Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of the former North Christian Church in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
Asbury United Methodist Church and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic are offering a new immersive experience April 19 — an opportunity to sing along to Handel’s Messiah during the Easter season.
The event will be at 2:30 p.m. at the former North Christian Church as a benefit for Love Chapel. Tickets cost $25 and are available at columbuslovechapel.com.
Concert coordinator Kevin Earnest said the Asbury United Methodist Church choir usually performs the Hallelujah chorus during its Easter services, and while there was a desire to do more, he said they did not have the skill or personnel to make that happen. He said this concert serves as a way to make that happen while at the same time benefiting Love Chapel, as all ticket sales will go towards their nonprofit.
“They do a lot of work in the community that we’re a proud partner of them and the Ecumenical Assembly, and so we’re happy to do this work for them,” Earnest said.
The performance will feature the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, led by guest conductor Elliott Lentz of Indianapolis, as well as Asbury United Methodist Church staff organist Ed Bruenjes, Earnest said. The music will accompany the four soloists Eva Wilhelm, Danielle Long, Charles Vega and Grant Jackson.
“We’re going to be doing about 50 minutes of music. Within that, there are a handful of songs that the chorus (audience) will sing on and those who participate, who buy tickets and come to the show, will be the chorus. So even if they don’t sing, they’ll be sitting beside someone perhaps who sings,” Earnest said. “The (former) North Christian Church offers a unique setting where we’re sitting in the round, the orchestra will be in the center and so everybody will be in the action.”
The concert is also presented in partnership Bartholomew County Public Library, who Earnest said loaned the former North Christian Church space for use with this project. Love Chapel Development Director Allison Kunkler said the event is a great opportunity for people to celebrate Easter weekend in a beautiful space with beautiful music while also helping an organization that gives back to the community.
“I think the need is just higher than ever. It’s just something that we as an organization, we’re really lucky with the support that we have currently but our intent and my role moving forward this year is to try to get more public attention to our organization because the need is just consistently growing,” Kunkler said. “The need for funding is also just growing so… I think that we were given this opportunity to be the benefactor of something that really aligns with a lot of our organizational beliefs is just a win-win for everybody.”
Earnest said they intend to sell out the entire church for the concert. He hopes audience members have a moment of reflection during the busy Easter season and know they are doing a good thing by supporting Love Chapel. He said unlike a lot of orchestral settings where audience members are sitting far away from the orchestra, audience members will be in a room surrounded by sound, creating intense moments during the songs.
“And also, working with the world-class musicians we have at the CIP, the soloists we’re bringing in, we’re expecting to have a very high-caliber performance, but being in the middle of it is what will really make it special,” Earnest said.
Music will be provided both online and at the door so audience members can follow along and sing when the (audience) chorus is invited in.
