I took a LONG hiatus from choral & classical singing and vocal training, some 28 years in fact. I continued singing Medieval & Renaissance music and medieval Scandinavian Balladry during that break and that was wonderful, but I joyfully returned to choral singing with Evensong Chamber Choir in 2019. I didn’t realize how MUCH I missed singing with a chorus of other voices until then. I am OVERJOYED to now be part of singing with “Belle Voci Acapella Ensemble” and the “Chilliwack Symphony Chorus” for this year’s beautiful presentations of Handel’s masterpiece, “MESSIAH”.

My introduction to Handel’s “MESSIAH” was singing a solo medley of highlights from the work in church as a teen, with a canned accompaniment track, and being able to hit a high B with ease, back some -mumblety-seven- years ago, when I was still a Soprano. Though most everyone, regardless of their relationship to this type of music, would likely recognise the ever famous “Hallelujah Chorus” from church, recital, TV & radio ads, impromptu “thanks-giving” in jest, whether recognising it as such or not, like me they may not be familiar with the rest. I didn’t actually hear the entirety of the MESSIAH until I was an adult. There were snippets here and there, and a kind of highlights reel at the “Sing-along Messiah” at the Orpheum in Vancouver (always a hoot whether you’re a choral singer or not), but it wasn’t until much later that I was able to drift away into the oratorio in its entirety. I enjoyed it before, but have LOVED it even more since that moment. There is just something uplifting and soul-filling about this music, regardless of your spiritual beliefs.

“MESSIAH” remains in my Top 10 pieces of music, along with Allegri’s “Miserere Mei, Deus” (my favourite piece ever), Mozart’s “Requiem” (which Belle Voci JUST presented a few weeks ago), and Bach’s “St. John’s Passion (which Belle Voci will be presenting in the spring AND which has been one of my favourites since I was a teen and literally wore out my cassette recordings).

This is my first season singing (Alto) with Belle Voci and the CSC. I am immensely privileged and excited to be part of bringing this iconic work to all of you once again. It is my sincere hope, especially if you’ve never experienced “MESSIAH” before, that your heart will be moved, your mind refreshed, your spirit filled with joy and that you will love this music from that moment on as much as we love to sing it for you!

Sheila Louise Wright