There are many sources to learn about the season’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ if you’re unaware of it. This year on December 2, the local choir will carry on the tradition of entertaining the public with a performance of the 18th-century oratorio “Messiah,” which it has been doing for almost 40 years.
Rhonda Hambright, who has been in charge of the performance for more than 20 years, thinks the message is straightforward.
“Jesus is born,” was all she said. “It begins with some extremely amazing music that was composed for it, for the life of Jesus. There are parts where it’s incredibly thrilling, but the chorus is what really takes the cake.
“We already know the story, and you can preach about it all day long, but the music is what really brings it to life.”
Not much can be said about George Frideric Handel’s 1741 composition “Messiah,” which was based on text that Charles Jennens had collected from the Bible. Over the course of around two and a half hours, Messiah—which is more than just a straightforward musical concert—tells the story of Jesus Christ’s life in three parts. It is not exactly an opera.
She claimed that it is almost stated at the start of the performance rather than sung.
The oratorio’s first section will be the only thing performed on December 2 at 3 p.m. at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way. A few pieces from the conclusion will also be performed. It’s approximately an hour long, according to Hambright.
“In summary, the entire event revolves around the shepherds hearing the news of Christ’s birth and the angels declaring, “Glory to God.” It simply sort of bursts onto the scene, the woman said. Most of the information in that section comes from prophecies found in the Book of Isaiah that relate to the birth of Jesus.
“There is an offering made during the last instrumental piece, which helps cover the cost of hiring the quartet and other expenses. The performance lasts for an hour without intermission.”
Although she stated checks made payable to St. Simons Presbyterian Church are accepted, cash is preferred.
Since Hambright is a soprano soloist, it goes without saying that she prefers solos.
“Come unto Him, all Ye who labor,” is the title of the piece that I sing at the very end, as well as the final time any soloists sing. Though it’s a really simple song, it’s really lovely. That’s probably my favorite portion. When at last the hallelujah chorus appears, she remarked. It occurs in the third section, but that is where it ends.
The annual “Messiah” performances date back to the 1950s when the now-defunct Glynn County Mozart Society first organized the event. According to earlier articles in The News, the society was established in 1955 and has been performing excerpts from the work ever since. Before then, the piece had been performed on the Isles by a few one-off events or by touring orchestras and choruses.
Former choir director Barbara Meadows took over the tradition to ensure it continued after the Mozart Society folded. It was her first time directing a performance; at the time, she was the choir director at St. Simons United Methodist Church.
She began by working only with her own choir before inviting the community to join. “They simply emerged from the gaps to sing in it.”
Meadows remarked, “I had learned it mostly in college and just loved it.” “Everyone else did as I had hoped they would. It’s an absolutely fantastic piece of music. I just want them to hear how wonderful of a piece of music it was first and foremost. Handel’s Messiah was only referred to as Christmas.
Every December 1st since then, the performance has taken place, albeit with some hiccups. Only 2020 has been missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Hambright, the group performing the piece now might be known as the Golden Isles Community Chorus, but Golden Isles Community Messiah Chorus might be a better moniker considering there haven’t been any recent performances. But that’s okay, she remarked. Numerous members of the community have participated in the performance since they were young children and have grown up on it.
With the exception of a few specialized parts provided by hired actors, she said it’s nearly entirely volunteer-run. The membership varies frequently, typically hovering around 75.
She went on, “It’s crucial that a community has something like this.”
“We need community music to enhance our community’s cultural life, which is why it’s really important,” she stated. “If we don’t, then people won’t want to relocate here because there won’t be anything for them to go to or for brilliant people to share in. Being able to improve the community’s cultural life is really vital.
Source: The Brunswick News
