Sing-Along Messiah

This Sunday was the annual Sing Along Messiah at the Judson Memorial Church near Washington Square. I attended for the third year in a  row.

Singing in the Messiah is a lot more fun than just listening to it. Choral works - especially religious ones - tend to sound like a big polyphonic mush with dozens of voices blending together. When you're inside a chorus and following the music, each moving part seems far more organic and distinct.

One thing, though - the endless melismas are a nightmare.
 
But hey, you say no to that face: