Messiah Bullet Points

I like singing Handel's Messiah every year.  Since it is a yearly event, I am able to mark the passing of time, the turning of years, and changes in my life and perspective. This will be my 6th year singing Messiah with the Chorale.  So that I don't forget each year...here is a list of my Messiah experiences over the last 6 years:

• 2004 - "OMG Messiah" - OMG for many reasons...the first being that I had to learn the soprano part after having primarily sung the piece as an alto.  Also, OMG because I had no idea a performance could be so moving...with a fabulous orchestra, good chorus, and in such a special space (St. Anne's Church).  Oh, and OMG, my parents are here and I just moved away from everything that is comfortable in SC to everything that is uncomfortable in Annapolis!
• 2005 - "Adjusted Messiah" - I was beginning to make friends in the Chorale and get to know people.  Little did I know that we were about to embark on the Florida version of the "Leap of Faith" Carmina Burana tour.  This was also the year that I realized how comfortably Messiah lies in my color/tone vocally.  It was comforting to sing something I already knew pretty well.
• 2006 - "Snarky Messiah" - I was in a horrible spot on the crowded altar this year.  Horrible because I could barely move, and because I had a few..shall we say...under-pitch folks around me.  It was literally almost impossible to sing.  A few other friends were in rough spots too...and I think all we did was complain about it all weekend.  That made it a tough experience...and I've vowed to just suck it up and put myself where I want to go ever since.  Usually, if we are singing in a mixed configuration, I head for the tall back row in between two basses.  Hey, it works for me...
• 2007 - "Messiah with the Toy Orchestra and 50 Soloists Across the Bay" - This year, my parents were visiting again...which meant the snow/ice arrived.  You think they wouldn't bring that stuff up from SC, but somehow we always get it when they are here!  On Saturday night, we had a performance on the Eastern Shore.  It was rain/icy for most of the day, but we were still able to get across the bridge for the performance.  The hall had ridiculously dry acoustics, though...so it sounded to us like we were all singing solos and the orchestra was playing toy instruments.  Weird.  The audience seemed to like it, though.
• 2008 - "Exhausted Messiah" - By the time we got to Messiah weekend last year, I was ready to crawl in a hole and hibernate for a month.  There had been so many run-outs and concerts that I was physically spent.  Add the welcome stress of a new romantic relationship...and I just wanted the weekend to be over!  It passed by in a haze, but I do remember enjoying the music.  Top row again meant I was in a happy singing spot.
• 2009 - "?" - So, what will the 2009 version of Messiah bring?  Let's hope it's not "Blizzard Messiah" or "Messiah where Page finally loses it and hits someone", or "Messiah when Page and Lauren pass out since they ran 22 miles Saturday morning".  I'm in a very nice singing spot this year...while not on the back row, it works.  Considering the above possibilties, I'd be satisfied for this year to be "Uneventful Messiah".  Even better would be "Musically Fulfilling Messiah".  But hey, let's not push it!

I really enjoyed last night's rehearsal, and hope tonight's Messiah Dress Rehearsal will be just as enjoyable.  Walking back to my car on Main St. after a post-rehearsal drink last night was so very peaceful...and it finally felt like the Christmas season!