All rehearsals, solo auditions, and performances are held at 6240 UTSA Blvd unless otherwise noted.
No monetary compensation will be given as this production is comprised of volunteers and the event is free for the community to attend.
See your group below for the 2023 rehearsal schedule, or click here for the PDF version.
Sectional Rehearsals: Sundays, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 at 7:00-8:20pm.
Full Choir Rehearsals: Sundays, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 at 7:00-8:20pm, Nov. 19 at 7:00-8:30pm.
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7:00-8:30pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 5:45pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2:45pm. The Group Picture will be taken on Dec. 2 at 3:10pm following the warm-up.
Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:00pm.
Who Can Join:
- Adults 18 and older,
no audition is needed
- Youth ages
16-17, by audition only
* Come to the first rehearsal to sing with us
* Discuss the rehearsal with the section leader
* If not selected, youth may sing in the Youth
Choir
Music to Sing:
-
"The Messiah, An Oratorio," edited by T. Tertius Noble,
published by G. Shirmer
- A different
arragment may be used if already owned; there are minimal
differences
- Music may be purchased
at RBC Music, Sheet Music Plus, etc.
-
We have music available at rehearsals and ask that you
reimburse us the cost
- Cost of music
is usually $8-12 depending on our purchase price
- Use these
Practice Files and Markings
to practice and mark your music before rehearsals begin
- An example of the music:
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/messiah-sheet-music/3161812
Pieces Performing:
- 4: And the Glory of the Lord
- 7:
And He Shall Purify
- 12: For Unto Us
a Child is Born
- 17: Glory to God
- 24: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
- 44: Hallelujah
- 46: Since By Man
Came Death
- 53: Worthy is the Lamb
Last Day to Join:
- Please do not join after 4th rehearsal
- If you join after the 4th rehearsal, you must already know the Messiah music very well and
discuss with the conductor what rehearsals you will be able to attend
- Participants who join after the 4th rehearsal are not
guaranteed to be listed in the program
Performance Dress:
- Wear a white shirt and black or dark colored skirts or pants
- Men, please wear neutral colored ties and a dark suit jacket if
able
- If you don't have the above,
any combination of black and white is fine
- Please dress modestly for the performances and rehearsals
Sectional Rehearsals: Sundays, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 at 7:00-8:20pm.
Full Orchestra Rehearsals: Sundays, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 at 7:00-8:20pm, Nov. 19 at 7:00-8:30pm.
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7:00-8:30pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 5:45pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2:45pm. The Group Picture will be taken on Dec. 2 at 3:10pm following the warm-up.
Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:00pm.
Who Can Join:
- Adults 18 and older,
no audition is needed
- Youth with 4+
years experience:
* By audition only (email samessiah @ gmail.com to sign up)
* Once selected, you do not need to re-audition each year
* Must play music well and up to tempo
* If not selected, youth are invited to play in the prelude
orchestra
Instruments Needed:
- Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello,
Bass
- Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet
- French Horn, Trombone,
Trumpet
- Timpani (only one)
- Organ (only one), Piano (only one), Harpsichord/Keyboard
(only one)
- Contact the Messiah Committee to see if
timpani, organ, piano, and harpsichord parts are still needed
- We do not limit the number of
players in sections, unless the description above says (only
one)
- Violinists may choose Violin 1 or Violin 2
(Violin 2 is recommended for new Messiah players)
What to Bring:
-
Instrument
- Music stand for all
rehearsals and performances
- Music:
"The Messiah" published by G. Shirmer
* Music may be purchased at RBC Music, Sheet Music Plus,
etc.
* We have music available at rehearsals and ask that you
reimburse us the cost
* Cost of music is usually $4.00-$10.00 depending on the
part and purchase price
* Use
these Markings and Bowings to mark your music before
rehearsals
* Example Violin 1 part (others will look similar):
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/messiah-oratorio-1741-violin-i-sheet-music/3170666
Pieces Performing:
-
1: Overture
- 4: And the Glory of the
Lord
- 7: And He Shall Purify
- 12: For Unto Us a Child is Born
- 13:
Pastoral Symphony
- 17: Glory to God
- 24: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
- 44: Hallelujah
- 46: Since By Man
Came Death
- 53: Worthy is the Lamb
Last Day to Join:
- Please do not join after 4th rehearsal
- If you join after the 4th rehearsal, you must already know the Messiah music very well and
discuss with the conductor what rehearsals you will be able to attend
- Participants who join after the 4th rehearsal are not
guaranteed to be listed in the program
Performance Dress:
- Women: wear concert black
- Men: black
or dark suits for the men with neutral colored ties
- If you do not have concert black, wear any combination of
black and white
- Please dress
modestly for all rehearsals and performances
Auditions: Saturday, Nov. 4 from 1:00-4:00pm.
