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Hallelujah flashmob opens Messiah charity launch event
12th November, 2025
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The
composer ‘Handel’ joined a host of Worcestershire music lovers, business people
and VIPs on Thursday 6 November, for the official launch of a new benefit concert
initiative in aid of local young people’s charities.
Organisers
Worcester Festival Choral Society, the region’s leading large classical choir, held
the launch event in Worcester Cathedral’s Chapter House to herald its first,
fund-raising performance of Handel’s Messiah in aid of grant-making
charity the Worcestershire Community Foundation.
The event
attendees, who included the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice
Grant, heard how Worcester Festival Choral Society’s 140 singers will be raising
funds, as well as the roof, through its annual, candlelit performances of Handel’s
choral masterpiece at Worcester Cathedral – starting with its upcoming Messiah
concert on Saturday 6 December, 7.30pm.
The
evening began with a surprise appearance by ‘Handel’ himself – Worcester
Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music, Nicholas Freestone, in full costume. A
Worcester Festival Choral Society semi-chorus gave a rousing ‘flashmob’-style rendition
of the Hallelujah chorus. Speeches from Handel, as well as from Worcester
Cathedral, Worcester Festival Choral Society and Worcestershire Community
Foundation representatives, also revealed the inspiration behind the initiative,
and what it could mean for young people in Worcestershire.
The idea
to raise funds through the power of music came from Handel himself. The composer’s
own charitable performances of Messiah inspired the building of the
world’s first purpose-built maternity hospital (still in operation today) and
the completion of the Foundling Hospital in London, making a profound impact on
18th century health, well-being and social care.
Similarly,
voluntary donations made by the Choral Society’s Messiah concert-goers
and local business ‘Gold Patrons’, will be used for grants supporting the
education and well-being of local children and young people, via the
Worcestershire Community Foundation.
Anne Renshaw from Worcester Festival Choral Society confirmed: “We were thrilled to welcome so many people to the launch of this exciting new initiative. Handel’s Messiah is more than wonderful music, it’s been doing good in society for nearly 300 years. We’re now seeking to continue that charitable legacy here in Worcestershire.”
Chair of the Worcestershire Community Foundation, Jonathan Chenevix-Trench, commented: "To be Worcester Festival Choral Society's charity partner for such a wonderful event is a great honour, Through this joyous performance and its historical links with fundraising, we hope to raise awareness of our work, and to encourage public support to make our county more resilient."
Handel’s Messiah is one of the world’s most popular choral works, packed with well-known choruses and arias. When King George II attended its premiere in 1742, he is said to have been so moved by the mighty Hallelujah chorus that he rose to his feet – a tradition that audiences continue today. Performing with Worcester Festival Choral Society at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday 6 December will be the Meridian Sinfonia and acclaimed soloists Amy Carson (soprano), Frances Gregory (mezzo soprano), Simon Wall (tenor), and Tim Dickinson (bass baritone).
The
Worcestershire Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that supports the
county by championing smaller community groups and connecting donors of all
kinds with vital local causes. In 2023-24 it distributed over £600k of funding,
supporting 93 county projects. The Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice
Grant, is President of the Foundation.
For tickets and optional donation opportunities,
visit www.wfcs.online or call TicketSource on 0333 666
3366 (local call rate). Find out more about Worcestershire Community Foundation
at www.worcscf.org.uk.
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