photo: blandor for PS21

You are invited to Join with your neighbors and fellow music lovers in a Community Sing of Handel’s Messiah on Friday, December 21st at 7:30 pm at St. James Church in Chatham, at the corner of Rtes 66 and 203. Directions

What is a Sing? It’s when YOU, the members of the audience, become the performers. It’s what you dream about when you sing your favorite arias in the shower! All who attend will sing the chorus parts and even the solos! Listeners are welcome too.

Supported by an instrumental ensemble of strings and conducted by Gwen Gould, you will have the opportunity to sing the Christmas Portion of Messiah and end with the Halleluia Chorus. Conductor Gould began her career as an organist in New York City and founded the West Village Chorale in New York City. She has been doing “Sings” of major choral works since 1972, when she started the West Village Chorale Summer Sings in Greenwich Village and conducted Sings for the New York Choral Society. In 2006, she started a series of Summer Sings at PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century) in Chatham. Ms. Gould has been an active performer around Columbia County since 1983, when she and her family bought a house in the Town of Claverack. In 1988, she founded the Columbia Festival Orchestra, a professional orchestra now resident at PS21. She has performed at venues around the county including the Hudson Opera House, Basilica Industria, Spencertown Academy, North Pointe, The Shaker Museum & Library, PS21, Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood and various churches.

“This is not a performance, it’s an event!” says conductor Gould, “and a joyful way to start the holiday season.” Scores will be provided and light refreshments will be served during the break.

Tickets are $10 at the door; $8 in advance (CLICK HERE).