Hallelujah: Belmont Open Sing Presents Handel's Messiah Tonight

All invited to sing along the choruses with an orchestra and soloists at Payson Park Church at 7:30 p.m.

Why just listen to the great choruses – including the rousing “Hallelujah” – of Handel’s "Messiah" this Christmas season? Here is your chance to step out from the audience and be a performer. Tonight, Sunday, Dec. 23, any Belmont resident – in fact, anyone who can get to Payson Park Church by 7:30 p.m. – will be given a score (or bring your own) and take part in "Messiah" Open Sing hosted by Belmont's Powers Music School. See a video slide show from last year's performance of the Hallelujah chorus here. Participants will experience the thrill of singing this favorite work accompanied by a professional-level orchestra, and arias sung by some of Boston's finest soloists, led by the Powers School's Mary Beekman, artistic director for the …

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[Photo Gallery] Singing 'Hallelujah' in Belmont

Belmont's Powers Music School's Holiday Open Sing brings 140 to perform Handel's "Messiah."

Conductor Mary Beekman halted the singers and orchestra a few measures into a chorus. Apparently, the singers were singing correctly but had not put the right emotion into the work. The artistic director for the Belmont Open Sing Series and music director of Musica Sacra for the past 30 years, Beekman wanted the amateur singers to understand that they were performing a work about the betrayal of Jesus from the point of view of his enemies. "Get an attitude," she said to the collective laughter from the chorus.  In a gathering that emphasized the joys of the holiday and a love of music, the chorus/audience filled the auditorium of Payson Park Church Sunday night to sing the great seasonal work: Handel's "Messiah," rich with familiar pieces …

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Get Out

Five Things to Do this Weekend: Belmont's 'Messiah' Sunday

Open Sing at Payson Park Church and Breakfast with Santa!

1. Kids Night Out Where/When: Boston Sports Clubs, 311 Arsenal St, Watertown, Friday, 6:30 p.m. Why Go: Children will quickly warm up to this healthy workout whose main focus is fun. Pricing: $17. 2. Santa Teas at Gore Place Where/When: Gore Place Society, 52 Gore St., Waltham, Saturday 10:30 a.m. Why Go: The Gore's invite families into their landmark home for a few of their favorite things like tea, scones, jam and time with Santa. Pricing: $35. 3. Waltham Boys and Girls Club Breakfast with Santa Where/When: Waltham Boys and Girls Club, 20 Exchange St., Waltham, Saturday, 9 a.m. Why Go: Attend this holiday breakfast and you'll be fulfilling two wishes: Helping children be great and getting that wish list to Santa. Pricing: Free. 4. …

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