Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County in partnership with the Guelph Chamber Choir present Messiah Sing-A-Long at St. George’s Anglican Church on Sunday, Dec 22, at 3pm.
Hosted by Daniel Moore, executive director of Family & Children’s Services, this afternoon performance offers a shorter version of Handel’s popular oratorio and provides opportunities for singers of all ages and talents to sing along with the choir. Under the direction of Gerald Neufeld, conductor of the Guelph Chamber Choir, residents can join the choir in singing beloved choruses including the Hallelujah Chorus. Donations in lieu of tickets support Family & Children’s Services’ Children’s First Fund. Refreshments and CD’s can be purchased during the intermission.
The Children First Fund provides financial assistance to much needed programs not currently funded through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Two programs supported through this performance are Family & Children’s Services’ Education Support Program and Enrichment Program. The Education Support Program assists fostered youth with post secondary tuition or tools and supplies associated with their program. The Enrichment Program can provide children and youth access to inspiring opportunities and skill building experiences to attain their full potential.
“It is exciting to partner with this well recognized choir to support children, youth and families in our community,” says Moore.
Neufeld added, "Singing choruses from Messiah together with singers from the audience is a wonderful way to honour Handel's original intention of fundraising for those less fortunate in our society. I hope many people will join the Guelph Chamber Choir in this festive event and help to bring a measure of financial security to young people who may not have the kind of family backing that many of us enjoy."
Joining the choir are four outstanding Canadian soloists and members of Musica Viva Orchestra performing on period instruments.
Soprano Agnes Zsigovics is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto. In 2011, she made her Carnegie Hall debut and was described as “stylish” by the New York Times. Other critics have lauded her voice as “hauntingly beautiful, creamy, velvety, bell-like” and “floating and sumptuous.”
Local countertenor Daniel Cabena, now based in Switzerland, has been reviewed as “nothing less than excellent” and “delightful with strong, articulate singing to boot.” CBC music hails him as “Canada’s next countertenor superstar.”
Described by the Toronto Star as a “must-hear lyric tenor”, Bud Roach has become a fixture on the Toronto early music scene, performing frequently with the Toronto Consort, the Musicians in Ordinary, and others.
Since his operatic debut at the 1974 Stratford Festival, Daniel Lichti has established himself as one of Canada’s finest bass-baritones. In 2014 he will celebrate 40 years of professional singing. He continues to inspire admiration for the beauty, warmth and richness of his voice, and respect for the dignity and sincerity in his interpretations.
On exhibit for Sunday’s performance is Family & Children’s Services’ Heart Gallery. The gallery is a travelling photographic exhibit created to attract potential parents who will commit to adopting children and youth waiting in foster care. Using the power of photography, pictures of waiting children and youth are taken to capture their individuality and dignity. These help raise public awareness about the children who need to find forever homes and to obtain support to meet those needs. To date the Gallery has been exhibited across the City of Guelph at The Cooperators, City Hall, One Stone Road, Guelph Hydro, the Guelph Youth Music Centre, Linamar Corporation and the Guelph YMCA-YWCA.
Special thanks are extended to performance sponsors, BMO Nesbitt Burns and Newton Eastwood Dietrich Wealth Advisory Group
To learn more about the work of Family & Children’s Services, Heart Gallery and the Children First Fund, go to www.fcsgw.org
