Each year in early December, The First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich creates a true community musical event for local singers and music lovers by assembling a Festival Chorus to present the Christmas part of Handel’s Messiah.
The First Church Festival Chorus is accompanied by the First Church Chamber Orchestra, with this year’s professional soloists Gileann Tan, soprano, Sarah Bleasdale, mezzo soprano, Daniel Young, tenor, and Brian Mummert, bass.
“Everyone who has some choral experience is welcome to join this special Festival Chorus,” said Dr. Craig Scott Symons, Minister of Music at First Church, who conducts the performance. “We want everyone who loves to sing to experience the joy of performing this great holiday piece with a chamber orchestra and a group of very talented chorus members.”
On Monday evening, December 6, at 7:30 pm, singers are invited to join the Festival Chorus rehearsal; an additional dress rehearsal with the orchestra is scheduled for Wednesday evening, December 8, also at 7:30 pm. A refundable score deposit is $20 and singers are required to use a score provided by the church. Masks are also required.
The 55th annual performance will take place on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4:00 pm. The performance is open to the public and a freewill offering will be received, with suggested $20 donation.
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich is located at 108 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich and is fully accessible. In observance of COVID-19 protocols, masks are required while in the building.
Seating is first come, first served, and the Meetinghouse will open at 3:30 pm. In addition to in-person viewing, the concert will be live streamed on the church’s YouTube channel.