Hamilton-Gibson Productions offers their annual Messiah: A Community Sing on Sunday, December 15 at 2:30pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wellsboro. This well-loved piece of music was composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and received its London premiere a year later as a benefit event for children in need. After an initially modest public reception the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the most frequently performed choral works of Western music. 

Soloists from Commonwealth University-Mansfield will be featured along with string players from Philadelphia, Williamsport, Elmira and further upstate New York. In her last year as Director of Choral Activities at the university, Dr. Peggy Detwiler will lead this event as she has done for many years. Detwiler conducts the Messiah, and she guides the audience in choral segments where everyone is invited to sing along. 

HG’s Artistic Director Thomas Putnam notes, ” This is truly a community event. I see people every year that have been attending since the first community sing, many years ago.” 

Tickets are available at HGP.Booktix.com or at the door with a suggested donation of $5 and up.