“Here Come The Messiahs”
Many years ago one of the major newspapers of Chicago (if memory serves me correctly, it was the Chicago Tribune) used this label as their column one weekend edition noting all of the multitude choral and orchestral concerts to be given during the December Holiday Season. Of course at the top of the list were the innumerable number of performances of G. F. Handel’s “Messiah” being given by professional choral groups, church choirs and/or the “Sing A-long” versions such as the one usually given at Orchestra Hall, churches and even Marshall Field’s Department Store. I believe that one year I counted up to 45 or more various performance versions – organ, organ and small orchestra or a full orchestral concert. Even vocal soloists of mine could be noted for being involved in 4 or 5 or more various performances during the season! So really December is one of the months of the year where everyone has such a multitude of Holiday Music performances to choose from.
So, “Here Come The Messiahs” and the many Christmas Carols at this point, I trust that we are all in the midst of extra rehearsals for these Advent and Christmas Carol concerts for every church! Now that hopefully much of the COVID-19 is behind us, maybe we will have the wonderful opportunity to be able to return to the glorious music of the season!
December – obviously this month is the home to the Winter Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere (and Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere). In Roman times, the calendar had only 10 months and beginning with March. Originally December had only 30 days. December comes from the Latin word decem, meaning 10. Interestingly the Anglo-Saxons referred to December as the “Yule Month”!
Merry Christmas to all! Joyeux Noel – Frohe Weinachton – Feliz Navidad – Buon Natale – Feliz Natale – Vrolijk Kerstfeest – Craciun fericit – Wesolych swiat Bozego Narodzenia –
God Jul – Vesele Varroce
Happy Hanukkah – Glad Hanukkah – Bon Hanukkah – Frohliches Hanukkah – Feliz Hanukkak – Felice Hanukkah – Szczesliwego swiata Chanuka – Feliz Jannuca
Happy Kwanzaa
The next North Shore Chapter AGO event on the calendar will be the Annual Epiphany Party at the home of Andrea Handley in Evanston on January 6, 2023 at 6:00pm. This is always a festive time for good food and a time to relax after the Holiday Season and to greet friends and fellow musicians! Please watch for a RSVP form that will be sent to respond to if you are attending this unique party.
And lest I forget, be sure to put June 25 – 28, 2023 on your calendar to attend the North Shore Chapter AGO Regional Convention centered in Evanston. There is an incredible array of organ recitalists, workshop presenters, worship services and plenty of time to meet fellow organists/musicians from this Midwest region.
Lastly, along with attendance at the Regional Convention be reminded of the fact that there are also many ways to support the convention by being a volunteer and/or with financial support.
I hope to see all of you there next June!!
Bob Woodworth Jr.
Dean