‘Messiah Sing’ returns to Manhasset Dec. 10

The Island Now
Messiah Sing returns to Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock on Dec. 10. (Photo courtesy of Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will present its annual holiday Messiah Sing at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Congregation’s facility at 48 Shelter Rock Road in Manhasset.

Each year the Congregation’s 50-voice choir invites the public to join in the performance of selected portions of this masterwork by George Frederic Handel. The performance will feature internationally acclaimed soloists – soprano Lindsay Ohse, mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert Levitt, tenor John Kun Park and bass baritone Brace Negron. The entire Part I (Christmas portion) will be sung, with selected choruses from Parts II and III rounding out the event.

Leading the performance will be conductor Stephen Michael Smith, Music Director of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock since 1999.

Smith also serves as Conductor and Music Director of Symphonic Pops Orchestra of Long Island (formerly the Senior Pops), DMC Summer Festival Chorus and Orchestra, and the Danbury Community Orchestra in Connecticut. His guest conducting credits include the Wroclaw Symphonic Orchestra (Poland), Karlovy Vary Symphony (Czech Republic), St. Petersburg Camerata (Russia), Danbury Symphony Orchestra, New Britain Symphony, Riverside Choral Society, and Schola Cantorum of Harvard University. He has also served as Music Director of the Shrewsbury Chorale and the Dalton Alumni Chorale, having prepared both organizations for their Carnegie Hall debuts.

Smith was selected twice to participate in the opening concerts of the International Northern Baltic Festival at the historic Catherine the Great Theater of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

At the mechanical-action Jaeckel pipe organ will be Christopher Creaghan, Associate Organist for The Riverside Church. Mr. Creaghan has performed recitals on many of New York’s largest instruments, including the organs of St. Bartholomew’s Church, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and has performed with such groups as The Collegiate Chorale, The New York Virtuoso Singers, The Dessoff Choirs, at the Berkshire Choral Festival, and with the American Symphony Orchestra at the Bard Music Festival and Carnegie Hall. Mr. Creaghan, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, is an active member of the American Guild of Organists and past Dean of the New York City Chapter.  Members of the Orchestra at Shelter Rock, under the direction of concertmistress Jennifer Ahn, will accompany the choral selections at the performance.

Scores of Handel’s Messiah will be provided for those who wish to sing, but participants are encouraged to bring personal scores if they possess them (Watkins Shaw edition preferred). While all attendees are invited and encouraged to sing, those wishing to simply listen to the amassed choir and soloists are cordially welcome.

A contribution of $8 will be requested at the door ($5 for Congregation members) which includes use of a vocal score. Adequate free parking is available, and the facility is fully handicapped accessible.

All attendees are invited to meet the artists following the event at a reception in the Shelter Rock Art Gallery.

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