Morristown-based Masterwork Chorus prepares for ‘Messiah’ performances

For one of his first acts as the new music director of Masterwork Chorus, Christopher Shepard asked that all the choir members purchase a new copy of Handel’s “Messiah.”

Shepard had a practical reason for the request. Some of the copies were well-worn and filled with the erasures of notes taken under the previous directors.

But in another sense, Shepard was sending a message that he wanted to make his own mark with Masterwork.

“We’re starting fresh,” Shepard said. “I’m thrilled when something I do is what others did before me, but I’m also thrilled that I’m doing something new.”

That new approach will be evident when Masterwork will perform “Messiah” under Shepard at Ridge Performing Arts Center in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards on Dec. 19 and at venerable Carnegie Hall on Dec. 23.

In addition, Masterwork will host its annual “Messiah” sing-along at St. Peters Episcopal Church on Dec. 13.

Since its founding in 1955, Masterwork Chorus has performed “Messiah” more than 250 times, in venues as varied as Morristown High School and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Keeping continuity

Shepard stressed that he had nothing but respect for the tradition established by his predecessors, beginning with the late David Randolph, who founded the group and led it until 1992.

After Randolph, Masterwork performed under David Briskin from 1992 to 1999 and under Andrew Magill until earlier this year.

“I remember, as a student, singing from David Randolph’s choral series,” Shepard said. “I’ve known Andrew Magill for years. It’s an honor to take over from such storied conductors.”

Shepard acknowledged that picking up the conductor’s baton could have been awkward, for him and for the singers. But he felt that his first months leading the group have gone smoothly.

“We’ve had a great fall,” he said. “The singers never questioned what I’m going for. They think like singers.”

Shepard quickly earned the respect of the members of the chorus, according to a soprano Martha Carrellas of Berkeley Heights. Carrellas joined Masterwork in 1987 and has sung under all four directors.

“Chris brings new energy and new ideas,” Carrellas said. “He has a new approach to rehearsals; we start singing things a tempo (at full speed), right from the start. You have to be on your toes.”

Carrellas felt that “Messiah” is an appropriate piece to begin Shepard’s tenure. “We know the notes, but there’s still room in it for a new approach,” she said.

“These soloists always have new interpretations, and a new conductor always brings something different out of the chorus,” Carrellas said.

“Messiah” itself is a piece that Carrellas said she never grows tired of singing, even though she has sung it more than 100 times.

“The music is beautiful, and the message is lovely,” she said. “I’m drawn to it year after year. It’s transforming.”

Comfort and joy

Shepard admitted that he is a relative newcomer when it comes to Handel’s oratorio. At the end of this year, he will have conducted the work 10 times; in comparison, David Randolph had conducted “Messiah” a total of 166 times.

“It’s the sort of piece that reveals new treasures every time,” Shepard said. “One year, the idea of comfort might come through strongly. Another, it may be the idea of joy.”

Shepard, a Vermont native, comes to Masterwork with a background in baroque music. During the 12 years he lived in Sydney, Australia, he started the Sydneian Bach Choir and Orchestra, which eventually performed all of Bach’s choral cantatas.

Besides serving as music director of Masterwork, Shepard also leads the Worcester Chorus in Massachusetts, the Dessoff Choirs in New York City, and CONCORA, the oldest professional choral ensemble in Connecticut.

Shepard said the prospect of conducting “Messiah” on the Perelman Stage at Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall is both daunting and thrilling.

“Some people like to play it down,” he said. “But imagine everyone who’s ever been on that stage. And it’s an incredible space acoustically.”

Shepard said that he plans to branch out with Masterwork’s concerts in 2016. In February, he will lead a program called “Forest and Vale,” which will feature shorter pieces, such as Robert Frost poems set to music by Randall Thompson.

“It’s going to be an intimate program,” Shepard said. “I wanted something on a smaller scale.”

However, that concert will be a warm-up to the spring performance of “Creation” by Haydn. “It’s not unlike ‘Messiah’ in that it’s a pillar masterwork in choral music,” Shepard said.

As for the future, Shepard said he is keeping an open mind. He is considering new commissioning works for the chorus. He is also amenable to the idea of a program of Broadway music, to help spread the word about Masterwork.

“If I think too specifically early on, I miss the group’s potential,” Shepard said. “I want to embrace Masterwork’s tradition of presenting the masterpieces of the vocal repertoire.”

“MESSIAH” BY MASTERWORK CHORUS

WHAT: The 100-voice New Jersey-based chorus will perform Handel’s “Messiah” twice this month. Since the group first performed the oratorio at Morristown High School in 1957, it has sung “Messiah” more than 250 times. These concerts will mark the first times that Masterwork will perform the full “Messiah” under its new music director, Christopher Shepard.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23

WHERE: Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York City.

ADMISSION: $13.50 to $90

INFORMATION: 212-247-7800 or www.carnegiehall.org.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19

WHERE: Ridge Performing Arts Center, 268 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge section of Bernards

ADMISSION: $15 to $68, plus online service fees

WHAT: Annual “Messiah” Sing-Along with Masterwork Chorus. Copies of the score will be provided, though attendees are welcome to bring their own scores.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

WHERE: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 215 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes

ADMISSION: Free. Complimentary refreshments provided.

INFORMATION: www.masterwork.org