The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

  • Home
  • To Know
  • To Do
  • To Ponder
  • Obituaries
  • Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • More
    • Share your story
    • Submit an Event
    • Contact

Letter: Performing the Messiah… Catharsis

December 7, 2018 By The Suburban Times

Submitted by Fred Willis.

On Tuesday, December 4th, Christ Lutheran Church sponsored a well attended public sing-along of Handel’s “Messiah”. I have attended these twice but have not attempted to sing. You see, beauty and joy cause me to weep. It has always been that way, but I can usually suppress it. This time with the first familiar notes the tears came freely for five minutes or so.

When I was five my parents took a Sunday drive into East Texas. I had never been out of Dallas and as we entered the green forests I was moved by the beauty of these newly discovered pines. I began to weep, silently and profusely. My mother noticed and asked why I was crying. I said, “The trees are so beautiful”. And she said something I have never forgotten, “Honey, you have a gift”.

Fast forward to my age 13. I loved to sing, especially “hillbilly” music. My elementary school music teacher lobbied my mother to let me audition for a well known a cappella boys choir that had come to town. They made me sing “My country tis of thee-” instead of “Love Sick Blues”, but they took me into their thirty voice group as an alto anyway. We performed the university circuit from Ohio to Texas that year and travelled the South and East up to New York City in 1945. On our return home the Choir left Dallas. But I held a love for the music. Some I can still sing. We had a full choir arrangement of Messiah that included the alto aria “Come unto him”. Even today I sing it often to myself.

Back now to the Christ Lutheran sing-along. Directed by an excellent conductor and accompanied by accomplished instrumentalists, we sang the Messiah. All the arias were sung by professional vocalists- a tenor, a bass, a soprano and an alto. When the alto began “my” aria, I silently came unglued again. In time I regained my composure. The performance came to an end I made my way over to where the vocalists were gathered to thank the alto and to tell her how important it had been to me. I tried to speak and broke down. I saw alarm in her face and withdrew. So now, here in The Suburban Times, I want to thank all those true musicians who performed with all of us walk ons. Especially I want to thank the dear alto who sang my song.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Comments

  1. David Anderson says

    December 7, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    You do indeed have a gift Fred, two really. An eye for beauty, and a tender heart. Thank you for sharing.

  2. ROBERT ALLEN says

    December 8, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Handel’s “Messiah” is indeed inspirational! This celebration of our Lord loomed large in my wife and I deciding to join Christ Lutheran Church as members several years ago. The event is one that shows our church at its best: energy, joy, and the spirit of sharing that typifies our church throughout the year. “Hallelujah!”

Top Stories

  • Permit filed for 22-unit multifamily development in Lakewood
    Permit filed for 22-unit multifamily development in Lakewood
  • Commerce Street closed between I-705 and Theater District Station for track installation
    Commerce Street closed between I-705 and Theater District Station for track installation
  • Choosing Our Words
    Choosing Our Words
  • Fort Steilacoom Park All-Access Playground Update
    Fort Steilacoom Park All-Access Playground Update
  • Reliving the Magnitude 6.8 Nisqually Earthquake 20 Years Later
    Reliving the Magnitude 6.8 Nisqually Earthquake 20 Years Later

Become a better informed citizen.

Join over 30,000 readers each month and get real-local news and information direct to your inbox, Monday-Saturday.


Recent Comments

  • Roger on Choosing Our Words
  • Eric Chandler on Adult Life; Senior-ville
  • Eric Chandler on Choosing Our Words
  • Chas. Ames on COVID in Lakewood
  • Joan Campion on Choosing Our Words

Contact Us

The Suburban Times
P.O. Box 39099
Lakewood, WA 98496

Ben Sclair, Publisher
253-312-1804

Stephen Neufeld, Marketing Executive
stephen@thesubtimes.com

Copyright © 2021 The Suburban Times • Log in • Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.