Grand Blanc Choral Society

Chorus Members
Hello everyone!

Rehearsals will be held on October 26th and November 2nd, 9th & 16th from 10:30-12:00 noon in the nave at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc. Attendance at three of the four rehearsals is required. (If you have a difficulty with this please speak to Mr. Walker).

The November 23rd Dress Rehearsal is MANDATORY. Chorus needs to report at 9:30AM. Rehearsal with orchestra begins at 10, and we will rehearse all of the choruses first. Soloists will rehearse after break.

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 24th, 4:00PM (3PM call).

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Send a message to learn more

Soloist Auditions
We will be holding auditions for soloists for the November 24th performance of "Messiah" on Monday, August 26th and Tuesday, August 27th, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the nave of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd.

Please be prepared to sing works suitable for your voice type from Händel’s "Messiah".

All those auditioning are expected to bring their own copy of music; an accompanist will be provided.

Please confirm with an email the audition time and date you would prefer (again, between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.). If there is a conflict, we will contact you to ask if you can adjust your audition time.

Please send your audition time request to: [email protected] and write MESSIAH Audition Time on the subject line. Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

Nada Radakovich, GBCS President

Audrey, GBCS Secretary

Send a message to learn more

Hello everyone! Looking forward to a fantastic performance of Händel's Messiah tomorrow at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church at 4:00. Hope to see you all there!

Hi choristers!

Just another reminder that the dress rehearsal is at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow due to the FSO having rehearsal in the afternoon. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Thank you!

More fun from rehearsal the other day!

Proper preparation!

The Grand Blanc Choral Society is so grateful to MACC and our donors and local businesses who help with this wonderful production!

Fantastic rehearsal for Messiah today!

Hello everyone,

This is an UPDATE for the DRESS rehearsal. We are going to be rehearsing on November 18th at 8:45 a.m. Rehearsal has been moved because members of the orchestra also have Flint Symphony Orchestra rehearsal on the 18th. Please be ready to sing and seated at 8:45 a.m.

Thank you!

Hi everyone!

Rehearsals start today and will be held on October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11 from 10:30-12:00 noon in the nave at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc. Attendance at three of the four rehearsals is required. (If you have a difficulty with this please speak to Mr. Walker).

The November 18th Dress Rehearsal is MANDATORY. Chorus needs to report at 9:30AM. Rehearsal with orchestra begins at 10, and we will rehearse all of the choruses first. Soloists will rehearse after break.

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 19, 4:00PM (3PM call).

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hello everyone!

The chorus numbers for this year are:
4 And the Glory of the Lord
9 O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
12 For Unto us a Child is Born
17 Glory to God
21 His Yoke is Easy
22 Behold the Lamb of God
39 Their Sound is Gone Out
44 Hallelujah
46 Since by Man Came Death
53 Worthy is the Lamb & Amen

Calling All Singers!

The 35th annual Grand Blanc Community Messiah Performance is just around the corner. Mark your calendars with the dates below.

Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. performance, 3:00 p.m. call
Place: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Grand Blanc

Frank Walker's vision for the Grand Blanc Messiah after 30+ years is still going strong. We are entering our fifth year as a non-profit organization. You have faithfully presented 34 live (plus one broadcast) performances of Messiah in Grand Blanc. Well done! Our broadcast three years ago reached almost 6,000 viewers.

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church has very generously allowed us to house all things Messiah and to hold the performance in this acoustically ideal location.

We have invited Baroque specialist, Jeff Walker, (also co-conductor of The Flint Symphony Chorus) to lead us again this year, with full orchestra. We will provide a list of choruses shortly.

Rehearsals will be held on October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11 from 10:30-12:00 noon in the nave at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc. Attendance at three of the four rehearsals is required. (If you have a difficulty with this please speak to Mr. Walker).

The November 18th Dress Rehearsal is MANDATORY. Chorus needs to report at 9:30AM. Rehearsal with orchestra begins at 10, and we will rehearse all of the choruses first. Soloists will rehearse after break.

