Can we get a Hallelujah?
The Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus sets a seasonal tone with the Joseph A. Favero Memorial “Do-It-Yourself” Messiah & Carol Sing-Along Dec. 10 at St. Anastasia Church in Waukegan.
This Waukegan musical holiday tradition started in 2007 to honor its namesake.
“Mr. Favero was a Waukegan Park District commissioner, and he desired for the Waukegan community to have a local ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Messiah concert to attend and enjoy,” said Music Director Alexander Platt. “We continue to dedicate our ‘Messiah’ concert in Mr. Favero’s memory.”
As you can guess by the title, this concert requires audience participation.
“For anyone who has not had the joy of experiencing a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Messiah, they will find themselves at a very enjoyable concert where the audience is encouraged to sing during the ‘chorus’ moments of the piece,” Platt explained. “The music is beautiful and is very well known, even if you are not a regular participant of classical music — everyone knows the ‘Hallelujah!’ chorus.”
“Messiah” was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741 and over the centuries has become a fixture of the Christmas season throughout the United States and England.
“We play the ‘Christmas portion’ of the ‘Messiah,’ which ends with the grand finale of the ‘Hallelujah!’ chorus,” Platt said. “The Waukegan Symphony performs a rescored version of Handel’s masterpiece, by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”
But don’t worry about jumping into the deep end first, so to speak.
“We kick off our concert with the Christmas Carol Sing-Along to help everyone warm up their vocal cords and also to just get comfortable signing in public,” Platt said. Note that masks are required for all symphony and concert chorus members as well as the audience.
The carol piece is full of favorites including “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.”
“Working with a singing audience is a real joy,” Platt said. “My first year leading the Waukegan Symphony’s ‘Messiah’ concert in 2019 was such a wonderful surprise.”
He loved interacting with the audience.
“It was so heartwarming to have a full house with everyone attentively awaiting me to cue them for the chorus sections,” Platt said. “Having an opportunity for the audience to be part of the music is a great experience for all of us.”
The “Messiah” is actually the only concert each year where Waukegan Symphony works with vocal soloists. This year’s four guest vocal soloists include mezzo-soprano Liana German, tenor Sam Grosby, soprano Angela De Venuto and baritone Dominic German.
“The music is, of course, beautiful, iconic and immortal,” Platt said. “I am excited to experience another year of the Waukegan community gathering to celebrate the season, enjoy each other’s company and to help make memorable music.”
For many singers, the “Messiah” is a must-do.
“Some of our audience members come back every year, carrying their own music; others come to just enjoy the experience and ambience,” Platt said. “For many, the holiday season does not kick off until they have enjoyed our ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Messiah.”
Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus’s Joseph A. Favero Memorial ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Messiah & Carol Sing-Along
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: St. Anastasia Church, 624 Douglas Ave., Waukegan
Tickets: $10-$20
Information: 847-360-4740; waukeganparks.org/wsocc/
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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