"MESSIAH FOR ALL"
An Invitation to All Readers and Friends to Sing or Join the Audience! “Messiah for All” at Kirkcudbright Parish Church on Saturday, 7 March 2015.
Over 150 singers have already signed for up for this ‘Come and Sing’ event, likely to be a roof-raising and exhilarating performance of this master piece by the German composer George Frederick Handel. The cost to each participant for the Workshop and taking part in the performance is £10. Non-singing members of the audience will also be charged £10 admission, all net proceeds going to St Cuthbert’s Trust in furtherance of the aim to convert the 1838 William Burn’s Kirkcudbright Parish Church into a Community Hub which the congregation itself will access along with other users.
Bookings for both participants and audience, with payment in advance, should be made to David McHale by Monday, 16 February 2015. David will issue all tickets, including tickets for the buffet being prepared by our members Campbell and Sheila Blair. Your remittance should be made payable to “St. Cuthbert’s Trust” (Scottish Charity No. SC 044173 for your information) and be accompanied with a S.A.E. sent to David McHale, whose contact details are c/o Church Office.
Members of the audience, who have not pre-booked, will still be able to pay on the night.
Programme for the Day
Participants should arrive between 12.40pm - 12.50pm. In the Church, you will be directed to where your ‘voice part’ is sitting and you will be able to choose a seat in preparation for the beginning of the workshop. Please keep your belongings with you at all times and store them safely on or under your seat when they are not in use. Please bring with you:
1. A copy of the Novello Edition of Messiah edited by Watkins Shaw: Copyright 1959. The cover colours are in both orange and dark green. Each person should have their own copy to sing from. The editions of “Messiah” that are compatible are the Watkins Shaw editions from 1959 onwards, including the 1981 edition. To keep costs down for participants, you should think about hiring copies from your choral group(s) or libraries in the first instance. However, new copies are available to purchase on Amazon, with copies purchased recently from Amazon by two participants at a cost £8 each. Please note that editions by other publishers are not suitable, including the modern edition by Ebenezer Prout
2. A pencil and a rubber for marking your copy during the workshop. With borrowed copies of music, it is usually standard practice to be allowed to lightly mark your copy with pencil and rub it out before handing it back.
The workshop will begin promptly at 1.00pm with a vocal warm-up. There will be coffee/tea breaks in the Church Hall mid afternoon with sopranos and altos going first for their break, to allow a practice time with tenors and basses first. This will be followed by a change round allowing practice time with sopranos and altos, while tenors and basses have their coffee/tea break. Exact times will be announced on the day. Please make your way back to your seat in the Church at at the specified time for the second half of the workshop from 3.20pm – 5.00pm. The workshop will finish at 5.00pm. Toilet accommodation will be available in the Town Hall, Parish Church Hall and at the Church by WC in Fields.
A buffet supper will be available in the Parish Hall, 5.00pm – 6.30pm. On the Menu:
Chicken fillet strips in Tomato and Basil sauce or Casserole of Beef in red wine sauce or Vegetable Ragout (vegetarian option) served with buttered new potatoes, green salad and crusty bread. Cost £6.00. Additionally, tea or coffee with homemade shortbread available. Cost £1.50 Wine, soft drinks by the glass at the bar.
At 6.30pm people make your way to your seats for the performance, ensuring you are seated by 6.45pm.
Dress code
Afternoon workshop:
Casual, comfortable attire. There will be some standing required; therefore it is advisable to wear flat and comfortable shoes. As the weather can still be cold in March, please bring a warm top or jacket to wear in the Church should it be needed.
Evening performance:
As this is a performance to the public, it is important that we look smart. The following is recommended.
Ladies: White blouse, black cardigan, black trousers, black full length skirt, or black skirt with black tights, flat black shoes Gentlemen: White shirt, black trousers, black shoes
If black attire is not readily available, dark navy or a dark grey is allowable for both sexes.
Male and female changing accommodation will be provided in the Church Hall between 5.00pm and 6.30pm.
Preparation for the Day
It is advised that participants are familiar with their part of each movement before the day, this will enable us to work on refining the movements. A good way to become familiar with the notes is to play a CD or tape of Messiah, whilst singing or following your part from your copy of Messiah. Please find below a list of the Chorus parts that will be included in our workshop and performance.
Edward Taylor, Assistant Organist and Director of the Youth Choir, Carlisle Cathedral is thoroughly looking forward to working with us on Saturday, 7 March 2015. Make his day and yours by coming along.
List of Omissions and Performance Instructions (Watkins Shaw edition)
The Chorus parts that we will be working on during the workshop and performing are marked ‘Chorus’ and highlighted in bold, black font. Versions are clearly marked to enable to you follow the correct movements during the performance.
1. Sinfonia (Overture). Grave only (with repeat)
2. Comfort ye
3. Ev’ry valley
4. And the glory of the Lord. Chorus
5. Thus saith the Lord
6. But who may abide. Version I (Alto)
7. And he shall purify. Chorus
8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive
9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion. Alto Air and Chorus
10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
11. The people that walked in darkness
12. For unto us a child is born. Chorus
13. Pifa. (1st section only)
14. There were shepherds abiding in the fields
14 And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them
15. And the angel said unto them
16. And suddenly there was with the angel
17. Glory to God. Chorus
18. Rejoice greatly. Version I (4/4)
19. Then shall the eyes. Version II (Alto)
20. He shall feed his flock. Version II (Alto/Soprano)
21. His yoke is easy. Followed by Interval. Chorus
22. Behold the Lamb of God. Semiquaver upbeats (single dotted) Chorus
23. He was despised
24. Surely he hath borne our griefs. Chorus
25. And with his stripes. Chorus
26. All we like sheep. Chorus
27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn
28. He trusted in God. Chorus
29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart
30. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow
31. He was cut off
32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell
33. Lift up your heads. Quaver upbeats (‘and be’, ‘ye everlasting’ etc) Chorus
34 – 37 inclusive omitted
38. How beautiful are the feet. Version I
39. Their sound is gone out. Version I. Chorus
40. Why do the nations. Version I (complete)
41. Let us break their bonds asunder. Chorus
42. He that dwelleth in heaven
43. Thou shalt break them
44. Hallelujah Chorus
45. I know that my redeemer liveth
46. Since by man came death. Chorus
47. Behold I tell you a mystery
48. The trumpet shall sound. No middle section or da capo
49 – 52 inclusive Omitted
53. Worthy is the Lamb (Complete). Chorus
