The event gives an opportunity to community members, and members of other churches throughout the area, to gather and collaborate after Christmas for one grand final event. Community members are encouraged to come and enjoy the music, or even participate and join rehearsals if one wishes to.

The Messiah Sing-Along will see a massive collective performance of the song Messiah by George Frideric Handel. This Dublin tune was first presented on April 13, 1742, and is known for telling the story of the life of Jesus Christ. Event organizer Joyce Brasted stated that the group will be singing the Christmas portion of the song, as is traditionally done, before ending with the Hallelujah chorus, which is separate from the Christmas portion.

The choir does not only use singers from St. Luke’s, but actually employs choir singers from all over the community. Brasted noted that additional choir members have come from the First Lutheran church, the Fredonia Community Choir, and many more groups from throughout the county. Brasted stated that the choir typically totals 40 to 50 people, in comparison to the roughly 15 people that the choir is typically composed of. Brasted also noted that Phillip McMullen will be offering his services as the conductor, and that Brian Bogey will be the premier organist for the group. On top of these special guests, soloists from all around will be showing off some skills. Soloists from the Jamestown area include Gavin Card, Marika Koch, and Victoria McIlvain. Brasted stated that other soloists will include Brody Brown of SUNY Fredonia, and Sunnybrook graduate Michaela Larsen, who is currently living in Brooklyn.

“To be able to more than double your choir size is pretty exciting in our small town. We have on occasion, I think about four years ago, had a few other musicians,” said Brasted. “But just being able to play that beautiful organ at St. Luke’s is quite a treat.”

The choir performs at a past year’s Messiah Sing-Along, joined by member of the crowd. Photos submitted by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Brasted, and her husband Scott, initially began this event in partnership with St. Luke’s back in 2018. Brasted actually noted that the Community Music Project used to hold a similar event back in the 1990s, but the sing-along had not been held in the area in many years. With Brasted having such a deep personal connection to these sing-alongs, and music as a whole, it was an honor for her to be able to bring the event to this area.

Brasted stated that, from a young age, her family was always singing and attending Messiah sing-alongs around Christmas time. Brasted noted how this love would continue into her young adult life, with her and friends attending the yearly sing-along at the Kennedy Center. Just to get tickets to this event, Brasted and friends would wait in line beginning at 7 a.m., be welcomed inside at 9 a.m., before finally being able to purchase tickets at 10 a.m.

“So it was a wide variety of friends from different groups, who all enjoyed classical music,” stated Brasted. “So it was kind of a part of Christmas for me growing up, and then into my adult years.”

The sing-along will take place at St. Luke’s on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. The event is of no cost, and anybody from the community is welcome to join. Those interested in participating in the choir are welcomed to attend the rehearsal on Dec. 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Brasted also noted that the choir members will rehearse the piece at 6:15 p.m. on the night of the concert, to get a practice and warm-up in shortly before the performance.

A soloist showing off his skills during the sing-along.