Metropolitan A. M. E. Church’s performance of Handel’s Messiah gives back to the community The Cathedral Choir of Historic Metropolitan A. M. E. Church in downtown Washington, D. C. presented its 35th performance of the oratorio last Sunday. Led by the church’s Minister of Music, Dr. Lester Green, the choir rendered the work accompanied by chamber orchestra and guest soloists: soprano Michele Gutrick, mezzo-soprano Monique Holmes, tenor Keith Byron Craig, baritone David Griffiths and baritone Vashawn Savoy McIlwain. Surrounded by the majestic architecture of the sanctuary, adorned in holiday greenery, the church was bursting with joy as the choir rendered the timeless masterwork.
Under Green’s direction, the choir, orchestra and soloists presented the Advent portion as well as movements from parts II and III, including the famous ‘Hallelujah Chorus.” Leading journalist Gwen Ifill was the guest moderator of the evening and expertly channeled the enthusiastic energy of all assembled. An interesting facet of the presentation was the involvement of high school youth, college students and recent college graduates in the performance.
Since 2006, the church has embraced the participation of young people in the music ministry in a meaningful way through the Metropolitan Arts Partners Program (M.A. P. P.). Morgan State University graduate student and returning M. A. A. P. participant, Imhoptep McLean was highlighted in several arias and recitatives in part II.of the work.
With the grandeur of the organ played masterfully by Samuel Springer, the choir and orchestra resounded forth the final chorus: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain.”
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