Sing Hallelujah/Messiah update

Things are hotting up with the BBC/Radio3/English National Opera Sing Hallelujah project. We now have 350 choral events across the UK on our online map, so audiences can find their local performance of the Hallelujah Chorus - we are checking another 80+ registrations, so we should soon have well over 400 events logged.

Many of these local choirs are raising money for Children in Need, in tribute to Handel who used performances of Messiah to raise money for the Foundling Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children.

Once registered, choirs can download resources to help them perform the piece, including sound files and hints and tips from BBC Singers' chief conductor David Hill. Choirs can record their performances and then upload them to their event page. Some of the recordings will also make it on to Radio 3.

Next on the schedule are two large learning events on 5th December in Glasgow City Halls, and 6th December at ENO London Coliseum, and the there will be a special edition of The Choir  devoted to Sing Hallelujah on Sunday 6th December at 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, on English National Opera's side, there are new films, photos and text entries on the Messiah Community Ensemble blog, which I can recommend as a fascinating read!

• This is a link to the Sing Halllelujah site, where you can find details of all the features discussed above.
• This is a link to English National Opera's Community Ensemble blog.