MY Messiah? – My oh MY! (Come sing along at the Holiday Mele!)

Oh, the power of a resounding “Hallelujah!”

No matter your religion, faith, creed, or preference in shoe color … when you hear the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s holiday classic, “The Messiah,” you cannot help but gasp in reverential awe.

It is fabled that upon composing this conclusory piece of the second movement, Handel was found, pen in hand, with tears of joy running down his face. “I have seen the face of God,” he said fervently.

As you will find, in the creation of this masterpiece, he reached out and touched the inexplicable magic, and grounded it in song. Music is the portal through which we melt into the sonic swell of the beauty of life.

What could be more enthrallingly powerful than to sit in the audience while a choir performs Handel’s Messiah, I ask you…?

Why, to BE the choir, of course!!

HARK! Gather thy children! Gather thy neighbors! Call forth to all of thy friendly facebook buddies! This holiday season, the Hyatt Regency will be hosting a holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah, where the audience members will rise up and sing the chorale parts! YOU are the main event!

Dubbed the “Sing-It-Yourself-Messiah,” your (optional) performance will be supported by a 16 piece orchestra, composed of both Maui residents and special guests, flown in from surrounding islands. It will also feature three marvelous vocal soloists (Leighanna Locke, Karyn Sarring, and Robert E. Wills).

The Maui Choral Arts Association has put on this event for ten years now, and each year it has grown in scope.

This year, the first half of the concert will be the interactive Messiah. The second half of the evening will be spiced up even further as we sing a selection of traditional Christmas Carols, joined by 72 children from the Lahaina Intermediate School choirs (directed by Beth Fobbe-Wills).

You can also expect fun treats and special guests. The Maui Concert Chorus and University of Hawaii-Maui College Chorus will perform a doo-wop arrangement of “White Christmas.”

This grand gathering of voices will take place at the Hyatt Regency, on Sunday, November 28th at 3 pm.

There will be an open rehearsal the week prior, if anyone is interested in attending the show and wants to sharpen up on the material first. (Musical scores will be provided at the door). The rehearsal will be at the Iao Congregational Church, located at 2371 West Vineyard Street, in Wailuku on Tuesday, November 23rd, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

If you thought it just couldn’t get any more festive, at the event there will be photographic opportunities for your keikis to poise with good ole Saint Nick. Plus there is plenty of entertainment for your wee ones whilst you sing – they can play at the youth crafts table.

At the event there will also be a Charitable Gift Giving Fair. Various nonprofit organizations that raise awareness and funds for children will solicit end-of-year, tax-deductible donations from participants at the event.

Expect a potpourri of Christmas yuletide cheer, as well as unique Christmas gift shopping by vendors.

What festivity! Book your reservation in advance if you wish by visiting www.Mauimusicarts.org.

Advance tickets are $15 for adults, and $7.50 for youth (18 and under) and students with ID. These tickets are available until Nov. 27 at www.MauiChoralArts.org, or by calling 800-838-3006. Tickets are also sold at Lahaina Music and Topaz Goldsmith in Kihei’s Dolphin Plaza.

Tickets at the door are $20 for adults, and $10 for youth/students. They will also be available at the Hyatt’s Monarchy Ballroom at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 28.

This article has been brought to you with cheek-to-cheek holiday cheer by local musician, Maesyn (www.myspace.com/maesyn).

Please feel free to contact Maesyn (that’s me!) at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for concerts or events that you’d like Maesyn to feature on Mauinow.com

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka!