GUILFORD — On behalf of the trustees of Friends of Music at Guilford, I extend sincere thanks to everyone who attended and otherwise supported our 43rd annual Community Messiah Sing on Dec. 7, and our 41st Christmas at Christ Church concerts on Dec. 13 and 15, events that allow us to contribute to the support of three other local nonprofit organizations.
Set at Centre Congregational Church since 1980, the Messiah Sing was rededicated in 2007 as a benefit for homeless people at holiday time. Since then, we have raised more than $11,500, divided equally between the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center and Morningside Shelter. This year's total for the two agencies was $1,704.
An annual outdoor collection by Drop In Center volunteers supplemented our cash contribution with groceries, winter outerwear, and bedding from Sing attendees and others.
The soloists and conductor for this community-based event have traditionally donated their services to the cause. We appreciate the service trades, discounts, or cash donations from the Messiah Sing sponsors.
On the following weekend, we hosted two performances of the Christmas at Christ Church celebration in that historic Guilford structure on Route 5. “Brightest & Best” featured the Guilford Chamber Singers, conducted by Tom Baehr, performing an exciting mix of richly melodic a cappella arrangements from several centuries. Amy Cann led a trio of Guilford Chamber Players in delightful instrumental interludes to complement the vocal selections.
Don McLean's dramatic reading for the occasion was a holiday story by Jean Stewart McLean (1917-63), his author mother, whose volume of poems, plays, and short fiction he edited and introduced to area audiences at a book release event hosted by Friends of Music in November. Each Christ Church holiday gathering ended, as usual, with a few carols sung by everyone.
These annual Christmas concerts are also offered free, with door donations shared equally by Friends of Music and the Christ Church Society for preservation and maintenance of the building. The stormy weekend weather put a damper on our attendance, but we passed along nearly $400 for upkeep of the church. Our heartfelt thanks go to performers and audience alike for making this year's program a wonderful celebration of the season.
Finally, we wish everyone in the broader tri-state community a 2014 blessed with peace, prosperity, and wonderful music.