Scratch Messiah
Encyclopedia
A Scratch Messiah, People's Messiah, Come Sing Messiah, Sing-it-yourself Messiah, or Sing along Messiah (the first two British and Australian usage, the last two common in North America) is an informal performance of Handel's Messiah
in which the audience serves as the unrehearsed chorus
, often supported by a carefully prepared core group. Orchestra and soloists are usually professionals, though their services are often donated for charity benefits
. The name should by no means be confused with the experimental scratch orchestra
tradition, but rather derives from the idea of cooking from scratch
.
Such performances have become a tradition among music lovers in the English-speaking world, especially around Christmas time, and appear to be developing a following in the Netherlands and China as well. Often a "Sing-along Messiah" is organised in a concert hall or church, where a choir has rehearsed the music, but the public are invited to bring scores and join in. On a smaller scale, a Messiah party may take the form of a group of friends gathered around the piano in someone's home, and this is typically sung entirely a prima vista
. Usually these are informal events, though occasionally there is a dress code: formal concert dress or even 18th century period costume. Frequently these events are held during Advent
, and often they are associated with fund-raising for charitable purposes.
One example of a large-scale event is the "Do-It-Yourself Messiah" held in Chicago
since 1976, organized by the International Music Foundation. It is held in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. There is a volunteer orchestra and hired soloists, and the audience serves as the chorus. Similarly, CAMMAC in Canada organizes "Come! Sing Messiah" events. Avery Fisher Hall
at Lincoln Center is another large-scale annual event, with professional orchestra and soloists. It uses nearly two dozen conductors chosen from various choirs in New York City, who each conduct one selection from the work.
The largest regular performance in the UK, the "Messiah from Scratch", is held annually at the Royal Albert Hall
, London. This was first held in 1974. Since 1979 this performance has been conducted by David Wilcocks. On 15 November 2009 Sir David, only one month from his 90th birthday, conducted for the 35th anniversary. The event was sold out with over 3,900 present. In November 2010 Brian Kay
conducted his first Messiah from Scratch to a full house.
A list of upcoming events was formerly maintained on a page at gfhandel.org.
Messiah (Handel)
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later...
in which the audience serves as the unrehearsed chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, often supported by a carefully prepared core group. Orchestra and soloists are usually professionals, though their services are often donated for charity benefits
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
. The name should by no means be confused with the experimental scratch orchestra
Scratch Orchestra
The Scratch Orchestra was an experimental musical ensemble founded in the spring of 1969 by Cornelius Cardew, Michael Parsons and Howard Skempton....
tradition, but rather derives from the idea of cooking from scratch
From scratch
From scratch may refer to:* "from basic components", as in a cake made from scratch, not from a commercial pre-mix, showing the skill or knowledge of the cookFrom Scratch may refer to:* From Scratch * From Scratch...
.
Such performances have become a tradition among music lovers in the English-speaking world, especially around Christmas time, and appear to be developing a following in the Netherlands and China as well. Often a "Sing-along Messiah" is organised in a concert hall or church, where a choir has rehearsed the music, but the public are invited to bring scores and join in. On a smaller scale, a Messiah party may take the form of a group of friends gathered around the piano in someone's home, and this is typically sung entirely a prima vista
Sight reading
Sight-reading is the reading and performing of a piece of written music, specifically when the performer has not seen it before. Sight-singing is often used to describe a singer who is sight-reading.-Sight-reading:...
. Usually these are informal events, though occasionally there is a dress code: formal concert dress or even 18th century period costume. Frequently these events are held during Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
, and often they are associated with fund-raising for charitable purposes.
One example of a large-scale event is the "Do-It-Yourself Messiah" held in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
since 1976, organized by the International Music Foundation. It is held in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. There is a volunteer orchestra and hired soloists, and the audience serves as the chorus. Similarly, CAMMAC in Canada organizes "Come! Sing Messiah" events. Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall is a concert hall, in New York City and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. It is the home of the New York Philharmonic, with a capacity of 2,738 seats.-History:...
at Lincoln Center is another large-scale annual event, with professional orchestra and soloists. It uses nearly two dozen conductors chosen from various choirs in New York City, who each conduct one selection from the work.
The largest regular performance in the UK, the "Messiah from Scratch", is held annually at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, London. This was first held in 1974. Since 1979 this performance has been conducted by David Wilcocks. On 15 November 2009 Sir David, only one month from his 90th birthday, conducted for the 35th anniversary. The event was sold out with over 3,900 present. In November 2010 Brian Kay
Brian Kay
Brian Kay is an English radio presenter, conductor and singer. He is well known as the bass in the King's Singers during the group's formative years from 1968 until 1982, and as such is to be heard on many of their 1970s LP recordings...
conducted his first Messiah from Scratch to a full house.
External links
- Editions and links at CPDL
- Learning aid MP3 files of choral parts
- Piano accompaniments for Messiah Major Choruses
A list of upcoming events was formerly maintained on a page at gfhandel.org.