Come Join the Fun: Sing The Messiah!

October is one of my favorite months. I love decorating my house for Halloween and I love the return of ski season. This year, I’m loving getting ready to perform in Valley Performing Art’s production of “Something Rotten.” But every year, I love the first practices for the community’s performance of Handel’s “The Messiah.”

The Messiah is a pleasant mix of the familiar and the new, and I was reminded of that at the first practice last night. I was greeted by familiar faces, and some new ones, as I’ve decided to move from the alto to the soprano section this go-round. While the songs included in the entire work do not change, the songs that are selected to be sung are varied. This year, I’m particularly excited for an a capella octet version of “And With His Stripes.” The soloists selected are different each year and bring their own voices and interpretations to the pieces. I’m always in awe of the talent hidden in our little valley!

The directors change yearly too, and with that comes a wealth of different techniques and emphasis. In 2022, Terri Pontius whipped us all into shape teaching tonguing techniques for some of the long and exhausting runs. In 2023, Clyde McKee ended each rehearsal with carefully researched and meaningful information about Handel and the background of his work. And this year, we are pleased to be conducted by the inimitable Kai West, who brings her expertise and–-as we discovered last night–her love for all songs speedy! I’m especially excited that the production will be spearheaded by a local this year. And, although it makes me feel rather old, I get a bit of a kick out of working with West again for the first time since she was my elementary school music teacher in the second grade.

Even the length of the program varies–in the past, a more extensive selection of pieces meant the concert lasted well over two hours. This year, a pared-down choice of well-loved favorites will mean a shorter performance more suited for listeners of all ages.

Apart from the prodigious musical challenge, which I very much enjoy, performing in The Messiah each year greatly enriches my life because it brings me closer to Christ. As a stay-at-home mom to five young children, a writer, and, at least in this season, a local thespian, I have a lot on my plate. Lately, I’ve noticed that the scripture study and prayer that should be the underpinnings of my existence have begun to slide off that over-full plate.

To avoid sacrificing the good in pursuit of the perfect, my mantra for this season is “seek Christ daily.” Some days, that looks like sitting for a quiet ten minutes and reading scriptures. On other days, it may look like hiding in my closet in fervent prayer that I can keep my cool and not scream (back) at my four-year-old. But as long as I connect with my Lord and Savior daily, I’m going to call it a win.

Rehearsing the words of scripture through song is a way to keep me seeking Christ. I can’t NOT think of him when I sing “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.” And who can help but feel the joy of redemption when they proclaim, “Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!”

I love The Messiah because, for my crew, it is truly a family affair. Each week I get to sing alongside my insanely talented brother and enjoy the clarinet stylings of my sister-in-law. My older children are voluntold to babysit so that my husband and I can both participate and for three months the music is blasted throughout the house. Many of them can sing along, even if they don’t understand the words, and I’m sure will be ready to join in the fun when they come of age.

Each year, I am excited to make new friends as Christians from all denominations join in the fun. If you love to sing and can read music, we need your voices! If you can play an orchestral instrument, we need your skill there too! Please join us each Sunday for practice from 6-7:30 pm at the Wasilla Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 821 E Dellwood St.

For those more comfortable listening to music than performing it, we look forward to seeing you at our performances at The Glenn Massey Theater on December 8 at 2 and 7 pm.

Rachel Kenley Fry loves to spend her free time writing, acting, and singing, but in actuality spends most of her time doing dishes and laundry and various other tasks to keep her household of five little ones running smoothly. She loves performing each year in Handel’s “The Messiah” and loves being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.