UVMC Alumni Return Home for Messiah Sing

Messiah Sing, Upper Valley Music Center’s annual holiday tradition in December, had more than 200 attendees and 40-plus performers — including former UVMC students home on break from college. UVMC alumni performed in the orchestra, filled in for a soloist, and volunteered.

UVMC’s production of Handel’s Messiah includes solos performed by UVMC voice students with an orchestra featuring UVMC faculty and community musicians. Charlotte Perkins, violin; Hannah Chipman, viola; and Oliver Andrews, violin, performed with the orchestra. Maddie Zuckerman, vocals, filled in for a soloist in the Community Chorus. Sadie Mielcarz, voice, volunteered by greeting attendees and handing out programs and scores.

“UVMC alumni often return to perform solos or play in the orchestra. What was notable this year was the variety of participation in 2024’s Messiah Sing,” said Erin Jenkins Smith, Education Director at UVMC. “What I love about this event is that it brings together so many different people and types of performers from students and alumni to community singers to orchestra members and families who are supporting performers. People of all experience levels can find a way to participate.”

Oliver Andrews, an Andover, New Hampshire resident, studied violin at UVMC from January 2010 to August 2024.

“Oliver was thrilled to come back to play at Messiah Sing. UVMC was Oliver’s musical home for 14½  years and it absolutely feels like a family to which he can always return,” said Christiane Andrews, his mother. “Though he grew up studying violin with Ben Van Vliet, he also worked with Alicia Casey, Mark Nelson, Ben Kulp, and Jenn Turbes in various orchestras, group classes, and ensembles, and they all had a part in helping him grow not only as a musician but also as a person.”

Part of what makes the return of alumni possible is the time of year — many are home visiting for the holidays. Zuckerman, for example, is studying in Paris and while she was home in Norwich, Vermont performed as a soprano soloist in Messiah Sing. But the other part is the feeling of family at Upper Valley Music Center.

“It’s inspiring for everyone to see how music can be a part of shaping a young person’s growth. For younger students to see an alum returning gives them a window into what’s possible for themselves. For the community to see children grow up with music, take flight as young adults, and then return to continue making music highlights what a difference a community music center can make,” said Ben Van Vliet, Executive Director of Upper Valley Music Center.

“I appreciated the teachers at UVMC, who are quite incredible, especially for a music program based in a relatively small community. They helped me develop as a musician and gave excellent technical instruction,” Chipman said. “More recently, it’s been fun to reconnect with a few UVMC folks out and about in the local music community, whether at the Messiah Sing or playing wedding gigs together. I always feel like I’m welcome to reach out or come back to visit for events.”