Hartland Messiah Chorus

10/14/2026

October 14, 2026
Creation of "events" can be an effective means of creating awareness and fostering ticket sales. Today I created a Messiah event on the Family Life Radio family of stations in Michigan. There is no cost and Family Life listeners may be more likely to embrace Handel's Messiah as a Christmas tradition. The plan is to seek out other media outlets with similar event calendars.
Rehearsals start in 5 days! It's not too late to join us in singing Handel's Messiah this December 12th. If interested, just show up at the Hartland Senior Activities Center next Monday 10/19 at 6:30pm. Feel free to call at 810-844-3508 or email at [email protected].

10/11/2026

Oct 11
Your "likes" and "follows" really do help. Thank you!!

I have known our talented organist, Rick Helderop, since the 1980s. He has been our Messiah organist for well over 10 years. My how time flies . . .
Rick owns Covenant Organs which specializes in organ maintenance, installation, and repair. In fact, his team is responsible for the recent maintenance on the 1933 vintage Kilgen pipe organ at the Hartland Music Hall.
For our Messiah performance on Dec 12, Rick's organ will share some of the spotlight with our "new for 2026" vintage harpsichord (and talented harpsichordist). The two keyboard instruments will be supported by our returning string quartet, piccolo trumpet, and the 40+ voice Hartland Messiah Chorus.
There are only 200 seats available at the Hartland Music Hall for our single performance on December 12th. Don't miss out!
See our website for details www.HartlandMessiah.com

10/10/2026

October 10, 2026
What are the differences between a piano and a harpsichord?

A harpsichord plucks its strings with small picks when you press a key; a piano strikes its strings with felt-covered hammers.
That difference shapes the sound and feel: a harpsichord has a bright, crisp tone, and pressing a key harder doesn’t make the note much louder. A piano can play softly or loudly depending on touch, giving it a wider dynamic range. Harpsichords may have multiple keyboards or stops to change their tone, while pianos commonly use pedals to sustain or alter the sound.

Pianos have clearly "won the battle" over the years but nuts to that! We LOVE harpsichords! I'm sure that you will too after you experience Handel's Messiah this December 12th at the Hartland Music Hall.
Tickets are $20/$30 and available at HartlandMessiah.com

10/08/2026

Oct 8, 2026. 16 tickets sold thus far.
Our rehearsal pianist, Melanie Jim, is one of the unsung heroes of the Hartland Messiah Chorus. Melanie has no place on stage at the Hartland Music Hall. In fact to our audience she is just another name in the program. However her contribution to an excellent Messiah performance is absolutely huge!

10/07/2026

Oct 7th. Ticket sales at 14 so far.
Any vocal group is only as good as its director/leader. That individual must mold 40+ individual voices into the DNA of the chorus. Our beloved director for over 10 years has been Kelli Falls.
Kelli teaches vocal music at Parker Middle School in Howell. Her love is music, and her passion is teaching and conducting. Kelli believes that every singer has the potential to excel to greatness. As an amateur community group, Hartland Messiah Chorus is open to anyone who possesses the heartfelt desire to sing Handel's Messiah to the very best of their ability.

10/06/2026

Blog for Oct 6.
My first posting in 3 days due to "excessive" outdoor tasks in the beautiful fall weather.
Ticket sales are at 8 so far. Pretty encouraging for early October.
Online tickets at www.HartlandMessiah.com
Less than 2 weeks until rehearsals begin on 10/19. Its not too late sing with us but time is getting short. Details on our website.
Today I posted Messiah as an event on WHMI radio. Their community calendar is a great free advertising resource.
Advertising can be a tough challenge. Finding the sweet spot between ad cost and benefit seems like an art rather than a science. My unit of measure is seats at the Hartland Music Hall. How many $20 seats does an ad cost versus how many ticket sales it generates. Trial and error and some tracking tools can provide useful data but only after the fact.

10/01/2026

Blog post for Oct 1st.
Some say that Handel's Messiah is a classic oratorio, loved by millions of people over the years. They would be correct!
Others say that Handel's Messiah is a religious production, describing the life of Jesus Christ as written in the Bible. They would also be correct!
Since 1933, Messiah has been an annual Christmas tradition in Hartland's historic Music Hall.
There is only one performance each year. You won't want to miss it! Get tickets while they last at www.HartlandMessiah.com.

09/30/2026

2026 will be our 3rd year with the same outstanding string quartet.
Jeff Fisk - 1st Violin
Beth Halt - 2nd Violin
Janet Austin - Cello
David Misura - Viola
The 15 second video excerpt is from a 2024 rehearsal.
On December 12th you can witness the real thing!

09/29/2026

9/29 Blog post.
If you have never experienced a choral performance at the historic Hartland Music Hall, you are in for a treat! Be transported back to 1933 when the circa 1858 former church was transformed into a "state of the art" music hall by Hartland benefactor J. Robert Crouse. The acoustics are excellent, hence no need for a sound system. Each of the 220 seats enjoys excellent sound quality which immerses the hearer in Handel's world of voice, organ, harpsichord, and strings. You may choose to follow along with the libretto included in your program or to simply sit back and be inspired by the true Biblical account of Jesus the Messiah.

09/28/2026

Blog post for 9/28.
The Chorus just gained another new singer! That makes 9 new voices so far. Don't fret! There is room for plenty more. Just drop an email to [email protected] if you are interested in singing in Messiah this fall. Rehearsals start on Monday 10/19, 6:30pm at the Hartland Senior Center. Details are on our website

Join us for the 93rd year featuring Handel's Messiah as performed in 1754, led by Dr. Joseph Daniel Hoste on a vintage harpsichord and pipe organ, accompanied by strings, piccolo trumpet, and the 50-voice Hartland Messiah Chorus. Don't miss this unique musical experience!