Submitted by Jonathan Liebich
The leaves have turned colour, Autumn is well underway and, being an even-numbered year, the Uxbridge Messiah Singers are excited to have started rehearsals for their biennial performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah.
Performances of this magnificent and well-loved work will take place on Monday and Tuesday, December 14 and 15, at 7 p.m. at Uxbridge Baptist Church.
This biennial tradition began in Uxbridge in 1980, organized by the Uxbridge Ministerial Association, directed by Roy Menagh. Local choral director, musician and composer, Thomas Baker, assumed artistic leadership of the Uxbridge Messiah Singers for the 1984 performances. Under Baker’s baton, this tradition has become a December favourite in North Durham, drawing choral singers and capacity audiences from throughout Durham Region and beyond.
During Baker’s tenure, significant changes were made to enhance the experience for audiences and singers alike, including the introduction of professional soloists, starting in 2008.
This season is a bittersweet milestone for the Uxbridge Messiah Singers as it marks Tom Baker’s final season as Artistic Director. The choir will be forever grateful to Baker for his indelible mark on the organization.
Local artists Leslie Higgins and Jonathan Liebich return this year as soprano and bass soloists respectively.
Having previously sung in the choir as a teenager, Higgins made her Uxbridge Messiah debut as soprano soloist in 2024.
Liebich is somewhat of a veteran with the organization, having been bass soloist for nearly every performance since 2006. This year he also steps into the role of Associate Director.
Also returning will be Elita Cho-Gagner as alto soloist and Benjamin Done as tenor soloist.
Messiah was composed in 1741 using text compiled from the Bible by Charles Jennens. Its first performance took place in Dublin on April 13, 1742. Public reception at first was modest, but Messiah has since become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral masterpieces of mesmerizing beauty. It majestically tells a story of enduring peace, love and hope for humankind through glorious music, and continues to inspire listeners and performers alike.
Tickets are $40 and are now available online and by phone through Star Ticketing. Visit starticketing.com for more information.
Uxbridge Messiah Singers encourages those attending the performance to consider buying a ticket for their “pay it forward” program. Your pay it forward ticket purchase makes tickets available to those for whom the ticket price may make it difficult to attend the performances.
Follow the Messiah Singers on Facebook and Instagram @UxbridgeMessiah for exciting updates as they prepare for this year’s performances. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door; however, capacity audiences are expected once again.