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 19, 4:00PM (3PM call). Concert attire: Black long sleeve shirt or blouse, no lettering or logos, etc., black dress pants or skirt, black socks or stockings, black dress shoes. Black long sleeve dresses are fine for the ladies. Please bring a black folder for your score.

At all rehearsals and the performance, please be considerate of fellow performers who have allergies and sensitivities to perfumes, colognes, and other fragrances. NO perfumes, etc., please.
THERE IS NO AUDITION. However, each year, there are always some changes (possible cuts, reconciling different editions), so it is very important that all singers attend at least THREE rehearsals plus the Dress Rehearsal.

Please bring a sharpened pencil, your own copy of Händel’s Messiah (any edition), and maybe a bottle of water. For those without scores, we have copies available to lend, or for you to purchase at our cost, $10 per copy.

To assist you in musically preparing for the rehearsals, go to: http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm
(Be sure to scroll down to the FREE section.) This site will allow you to hear your specific part for each chorus so you can sing along as you learn.

We are very grateful for your participation and look forward to you joining us this year.

Sincerely,

Nada Radakovich

The CyberBass Project

Hello Everyone!
We will be holding auditions for soloists for the November 19th performance of "Messiah" on Saturday, August 12th and Saturday, August 19th, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the nave of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd.
Please be prepared to sing works suitable for your voice type from Haendel’s "Messiah".
All those auditioning are expected to bring their own copy of music; an accompanist will be provided.
Please confirm with an email the audition time and date you would prefer (again, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.). If there is a conflict, we will contact you to ask if you can adjust your audition time.
Please send your audition time request to: [email protected] and write MESSIAH Audition Time on the subject line. Thank you for your interest. Stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Nada Radakovich, GBCS
Audrey, GBCS Secretary

Kick off the holiday season with the glorious music of Handel's Messiah, 4:00 p.m. at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, MI 48439 on Sunday 11/20/22. (Free-will offering) Come to the afterglow following the performance!

Calling All Singers!


The 35th annual “Grand Blanc Community Messiah Performance” is just around the corner. Mark your calendars with the dates below. It’s pretty exciting to be back in business after the ordeal we have all been through. Also, there are a few caveats. More on that later.

Date: Sunday, November 20, 2022
Time: 4:00 p.m. performance, 3:00 call time
Place: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church– Grand Blanc

Frank Walker’s vision for the Grand Blanc Messiah Sing after 30+ years is still going strong. We are entering our fourth year as our own Non-profit organization (still known as The Grand Blanc Choral Society), and this will be our fourth year as a ‘standalone’ group. You have faithfully presented 33 live (plus one broadcast) performances of Messiah in Grand Blanc. Well done!

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Father Jerry have very generously allowed us to house all things “Messiah Sing” and to hold the performance in this acoustically ideal location.

We have invited Baroque expert, Jeff Walker, (also co-conductor of The Flint Symphony Chorus) to lead us again this year, with full orchestra.

The selected choruses are:

No. 4 And the Glory of the Lord

No. 9 O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

No. 12 For Unto Us a Child is Born

No. 17 Glory to God

No. 21 His Yoke is Easy

No. 22 Behold the Lamb of God

No. 44 Hallelujah!

No. 46 Since by Man Came Death

No. 53 Worthy is the Lamb (including the Amen)

And possibly these 2 additional choruses:
No. 35 Let all the angels of God worship Him

No. 51 But thanks be to God

We are holding 4 (FOUR) rehearsals. October 22nd and October 29th, November 5th and 12th, from 10:30-12:00 noon in the nave at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc. It is mandatory to attend 3 out of the 4 rehearsals.

The November 19th DRESS rehearsal is MANDATORY. Choristers are due at 9:30. Rehearsal is from 10-12:30. We will rehearse all of the choruses first.

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 20th, 4:00 p.m. (3 p.m. call).
Dress for the performance is pit black: long sleeved black shirt or blouse, black dress slacks or skirts (or black dress), and black socks and shoes.

