Join the Experience
Step in and join in the song at West Lawn UMC, 15 Woodside Ave, Reading, PA 19609
December 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm
The Beat Goes On with Reading Sing Messiah
Explore the Music
Performances of Sing Messiah (or Messiah Sing-In) have become very popular throughout the country. The first Sing Messiah in the Reading area was held Sunday, November 28, 1976, at First Presbyterian Church in Reading and conducted by the late Donald Reber. Over 300 persons attended. The late Eunice Maurer provided the accompaniment on the piano and organ. The following year, the Berks Chamber
orchestra provided the accompaniment and has done so ever since. This being the 45th sing Messiah, presentations have been held every year except in 1991 when Mr. Reber was involved in a three-day Mozart festival commemorating the 200th anniversary of the composer's death and during the height of the covid pandemic.
Outstanding area soloists have provided the solos for Sing Messiah throughout this time. Brian Gibson and the late John Perella have appeared most frequently over the years. In 2004, Brian Gibson began co-conducting with Don Reber, and took over the full baton when Don retired in 2007. Brian Gibson has since retired his baton and passed it along to William W. Snelling.
Sing Messiah
Sing Messiah has been sponsored by a consortium of churches, each providing their facilities and support. We most sincerely thank Grace Lutheran Church, Shillington, West lawn United Methodist Church, and Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church. Without their loving support, these performances would not be possible. Sincere thanks also to our orchestra contractor, Julie Drey, for her talent and expertise.
Thank you, our loyal supporters, for being here! Enjoy yourself, whether singing the magnificent choruses or listening to the challenging solos and choruses. We hope that today's performance will provide a wonderful start to your Holiday Season.
George Frederick Handel composed the oratorio Messiah within a period of twenty-four days, between August 2 and September 14, 1741. It was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and a year later in London on March 23, 1743. At the first performance, Handel employed twenty singers, all of which were voices of men and boys. Female voices never sang in Handel's oratorios during his lifetime, excepting for the solo parts.
Messiah is divided into three sections: the first is known as the Advent and Christmas portion; the second, the Lenten; and the third, the Etaster portion. The oratorio follows the usual form of major choral works, presenting soloists in recitatives which are strictly narrative, and in arias dramatizing the significant portions of the story. The chorus caries a large portion of the burden of dramatizing the features of Messiah, and is supported throughout by accompaniment, which serves to intensify the emotional quality of the work
About Reading Sing Messiah
Our Founder
We always remember the man who started this tradition of Sing Messiah, Don Reber who died at home at the age of 89 on July 29, 2021. He received his Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College and Diploma in Organ and Choral Conducting from the American School of Music in Fontainebleau France. Don conducted and performed locally
We always remember the man who started this tradition of Sing Messiah, Don Reber who died at home at the age of 89 on July 29, 2021. He received his Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College and Diploma in Organ and Choral Conducting from the American School of Music in Fontainebleau France. Don conducted and performed locally as well as with the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony. He then taught in the Reading School District for 40 years. Don also served as organist and choir director for 60 years at various churches in Berks County. In addition to starting Sing Messiah and conducting it for 13 years, Don was past president of the Music Club of Reading, Dean of the Reading Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and founder of Reading Madrichor Ensemble. Don was instrumental in growing Reading's music appreciation and we are forever grateful.