On December 1st and 2nd The Piedmont Singers, a musical outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Middleburg, will celebrate their 20th anniversary by performing the Christmas portion of Handel's beloved oratorio MESSIAH, conducted by Wendy Oesterling and accompanied by chamber orchestra. We invite you to enjoy the day of Middleburg parades, decorations, shopping, and food and end the experience by hearing the world famous and favorite Christmas music. Everyone attending is welcome to join the choir in singing the Halleluiah Chorus at the end of the concert. What a joyous and fitting finale to the annual Christmas in Middleburg festivities!

The Piedmont Singers was organized in 1999 specifically to present a musical celebration of Christmas at the close of the Christmas in Middleburg festivities. At that time The Rev. Marc Andrus, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, asked Wendy Oesterling, the Music Director (both then and now), to conduct the nine-member Emmanuel Choir in Handel's MESSIAH. For obvious reasons, Wendy believed such an ambitious undertaking would sound better if sung by a larger choir. Wendy subsequently asked and obtained permission to invite singers from churches all over the region to join in singing Handel's masterpiece. Her call drew dozens of singers eager for the opportunity to sing this wonderful music.

For the last twenty years, The Piedmont Singers have presented a Christmas concert at Emmanuel Church to conclude the Christmas in Middleburg celebration. In memory of the initial performance, they sing the Christmas portion of Handel's MESSIAH every five years. Since this is their 20th Anniversary celebration, they again will treat Middleburg to Handel's beautiful music.

The Piedmont Singers currently number over 45 singers from 17 churches as well as non-church affiliated singers who come from as far away as Virginia Beach. Over the past twenty years, more than 160 singers have participated in the concerts, representing more than 40 churches in Virginia.

The Piedmont Singers have served five cathedral residencies in England and Ireland, have sung Evensong at our own National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., performed with The Piedmont Symphony and have been invited to sing in many churches in Northern Virginia. Several settings of the Evensong service have been specifically written for The Piedmont Singers by wellknown composers. The Piedmont Singers perform an additional concert each year at Emmanuel Church in Middleburg at Easter.

Come to join us on Saturday, December 1 at 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday, December 2 at 3:00 p.m. for a glorious musical celebration to the Christmas in Middleburg 2018 celebration.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 105 East Washington Street, Middleburg, VA. Tickets are not required. A free will donation of $15 is recommended. For additional information, call Emmanuel Church at 540-687-6297.