At all rehearsals and the performance, please be considerate of fellow performers who have allergies and sensitivities to perfumes, colognes, and other fragrances. You smell fine just as you are.

THERE IS NO AUDITION – however, each year, as there are always some changes (possible cuts, reconciling different editions), it is very important that all singers attend at least THREE rehearsals.

As all good singers know, please bring a sharpened pencil, and your own copy of Händel’s “Messiah” (any edition) and maybe a bottle of water. For those without scores, we have copies available to lend, or for you to purchase at our cost, $8 per copy.

To assist you in musically preparing for the rehearsals, go to: http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm
(Be sure to scroll down to the FREE section.) This site will allow you to hear your specific part for each chorus so you can sing along as you learn.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Currently the Grand Blanc Choral Society requires that you bring proof of COVID vaccination to the first rehearsals. Masks are strongly encouraged but not required.
If you would like to purchase a singer’s mask, here are several links:

https://www.broadwayreliefproject.com/singersmask
https://www.amazon.com/Singers-Mask-adjustable-Singing-Teaching/dp/B08QVF1NCD
https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/face-masks-for-musicians.list

Best Masks for Musicians to Wear | Sheet music at JW Pepper Shop the best masks made for musicians. Whether you're looking for a mask for singers, to play an instrument, or music themed masks. Delivering music since 1876, JW Pepper sends every order with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Hello everyone,

We will be holding auditions for soloists for the November 20th performance on September 24, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the nave of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd.

Please be prepared to sing works suitable for your voice type from Haendel’s "Messiah".

All those auditioning are expected to bring their own copy of music; an accompanist will be provided.

Please confirm with an email the audition time you would like (again, between 1-4 p.m. on September 24th). If there is a conflict, we will contact you to ask if you can adjust your audition time.

Please send your audition time request to: [email protected] and write MESSIAH Audition Time on the subject line. Thank you for your interest. Stay healthy.

Sincerely,
Nada Radakovich, GBCS
Audrey Ditri, GBCS Secretary

MCACA Logo

Grand Blanc Choral Society updated their information in their About section.

Greetings All,



We are very pleased to be able to perform live and for an audience again this year and look forward to your participation!



We have received a significant grant and expect another shortly which means we will be able to have full orchestra and ten excellent soloists.



We will sing the following nine choruses:



No. 4 And the Glory of the Lord

No. 9 O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

No. 12 For Unto Us a Child is Born

No. 17 Glory to God

No. 21 His Yoke is Easy (new this year)

No. 22 Behold the Lamb of God

No. 44 Hallelujah!

No. 46 Since by Man Came Death (new this year)

No. 53 Worthy is the Lamb (including the Amen)



Selections have been made to highlight the talents of the chorus and soloists, to show a range of style and emotion, and to present a reasonably complete narrative.



You are responsible for bringing your own copy of the score (any edition). We have copies of the Schirmer edition available for purchase at $8. Also, please bring a sharpened pencil with an eraser (to remove old marks that may not apply to this performance) and a bottle of water to each rehearsal. You will need to provide a black folder for the performance.



Please take some time to work on your part, particularly any choruses which you have not sung previously. Go to

http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm

then scroll down to the chorus you want and click on your voice part.



All rehearsals and the performance will take place at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 South Saginaw Street (at the corner of Cook Road) in Grand Blanc.



Proof of vaccination is required and masks are mandated (by the Episcopal Diocese) at all times in St. Christopher’s. We will do our best in the existing space to socially distance. Singer’s masks are available online (although we ordered a batch for Symphony Chorus weeks ago and they have not yet arrived). The light blue temporary masks don’t work very well as they tend to get drawn into the mouth when you inhale. The stiffer KN95 masks seem to work well if you can’t procure a singer’s mask.



Rehearsals:



Saturday, October 30, 10:30 to noon

Saturday, November 6, 10:30 to noon

Saturday, November 13, 10:30 to noon



Two of the three rehearsals are required in order to be eligible to perform. If you have not sung Messiah before, please plan to attend all three. Please prioritize November 13. Having shortened these rehearsals, there will be no break.



