The Binghamton Downtown Singers performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 20th was wonderful.  The four soloists – Brenda Dawe, soprano; Hilerie Klein Rensi, alto; Todd Geer, tenor; and Todd Robinson, bass/baritone – along with the musicians from Local 630 presented a performance that rivals any of this season’s Messiah performances.

Under the artistic direction of Alan Crabb, the Downtown Singers did a melodious job on the chorus parts of Handel’s piece.  The dedication of this year’s presentation – to the 40th anniversary of man’s first visit to the moon December 24, 1968 – helped move the audience even more as it was explained prior to the beginning of the performance.  The trumpet solo pieces during Part III, which I believe was played by Frank Campos whom I heard earlier this year in a special performance with the Dallas Brass at Owego-Apalachin Middle school, added to the performance.

A special note on the musicians is that one of the bass players was an 18 year old Maine-Endwell High School senior.

My only regret of the evening was that I did not have my digital camera with me.  The entire ensemble stood for a picture prior to beginning.