DECEMBER 13 - 19, 2017 UCW 13
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Well into the 2017-18 concert season,
the Cumberland Oratorio Singers are set
to bring a choral Christmas performance
to the Sandhills. Saturday, Dec. 16, don't
miss "We Sing to Remember" at First
Baptist Church.
This is the first year for Jason Britt as the
group's director. "We are doing final prepa-
rations on 'Messiah.' We have one more
rehearsal before the performance, and it is
all going according to plan. I am holding on
tight and enjoying the ride," he said.
Two other groups are singing. One of
them is the Campbellton Youth Chorus.
"They are doing a couple of things – 'Sing
We Now of Christmas' and an arrange-
ment of 'Christmas Time Is Here,'"
Britt said. "The Cross Creek Chorale,
which is an auditioned group within the
Cumberland Oratorio Singers, is doing
'O Magnum Mysterium,' a Latin piece
by Morten Lauridsen, and we are also
performing Chesnokov's 'Salvation Is Cre-
ated.'" And, of course, 'Messiah.'"
Every year at Christmas, choral organizations
across the country present part one of "Messiah."
It is an oratorio in three parts, Britt said. "It cel-
ebrates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.
Typically, about this time of year, we do the first
section. The other two parts, they do around Eas-
ter. It has been done this way since the 1700s."
This performance of "Messiah" is significant for
Britt on several levels. "This is my first time direct-
ing 'Messiah,'" he said.
Perhaps just as significant is that right out of col-
lege, he was asked to do a tenor solo for the piece.
"Now 27 years later, I am directing the whole thing.
It is surreal. Time has f lown, and here I am now at
the head of this wonderful organization. It is grati-
fying, and I am very excited to participate."
As in years past, people can walk on the day of
the performance. "All they need to do is have a
score and to be dressed in all black for ladies and
dark suits for men," Britt said.
It is an early concert. "We could be done around
6:30 p.m.," Britt said. "I hope people choose to stay
downtown and make it a compete evening. There
are so many nice restaurants downtown; it really
is a nice way to complete the evening."
The Cumberland Oratorio Singers' spring
concert is set for April 27 at Haymount United
Methodist Church and is called "We Sing to
Experience." "It is made up of works every choir
should perform," Britt said. "They are works
that, if you are in any chorus across America,
you have probably performed. It includes pieces
by Handel, Haydn, Copland – they are standard
works. Good, traditional choral music." That
concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
For the Dec. 16 concert, tickets are $27 at the
door for non-season ticket holders. Members and
groups of 10 or more are $20 as are walk-ons. The
performance starts at 5 p.m. Find out more at www.
singwithcos.org.
'We Sing to Remember' at First Baptist Church
by STEPHANIE CRIDER
EVENTS
STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate
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