 December 2009 at 01:26 AM
Pat and Charles,
It means a lot to me to know that you liked the slideshow.
Thanks!
Posted by: John Edwin Mason | 18 December 2009 at 09:54 AM
...and it DID make me smile! Thanks for posting this wonderful event.
Lily Butler
Posted by: Lily Butler | 18 December 2009 at 11:29 AM