The 10th Messiah Sing-in will be performed Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 North Park St. in Cortez.
According to a news release emailed by Patricia Faulkner, the first Cortez sing-in was performed in 2012 as a result of planning by a committee composed of Ruth Wilson-Francisco, Gwen Tanner, Brooke Snyder, Joy Steffan and Faulkner. Since then, it has been a yearly event with the exception of a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The original performance was accompanied by piano and organ and has now grown to a chamber orchestra including piano, organ, viola, cello, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, saxophone, French horn, oboe, bassoon, timpani, and clavinova. Orchestra members and soloists are all from the Cortez area.
Through the years, soloists have ranged in age from 12 to 92. Choral numbers, including For Unto Us a Child is Born and the Hallelujah Chorus, are performed by unrehearsed vocalists who participate in the sing-in. The goal has always been “Participation not perfection.”
Those who wish to sing should arrive at 5:30 p.m., the news release said. A limited number of scores will be available.
The event is free to participants and audience, and refreshments will be served after the event. For more information, call (970) 570-9680.
