How did this come to be? First, G. F. Handel wrote a great masterpiece that is never forgotten once it is performed! This attraction to the music has spurred annual performances throughout the world, often during the Christmas season. If New York could host a Messiah Sing-In, why couldn’t New Jersey do the same? This thought was shared by Bill Briggs, Bud Beavers, Joe Mello, and Pat Siegel. In February 2007, Siegel joined the group’s efforts to create an opportunity for those in the North Jersey area to perform the Messiah during the Christmas season of 2007 by contacting individuals and organizations that have performed Handel’s Messiah.
Briggs is a Minister of Music at the Bethlehem Church in Randolph, and also a professor of Music at the County College of Morris. During the Christmas season of 2006, singers and instrumentalists from both the college and church combined talents to present Handel’s Messiah at the church, with a full orchestra. Due to the overwhelming success of this venture, consideration was given to a repeat performance during the 2007 season. However, the stage had nearly reached its capacity. If the chorus grew any more, where could they sit?
Beavers is a retired choral director who first began performing Handel’s Messiah with his students from Roxbury in 1972. The annual tradition still continued after he left in 1983 to pursue administration. During those years he often joined forces with Vincent Ruffino from West Morris High School, Michelle Yampolsky from Randolph High School, and Doug Beavers from Mendham High School to prepare public performances at different venues. Mendham High School still has an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, over 30 years later.
Pat Siegel, a graduate of Roxbury, organized three Messiah “reunions” during the late 1980’s. They brought Roxbury alumni together from various areas of the country, selected a date and location, and sang for the pure joy of singing this great work. “When are we having a reunion again?” has been one of the most consistent questions asked of Beavers and Siegel during the intervening years.
Mello, Choral Director from Kittatinny High School, has been a very active music educator throughout his career with his involvement with the New Jersey Music Educators Association, often serving as a guest conductor for various NJMEA sponsored performances. In addition, he, and his wife Debbie, continue to be very active in various Sussex county church and civic performing organizations.
When Beavers and Briggs first met in February 2007, the question of “where could they sit?” became self-evident. “They” will function as both performer and audience, filling in the seats where a congregation would usually sit. “They” will also act as an encouraging, knowledgeable, audience for young high school soloists who will be performing this great piece of music, many for the first time! Joe Mello is coordinating that aspect of the program with his connections to the many music educators and high school students in the North Jersey area. If everything goes as expected, the church, which holds approximately 900, will have several hundred singers, a full orchestra, and seating for spectators in the balcony (300). The event will be videotaped by the County College of Morris. Purchasing information will be made available that evening. Singers will be asked to contribute a small fee that will be given to a charitable organization. This year the donation will be given to help cure diabetes.
