Community Sing Along--Messiah

On Sunday evening, we attended the Community Sing-Along of Handel's Messiah.  It was sponsored by Credo Chamber Music and the Conservatory.  It was absolutely delightful.

The solists were students from the Conservatory.  They were all so amazingly talented.  The orchestra was made up of Conservatory students, people from the community, and Credo alumni.  The TrueNorth Chorale was on stage, but the audience was also invited to be a part of the chorus.  We could either sit by section or in a mixed section in the middle.  There were students there and elderly residents and everyone in between.  Some people carried in their much loved Messiah scores, others rented them from the school by making a donation to MedWish International.  We sat near the back of the mixed section.  Justin listened.  I sang.  

I'll admit that I am a bit rusty.  But I managed to get through (I missed a few...okay most...of the sixteenth note runs, but I followed along) and it was such fun.  Around us were people who had clearly sung this piece many, many times.  Others were, like me, a bit more hesitant.  But it worked.

As we reflected on it later, Justin pointed out that we actually sounded really good.  It's one of the perks of living in a town where music is a core.  People move here because of the Conservatory and its offerings.  But what was particularly touching about this night was that it wasn't just about going to listen to professional musicians, or those training to be.  We did that, but our own gifts were encouraged, as well.  Along with those amazingly talented soloists, we sang our little hearts out and we sounded good.  Sure we could have polished those sixteenth note runs (I forget how many are in that score!) a bit more, but we did it.  It was heartwarming.

On Sunday night, a group of people who love to sing (and listen) gathered together and told a story.  We told a story of anticipation, and a story of birth, a story of death, and a story of resurrection.  We told the Biblical story, through music.  It wasn't perfect, but it was beautiful.  It was beautiful because it wasn't perfect.  It was beautiful because it was a bunch of people who came together and shared their gifts, making music that no one person could perform alone.  

On Sunday, a sing along of the Messiah gave us a glimpse into God's kingdom.  A place where strangers came together and were encouraged to participate.  A place where people used their gifts to tell the story of Christ.  A place where we tried our best, and even though it wasn't perfect, it was beautiful.  And at the end of the day, isn't that what it's about?  Telling the story to the best of our ability and remembering that it isn't always about perfection, as much as it is about coming together and trying our best.  And in doing so, letting the light shine through the darkness and hearing, once again, that glorious story that gives us life and hope.  An Advent gift, indeed.