St. Peter’s Messiah Sing-along

Salisbury, MD — In what is becoming an anticipated holiday tradition on the lower Eastern Shore, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, downtown Salisbury, is hosting its fifth annual Handel’s “Messiah” all-sing on Sunday, December 21, at 6 p.m.

Admission is free but donations are welcomed. The audience is encouraged to bring scores, which also will be on sale.

This year’s sing-along is conducted by new music director Lauma Akmene, with popular guest soloists from Salisbury University and the University of Maryland College Park, accompanied by chamber orchestra–and the audience is the chorus.  “Last year’s audience sang with gusto and all the performances helped launch a joyous Christmas season!” said Fr. David Michaud, St. Peter’s rector.

Handel’s “’Messiah’ offers “universal messages desperately needed in today’s world … messages of hope, redemption, joy,” said Dr. John Wright, professor in SU’s Peter and Judy Jackson Music Program.  “And if you do not walk out of ‘Messiah’ with the Hallelujah Chorus dancing in your soul, something’s not right!”

Wright, who has sung in over 100 “Messiah” concerts, from Lincoln Center to Osaka, Japan, leads the soloists. A gifted tenor, he sings with the internationally celebrated American Spiritual Ensemble (ASE) and was honored by the Maryland Senate and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents for creative excellence. Other awards include top prizes from the Metropolitan Opera National Council and the International Schubert Competition and the gold medal from the American Traditions Vocal Competition.

Soprano Hayley Abramowitz, returning to St. Peter’s, is praised for “searing dramatic power” and “brilliant top” (Washington Classical Review), and as a versatile and exciting young coloratura whose “wonderful stage presence” and “remarkable voice (is) capable of filling the theater effortlessly” (OperaWire).

Also praised for a voice of uncommon size and warmth, Hunter Shaner started breaking countertenor repertoire barriers early in his career. He too has toured with the ASE and is active in the Washington, D.C., new music scene. A graduate of the Indiana School of Music, he teaches at SU.

Returning UMCP alum Andrew Boisvert has been praised for his “thundering” bass (San Diego Story) with a “deep warmth” (The Rutland, VT, Herald) and “deep basso resonance.” (Opera West). His lengthy resume as a guest artist includes opera companies and orchestras throughout the country.

Playing continuo in the chamber orchestra is Veronica Tomanek, founder of Vox Concordia, a chamber choir known for introducing music new to area audiences. She is a member of the SU music staff.

The church is at 115 St. Peter’s Street. For more information call 410-742-5118. The performance is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council.