OCEAN CITY – Choral musicians have a long-standing tradition of gathering to sing through parts or all of a major work such as an oratorio. Here is the way it works:
Singers gather without rehearsal, often bringing their own copies of the music. Everyone is seated by voice parts, with the orchestra on the stage. Soloists sing with the chorus and fill in some of the arias. Various conductors lead sections of the work and the group sings along. Some just come to listen. It is a like a “flash mob” with a cultural flair.
The Messiah Sing-in at Ocean City Tabernacle, Sat., Dec. 3, 4 p.m., will include church choirs from St. Peter’s United Methodist, First Presbyterian, Linwood Community Church, Central United Methodist, and individual singers from the area. Members of the Mainland Chorale, Angelus Chorus, and other community choirs will be singing. Soloists are soprano Nancy Fox, alto Jeanne Leisner, tenor Doug Murdock, and, for the pastoral recitatives, eight-year-old Abbi Murphy. Jack Griffin plays the four-manual Allen Renaissance organ and Brian Thomas completes the baroque sound with the electronic harpsichord. Conductors include Elaine King, Sandra Miller, Doug Murdock, Jeff Seals, and Richard Stanislaw.
The orchestra consists of students in the Atlantic Youth Orchestra along with many of their teachers and other instrumentalists. All are donating their talents as a gift to the community, another sing-in tradition.
It is not necessary to be part of a choir to participate—the “sing-in” style always includes individuals who just come. Scores will be provided. And, everyone is drawn into the music by being among the crowd—whether or not they read music.
Just as an additional celebration, the sing-in crowd will start with carols, sung with the orchestra and the Tabernacle’s organist Jeff Seals and pianist Carolyn Lothian—lead by Richard Stanislaw.
For information on the December 3, Ocean City Sing-in, instrumentalists call 646.4762 or 926.9474; singers call 399.1915. Cape May also sponsors a Sing-in, Fri., Nov. 25, 7:30 pm, at Cape Island Baptist Church, 115 Guerney Street, Cape May.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