Optional Solo Rehearsals: Sundays, Nov. 12 from 8:25-8:45pm and Nov. 19 from 8:35-9:00pm. For soloists choosing to have this extra rehearsal, a 5-10 minute specific time will be assigned for soloists to practice with the orchestra on one of these days. Soloists who choose not to have this extra rehearsal, will still be assigned a time to practice with the orchestra during the Dress Rehearsal.
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 from 5:00-6:30pm. A 5-10 minute specific time will be assigned for each soloist to practice with the orchestra. Light snacks will be provided after the solo rehearsals from 6:30-7:00pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:45pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3:00pm. The Group Picture will be taken on Dec. 2 at 3:10pm following the warm-up.
Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:00pm.
Who Can Audition:
- Adults ages 18 and older
- Youth with
solo experience
Audition Time:
-
For a specific audition time, email samessiahaudition @
gmail.com
- Walk-ins are also welcome
Music to Sing:
-
Any solo from Handel’s "Messiah"
- The
majority of solos assigned are the Christmas solos before
#21, but a few others may also be assigned
- Solo accompaniments may be found on Youtube (search for
solo name + accompaniment)
- The choir
uses "The Messiah, An Oratorio," edited by T. Tertius Noble, published by G. Shirmer
- Other "Messiah" music may be used as long as the pieces
are in the same key as the book we use
Accompaniment for Auditions:
- A pianist will be provided
- You
may also bring your own pianist
- You
may also bring a device and recording to sing with
What to Expect at Adutions:
- Sing 1-2 minutes of the prepared solo unless time permits otherwise
- The judges may ask you to sing other Messiah solos you
already know
- The judges may ask you
to sightread another solo, if you feel comfortable doing so
- You will only be scored on your initial solo
audition piece
- Auditions will be
filmed for selection purposes only, and deleted soon after
- For close scores, 2 judges will rewatch the recorded
auditions
- If live callbacks are
needed, that will be communicated within 1 week of
auditions
Judging:
- 3 to 6 judges will evaluate each audition on predetermined criteria
- The lowest and highest scores will be dropped, and the
remaining scores averaged together
-
Soloists will be ranked from highest to lowest
- Ranking will be used when selecting soloists
Judging Criteria:
-
Intonation
- Rhythm and counting
- Tone
- Technique (including diction, articulation, and breath control)
- Interpretation (including dynamics, phrasing, and tempo)
- Artistry and stage presence
-
Overall performance
- Style (suitable
for Messiah)
Results:
- E-mail
notification within one week
- 8 to 10
soloists will be selected depending on programming and time
- Soloists are typically only assigned 1 solo, or
traditional grouping of solos, to allow others the
opportunity to perform
- Rare: If
scores are not high enouh, or not enough audition, a person
may be assigned multiple solos
-
Soloists may be assigned a piece other than the piece
auditioned with
- Those not selected
may ask for the judges feedback
After Selection:
- Soloists will be asked to submit a short bio of less 130
words for the program
- Soloists
should submit a photo of themselves for the program and
Facebook
- You will be assigned
rehearsal times with the orchestra
-
All soloists are invited, but not required, to sing with the
Messiah Choir
Performance Dress:
- Wear anything dressy and suitable for a
solo performance
- Please dress
modestly for all rehearsals and performances
Youth Choir Rehearsals: Sundays, Nov. 12 from 7:00-8:20pm and Nov. 19 from 7:00-8:30pm.
Youth Choir Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 from 6:30-8:30pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 5:45pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2:45pm.
Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:00pm.