Saturday, November 20 – 10:00-12:30 Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra

Attendance is mandatory in order to be eligible to perform. Choruses will be rehearsed first so you will likely be finished around 11:15. Please arrive not later than 9:45 and come warmed-up.



Sunday, November 21 – 3:00 Call, 4:00 Performance

Attire - Pit Black: Black long sleeve shirt, black dress trousers, black socks, black dress shoes for the men; black long sleeve blouse, mid-length to long black skirt (or long sleeve black dress), black stockings, black dress shoes for the women. No lettering or logos, no jewelry. The idea is to look uniform and professional. Please, no scented toiletries or hair spray.



It will be wonderful to make music together again (at long last!). We look forward to your participation!



Sincerely,



Jeff Walker, Conductor

Handel Messiah Midi Practice Files for Choirs Choir Midi Learning Files for works by George Frideric Handel

Calling All Singers!

The 34th (-ish) annual “Grand Blanc Community Messiah Performance” is just around the corner. Mark your calendars with the dates below. It’s pretty exciting to be back in business after the ordeal we have all been through. Also, there are a few caveats. More on that later.

Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021

Time: 4:00 p.m. performance, 3:00 p.m. call time

Place: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Grand Blanc

Frank Walker's vision for the Grand Blanc Messiah Sing after 30+ years is still going strong. We are entering our third year as our own Non-profit organization (still known as The Grand Blanc Choral Society), and this will be our third year as a “standalone” group. You have faithfully presented 32 live (plus one broadcast) performances of Messiah in Grand Blanc. Well done! Our broadcast last year reached almost 6,000 viewers.

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church has very generously allowed us to house all things “Messiah Sing” and to hold the performance in this acoustically ideal location. You will have the chance to meet St. Christopher’s new rector, Fr. Jerry Lasley.

We have invited Baroque specialist, Jeff Walker, (also co-conductor of The Flint Symphony Chorus) to lead us again this year, with full orchestra. We will be letting you know the selected choruses we will be preparing within the next week.

We are holding 3 (THREE) rehearsals. October 30, November 6th and 13th, from 10:30-12:00 noon in the nave at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 9020 S. Saginaw Rd., Grand Blanc. Attendance for two of the three rehearsals is required. (If you have a difficulty with this please speak to Mr. Walker).

The November 20th DRESS rehearsal is MANDATORY. It will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, (Choristers arrive 10:15-10:30) (Soloists will be rehearsing from 10-10:30)

The performance will be held on Sunday, November 21, 4:00 p.m. (3 p.m. call).

Concert attire: Black long sleeve shirt or blouse, no lettering or logos, etc., black dress pants or skirt, black socks or stockings, black dress shoes. Black long sleeve dress fine for the ladies. Please bring a black folder for your score.

At all rehearsals and the performance, please be considerate of fellow performers who have allergies and sensitivities to perfumes, colognes, and other fragrances. You smell fine just as you are.

THERE IS NO AUDITION however, each year, as there are always some changes (possible cuts, reconciling different editions), it is very important that all singers attend at least TWO rehearsals.

As all good singers know, please bring a sharpened pencil, and your own copy of Händel’s Messiah (any edition) and maybe a bottle of water. For those without scores, we have copies available to lend, or for you to purchase at our cost, $8 per copy.

To assist you in musically preparing for the rehearsals, go to: http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm

(Be sure to scroll down to the FREE section.) This site will allow you to hear your specific part for each chorus so you can sing along as you learn.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to the Coronavirus, the GBCS requires that all participants bring a vaccination card showing that you have been fully vaccinated to your first rehearsal. GBCS and the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan also require that masks be worn at all times inside the building.

If you would like to purchase a singer’s mask, here are several links:

https://www.broadwayreliefproject.com/singersmask

https://www.amazon.com/Singers-Mask-adjustable-Singing-Teaching/dp/B08QVF1NCD

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/face-masks-for-musicians.list

Handel Messiah Midi Practice Files for Choirs Choir Midi Learning Files for works by George Frideric Handel