So, this Sunday there’s an event called “Sing-A-Long Messiah”. Essentially, the church hires four professional vocalists to lead the four parts, and the people gathered form the choir, singing the various parts. A number of people from my church are planning on going. That’s cool. They love singing, and I’ve heard that this is quite the getup.
I don’t really want to go. I don’t like singing in public, and such an event would largely stress me out. Mea culpa and all that. Not criticizing the event.
But today, at lunch, it occurred to me that this is an excellent example of a new trend in the arts that I think is good. Rather than people merely being spectators to art, they are becoming performers of art. Rather than going to hear the “Messiah” sung, they are going to sing the “Messiah”. Just like in roleplaying, they are simultaneously performer and audience. It’s great! It’s a wonderful trend, encouraging people towards active creation. It’s avante garde. It’s subversive.
I still don’t want to go.
But I’m glad that it’s happening!
(The “Sing-A-Long Messiah” will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, for those who are interested.)
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