Messiah Queered sing-along coming to Steinbach

For the first time Messiah Queered will be coming to Steinbach.

The sing-along performance of Handel’s Messiah is intended to be specifically welcoming to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies.

Organizer Trevor Kirczenow, a former Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra member, said it is Messiah “queered” because the four singer soloists are permitted to trade voice types as they wish and all musicians, singers and audience members may dress how they please in terms of gender expression. Drag is welcome, although it’s not specifically a drag event.

The music and lyrics of Handel’s Messiah are not altered in any way.

Kirczenow said this is the first time Messiah Queered will be in Steinbach, but it’s not a new idea.

Two years ago, he was part of the show as a performer in Winnipeg.

“It was just so meaningful to me to be part of that and that day I right away felt like we have to do this again,” Kirczenow said.

The idea was pitched through an organization of which he is a member, Steinbach Neighbours for Community and was quickly embraced.

Others joined to make it happen, including Manitoba Mobile Music (which Kirczenow cofounded), Southern Health, the University of Manitoba Office of Equity Transformation, the Desautels Faculty of Music, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, Steinbach United Church and the Days Inn by Wyndham in Steinbach.

The orchestra for the event will be made up mostly of professional musicians with some University of Manitoba students.

“It’s a nice opportunity for some of their best students to sit with professional musicians and learn that way,” he said.

Choir members include the Rainbow Harmony Project Choir which has members from Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, including Steinbach as well as people from Steinbach United Church, Grace Mennonite Church and St Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Kirczenow said this evening of incredible music comes at a good time.

“I think being able to come together as a community and supported by allies is really important, especially right now when our community is facing more challenges and more hostility,” he said, pointing to the fact that Steinbach Pride was cancelled because of threats.

“I know that a lot of people in our community struggle particularly around the holidays, especially if they have a more difficult relationship with their biological family,” he added. “The holiday time can a really difficult season for people so that’s part of wanting to put on this event at this time, to be able to bring people together in person and with this particular piece of music that is just so special and so joyful.

Tickets are available at evenbrite.ca by searching for “Messiah Queered Steinbach”. The score is available for download at manitobamobilemusic.ca.