Soloists from the 2015 sing-along, from left: Ethan Greene, bass; Logan Webber, tenor; Jaely Chamberlain, soprano; Amanda Palmeiro, mezzo soprano; David Lang, organist; and Allan Laino, conductor.
Reston — For many years, the “Messiah” has been performed by the Reston Chorale during the holidays. That tradition continued at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston.
“We have been performing the ‘Messiah’ either as a sing-along or in concert since the very beginning ... throughout the chorale’s 50 years,” says Susan Meeks-Versteeg, the chorale’s managing director.
There are several movements to composer George Frideric Handel’s religiously-themed musical work, known as an oratorio. This Reston performance included the “Hallelujah” chorus portion.
“The Christmas portion to the ‘Messiah’ just speaks to people in a way that really gets to the heart of the holiday,” says Meeks-Versteeg. “When you think of Christmas music, the ‘Messiah’ is the piece that you think of first and foremost.”
The sing-along included guest soloists Crossley Hawn, soprano; Barbara Hollinshead, mezzo soprano; C. J. David, tenor; and Richard Giarusso, bass.
“They are some of the top singers in the D.C. area,” says Meeks-Versteeg.
The Reston Chorale’s Associate Director Allan Laino conducted the performance while Artistic Director David Lang played the organ.
For the third year in a row, the public was encouraged to bring new or gently used coats and winterwear to donate to Cornerstones, a local nonprofit, for a $5 discount on admission.
“Donations seem to grow every year,” says Meeks-Versteeg.