Instead of going to a normal Christmas party -- you know, complete with cookies and caroling and maybe some tree trimming -- my cousin Patrick and I spent our evening at a Messiah party.
As in, Handel's Messiah. As in, assorted string instruments and a clarinet and a trumpet and a few dozen Mennonites with their own score books. (In this case, BYOB referred not to alcohol, but to these 250-page score books, just in case some people had a few extra lying around the house. Which they did. Duh.)
Yes, we all gathered in someone's home at 7:00 on a Friday night to sing the Messiah, in four part harmony with instrumental accompaniment. There were refreshments served afterward. No one was there to listen to us, aside from some partygoers who needed to rest their vocal chords for a few movements. It was purely for our own entertainment. We stumbled through some of the more difficult arrangements, but we sang every single one of the choruses and even coerced a couple people (like poor Patrick) into doing some of the solos.
When we finished the last "Amen"s, everyone chatted for a few minutes but quickly moved to gather their coats and head for home. I guess when the Messiah ends, the Messiah party has to end too.
I've been to some crazy themed parties (golf pros and tennis hos, anyone???? gotta love frats), but never anything quite like this.
<3tara
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2 comments:
we went to see handel's messiah at the kennedy center! but we should have just gone to see you so we could have had better seats!
oh, Mennonites and their music obsessions. That's actually what I've missed the most about Christmas this year (besides people). thanks for chronicling it, Tara. now that i've found this blog i'll have to check to see what other hilarity follows. :) hope you're having fun with the Resslers!
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