Messiah Sing-A-Long

FPC Sanctuary

Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 3:00pm (ended)

The 39th annual presentation of the Messiah Sing-Along will be held on Sunday, November 29, at 3 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Fresno, on the corner of M and Calaveras Streets.

This traditional event is expected to attract up to 700 singers and listeners, according to Dr. Julie Carter, Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, who will direct the Sing-Along. Dr. Carter is the Director of Soli Deo Gloria, and former Director of the Fresno Choral Artists, and has taught choral music and music education at California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific University, as well as Sanger and Clovis High Schools. She is a choral adjudicator and is active as a soprano soloist.

The orchestra is organized by Gaylene Jo, a Fresno Unified music instructor, and a private music teacher. She is a founding member of the Sierra Valley String Quartet.  The orchestra is comprised of talented local players and is sponsored by a number of local businesses and individuals. The organist will be Dr. Walter Saul, Professor of Music at Fresno Pacific University, where he teaches piano, theory, and composition. He has been named “Composer of the Year” in North Carolina (1986) and in Oregon (1990), and has won ASCAP Special Awards each year since 1990 for his works.  In June 2004 two preludes and fugues from his major piano work, From Alpha to Omega, were performed at Carnegie Hall by Walter Cosand.

Fresno area churches are invited to bring their choirs. Individuals are welcome, both amateurs and accomplished musicians. The solos will be sung by members of the audience and are encouraged to sit towards the front. Dr. Carter also extends a special invitation to listeners. "There is nothing in music quite as exciting as sitting in the midst of an ensemble of hundreds of singers performing Handel's magnificent 'Messiah', said Dr. Carter. Those singers needing music can purchase it at the church the day of the performance from Gottschalk Music Center for $10.

Those attending are invited to help feed the needy this Christmas season by bringing these non perishable food items: dry pasta, pasta sauce, or soup. This food will be distributed through the Fresno Rescue Mission, Evangel Home as well as the First Presbyterian Church pantry.

Following the performance, the church will serve a soup and bread supper, which has become quite popular with the attendees and lovingly termed the “Soup-Along”! There is no charge for either the Sing-Along performance or the” Soup-Along” supper, however donations to help defray expenses will be welcome.

For more information, please contact the church office, 485-6460.