Do It Yourself Messiah

Soloists Announced for Do It Yourself Messiah

The most popular Christmas music ever written will come to the Southwest Suburbs on December 18, and you have a chance to be part of it. The public is invited to join the chorus in a “do-it-yourself” version of Handel’s “Messiah.” This is your chance to sing this classic Christmas music along with a full orchestra and four soloists.

Mike Weirman, conductor for this New Lenox performance, has announced the selection of four local favorites as soloists: Brenda Carr, soprano; Carol Buckley, alto; Jay Carr, tenor; and Michael Bultman, bass. The performance will be held at the United Methodist Church of New Lenox on Sunday, December 18, at 6:00 pm. A 23 piece orchestra and the Chancel Choir of the church will add support to the “do-it-yourself” choir that assembles for the first time that night. The performance is free and open to the public. An offering will be taken to defray the costs of the performance. Copies of the music will be available to purchase that night, or singers may bring their own copies. According to Wierman, the church is an exceptional venue for this performance. “The acoustics of the church sanctuary are perfect for this,” said Wierman.

Written in 1741, “Messiah” has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. The "do-it-yourself" idea was born at a small church in rural England nearly 40 years ago and was first staged in the Chicago area in 1976. Audience members are seated according to voice range (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and sing with a full orchestra and four soloists.

Brenda Carr, soprano soloist, is a graduate of Northern Illinois University’s School of Music. Originally from Joliet, she has performed sacred music concerts throughout the northern Illinois area. Her concert work has included both contemporary Christian music as well as classical sacred music. In addition to her singing, she is one of the organists for Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church in Lockport.

Carol Buckley, alto soloist, has 40 years of solo and ensemble singing in the Chicago area. Also a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in vocal music, she has performed with the Elgin Choral Union and Northwest Choral Society before beginning an eleven-year tenure with the Fine Arts Chorale under the direction of NIU's Dr. Elwood Smith. While with the FAC, she performed solo and ensemble repertoire ranging from Medieval to 20th Century music.

Jay Carr, tenor soloist, has been active in community theater and on the concert stage throughout the Northern Illinois area. Locally, he has been a featured soloist with North Central College and Aurora University, and has performed with the Fox Country Players in Yorkville. After a musical tour through the United States and Europe he entered full-time ministry, and continues to balance his pastoral duties with his love for music.

Michael Bultman, bass soloist, is the Choral Music Director at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, where he directs all vocal ensembles as well as the Musical and Madrigal Dinner Concerts. 　A native of Summit, New Jersey, Mike has degrees in music from Northwestern University and Michigan State University. 　In addition to teaching, he sang professionally in the Chicago Symphony Chorus for twelve seasons and continues to perform in the Chicago area. 　

Handel’s “Messiah” was originally intended as an Easter oratorio, but over the years it has become more popularly associated with Christmas. The oratorio tells the story of Jesus' birth and life, using Biblical text from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The “Christmas Section,” or Part 1, includes famous songs such as “Every Valley” and “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and will conclude with the “Hallelujah” chorus.

You don’t have to sing to enjoy the “do-it-yourself” version. You are also welcome to come to listen and enjoy what is expected to be more than 200 singers joining together in this Christmas classic.