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Sing-Along Messiah brings joy and reflection, music director says

IN CONCERT What: Sing-Along Messiah Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. When: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
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Brian Wismath with the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, which joins four guest singers and a full-audience chorus for Sing-Along Messiah at Alix Goolden Performance Hall on Wednesday.

IN CONCERT

What: Sing-Along Messiah

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $23 ($19 for seniors, $10 for students) through the Alix Goolden box office (250-386-5311), Long & McQuade, Munro’s Books, Ivy’s Bookshop, Tanner’s Books (Sidney), and eventbrite.ca

Note: Children 12 and under are free

Music director Brian Wismath is heading into his third Sing-Along Messiah next week, when the Civic Orchestra of Victoria joins a quartet of guest singers and many hundreds in the audience at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, who will serve as the chorus for Handel’s inimitable oratorio.

Those who attend need only sing, if they choose. Wismath’s job is considerably more difficult, as it requires him to bring something new each year to one of the world’s most well-known compositions.

“There’s a tricky balance between keeping it fresh and new and inviting for people, while also maintaining the tradition behind the work,” Wismath said.

While this year’s Sing-Along Messiah is the 21st produced by the Victoria Choral Society — which made its debut on Dec. 19, 1934, with a performance of Handel’s Messiah — there are new elements every year, including the orchestra, the soloists and, of course, the audience.

“There’s a different type of energy each year, but there’s some key common elements that bring people together — first and foremost, the music,” Wismath said. “It’s so well-known, and is probably the most-performed work internationally on a yearly basis.”

Wismath doesn’t see a time when performances of Handel’s Messiah will decrease in popularity.

“There’s a lot of joy in Messiah, and a lot of rejoicing and excitement. But there’s also a lot of reflection. There’s some sorrow, and I think for many people, this time of year affects them in a variety of those ways. It’s not simply the Hallelujah Chorus — it’s also He Was Despised and Rejected of Men or Since By Man Came Death.”

Wismath, who received a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, has extensive experience as a choir director and conductor, and currently serves in various capacities with the Victoria Choral Society, the Vox Humana Chamber Choir, the Linden Singers and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

His extensive experience in the field of choral singing makes Wismath the perfect choice to lead amateur singers through their paces for Handel’s Messiah.

The Civic Orchestra of Victoria and soloists Anne van der Sloot (soprano), Ciara Gallagher (mezzo), Jan van der Hooft (tenor) and Nathan McDonald (bass) are there to do the heavy lifting, he said.

“It’s like being on a rollercoaster with a bunch of people,” he said. “You’re all going to scream and shout, and it’s going to be a good time. It’s about being part of the music-making. There’s always enough people who know it inside and outside.”

It’s the interpersonal aspect of Sing-Along Messiah, especially, that brings joy to Wismath each year.

It affects people emotionally, he said, especially in December, when it is most often performed.

“For a lot of people, Messiah — and certainly Sing-Along Messiah — is a tradition, it’s something that people look forward to, regardless of what’s going on in their lives. At this really busy time of year, it’s nice to take a couple of hours out of the business and come together and celebrate a great piece of music, sing some choruses, and hopefully have a little bit of calm going into the holidays.”

mdevlin@timescolonist.com