By Jenni Carlquist
The Provo Tabernacle will be filled Friday, Dec. 14 with the sounds of an enthusiastic musical performance with an unusual twist -- the performers won''t just be practiced musicians, they''ll also include members of the audience.
The annual 'Messiah' Sing-in, sponsored by the Provo City Arts Council, has become a Christmas tradition for several people in the Utah Valley, said Kathryn S. Allen, the executive director of the council.
'This is a wonderful program, especially when you get to sing the ''Hallelujah Chorus,''' Allen said. 'You can get up and sing and just feel such a part of it.'
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for students and senior citizens, Allen said.
She said the event is for adults, and requests that children under 8 years old not attend.
Allen said copies of the music will be available for rent, or sale, but added that most people who attend already own a copy of the music.
The rental cost is $3, and the purchase price is $9, she said.
'For some people, it''s like going to church: you bring your scriptures. If you go to the ''Messiah,'' you bring your score,' she said.
The conductor for the event, Alan Boyer, said the Wasatch Chorale will sing and will be accompanied be a conglomeration of community musicians who came together just for this event.
He said the nature of the rehearsals puts a lot of pressure on the musicians, but they are all dedicated to making it a great performance.
'A number of players have spoken to me and said that they will dedicate their performance to the great glory of God, and that means something special is going to happen,' Boyer said.
Boyer, who moved to Utah from England a few years ago, said audiences are never asked to sing with performances of the 'Messiah' in the United Kingdom.
He thinks the fact that it''s so popular in Utah is an example of cultural differences.
'Having the audience sing and participate just adds to the occasion and the depth of the performance,' Boyer said. 'It''s so musically rich in Utah, it''s electric.'
Boyer said this opportunity to conduct the 'Messiah' has been especially meaningful to him because he''s joined the Catholic Church since the last time he participated with a performance.
He said he''s really studied the score and found the faith in it.
Allen said four soloists will be featured at this evening''s performance, including baritone Clayne Robison from the BYU School of Music.
'I love this annual opportunity to commemorate the birth of the Savior with this great piece of music by Handel,' Robison said.
Boyer said he has very specific goals for this performance.
'I want everyone to be able to go home and say, ''That was worth it. That made me feel like a better person,''' Boyer said.