Who Can Join:
-
Youth ages 12-18
- No audition is
required
- Youth ages 16-17 who sing
in the Messiah, may not sing in the Youth Choir
Music to Sing:
-
Good Christian Men Rejoice and Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- Music will be provided at each rehearsal
- If practice tracks are available, they will be available here
What to Expect at Rehearsals:
- 2 to 3 adults will be present at rehearsals to help youth
- If you would like to volunteer to help, email us
- Parents cannot sit with youth during rehearsals
- Parents who stay are encouraged to
sit in the foyer, but may sit in the back of the rehearsal
What to Expect at Performances:
- Perform a 10 minute "opening
act" to Handel's Messiah
- They are part of the performance,
not prelude
- Youth will not be
required to stay for the Messiah
-
Youth should be picked up after singing, unless a parent is
performing in the Messiah
- If a
parent is performing, youth may watch the Messiah or wait in
the Youth Room
Last Day to Join:
- New participants should not join after the 2nd rehearsal
- Sign up to participate, even if you can't make the 1st
rehearsal
- The program will be sent
to the printer after the 1st rehearsal
Concert Dress:
- Wear red, green, or white shirts and black or dark colored skirts or pants
- Any combination of red, green, and white is fine if you do
not own the above
- Please dress modestly for all rehearsals and performances.
Children’s Choir Rehearsals: Sundays, Nov. 12 from 7:00-8:20pm and Nov. 19 from 7:00-8:30pm.
Children's Choir Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 from 6:30-8:30pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 5:45pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2:45pm.
Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:00pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:00pm.
Who Can Join:
-
Children ages 8-11
- Children must be
able to sit quietly without parental supervision
- No audition is required
Music to Sing:
-
The Shephards Medley and Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- Music will be provided at each rehearsal
- If practice tracks are available, they will be available here
What to Expect at Rehearsals:
- 2 to 3 adults will be present at rehearsals to help
children
- If you would like to
volunteer to help, email us
- Parents
cannot sit with children during rehearsals
- Parents who stay are encouraged to sit in the foyer, but
may sit in the back of the rehearsal
What to Expect at Performances:
- Perform a 10 minute "opening
act" to Handel's Messiah
- They are part of the performance,
not prelude
- Children will not be
required to stay for the Messiah
-
After each performance, all Children's Choir members will be
led to the Institute Room
- Children's Choir participants will be supervised
in the Institute room
until the Messiah is over
- Children
must be picked up immediately following the Messiah
performances or after done singing
Last Day to Join:
- New participants should not join after the 2nd rehearsal
- Sign up to participate, even if you can't make the 1st
rehearsal
- The program will be sent
to the printer after the 1st rehearsal
Concert Dress:
- Wear red, green, or white shirts and black or dark colored skirts or pants
- Any combination of red, green, and white is fine if you do
not own the above
- Please dress modestly for all rehearsals and performances.
Senza Rehearsals: Sundays Nov. 12 from 8:25-8:45pm and Nov. 19 from 8:35-9:00pm, as needed. These are extra rehearsals with the soloists, so they may or may not happen. Plan on staying for the listed times, but you may be released early.
Senza Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 from 5:00-6:30pm. Light snacks will be provided after the senza rehearsal from 6:30-7:00pm.
Performance Info: See the Full Orchestra tab for call times and performance times.
Who Can Join:
-
By invitation only
- String players
and harpsichord only
- Players will
accompany the vocal soloists
Music to Play:
-
Pieces will be selected after solo auditions occur
- Piece selection will be emailed to all Senza players
Prelude Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 19 from 6:00-7:00pm
Prelude Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, Nov. 26 from 5:30-6:30pm.
Performance Call Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:15pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3:15pm.
Prelude Performance Times: Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3:30pm. Prelude performance times are scheduled for 30 minutes before each Messiah performance.
Who Can Join:
-
Violin, viola, cello, or bass players with 1+ years
experience
- Youth, children, teachers
accompanying students, or adults not ready for the Messiah
- No audition is necessary, but please learn the music and
practice
Music to Play:
-
Music is from Christmas Kaleidoscope books 1 & 2 by Robert
Frost
- Set List:
Adeste Fideles
The Infant King
We Three Kings
Away in a Manger
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
The First Noel
Joy to the World
Silent Night
- Violin: play parts A,
B, or C
- Viola: play part C
- Cello & Bass: play part D or E
What to Bring:
-
Instrument
-
Music Stand (for rehearsals only,
not performances)
-
Music (may be purchased at RBC Music, Amazon, Sheet Music
Plus, or other stores)
Performance Dress:
- Wear any combination of black and white