Nov 21 2008
From the resource shelf: A Practical Guide for Performing, Teaching and Singing Messiah
If you are a church musician, at some point in your career, you will conduct Handel’s Messiah in part or whole. Unfortunately, this well-known masterpiece is often performed poorly by well-intentioned choirs.
Leonard Van Camp’s “A Practical Guide for Performing, Teaching and Singing Messiah” will help you approach this choral mastepiece in detail.
Section One is devoted to dispelling common Messiah myths such as “The proper title of this oratorio is The Messiah” and “Messiah was intended for a large chorus of amateur men and women to perform.”
Section Two answers practical questions regarding the various published editions of Messiah, performance practice considerations and an invaluable list of suggested church services when using portions of Messiah.
Section Three provides analysis of each piece for singers and conductors and gives great tips on dealing with all the melissmas in the most famous choruses.
Finally, in the appendix you will find the greatest rehearsal schedule for Messiah with orchestra down to the minute: when to rehearse various sections with orchestra, chorus and soloists so you can maximize your time with all involved in this timeless oratorio.
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