When Handel composed "Messiah" in the 1740s, he wanted it to be performed as a concert, said Tom Berdos, director of music at Chiques United Methodist Church (UMC) in Mount Joy. With that desire in mind, Berdos is inviting singers in the Mount Joy area to join him for a performance of the piece in December. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church, 1215 E. Main St., beginning on Oct. 6.
"This is a new and unique opportunity for this community," said Berdos, who has been conducting "Messiah" for about 20 years at other locations. "I do it for the glory of God, and it gives people the opportunity to sing this wonderful piece of music."
Berdos is looking for all voice parts for the concert, which will be presented with a full orchestra he assembled and will run about 70 minutes. He noted that the church can accommodate up to 90 singers and that people have returned year after year to perform the piece. In 2018, he held the concert in the metro New York area of New Jersey, and a group from there will Zoom in for rehearsals and perform live at the December concert.
Berdos said he does not hold auditions for the performance, but rather leaves it up to people to know their voice part and capabilities. "Some people come to the first or second rehearsal and think, 'I'm not sure I can do this,' but I encourage them to keep coming back," he stated. "It's a real sense of accomplishment when it all comes together."
The rehearsals are also an opportunity to make friends and connect with others in the community, he noted, adding, "I've had singers tell me it's a life-changing experience to participate. They work so hard as a team, and we really bond."
Berdos emphasized the choir consists of people of all faiths, and it includes a range of ages and backgrounds. "We have at least three teenagers and at least three people who are in their 80s, so it's a multigenerational experience," he said. "I would love to have people who were members of their church choir, but maybe their church doesn't have a choir anymore."
Berdos has been the music director at Chiques UMC since June, where his wife, Deborah, is the organist. She will accompany rehearsals and sing soprano in the concert.
Performing "Messiah" is an opportunity to take on a difficult piece of music, and it's an expression of faith, Berdos said. "It's a worship experience to conduct this piece and to sing it," he remarked. "How can you participate with this and not feel that you're giving to the Lord?"
Tickets for the concert will go on sale to the public on Monday, Nov. 1. Anyone who interested in singing in the concert should email Berdos at ccmusic.tom@gmail.com for more information.
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