SSO's Gerard Schwarz conducts flash 'Hallelujah Chorus' at downtown Seattle Nordstrom

Seattle's version of a flash mob burst into Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" Saturday afternoon at Nordstrom's flagship store downtown, becoming the latest joyful but not-so-spontaneous vocal performance in a big-city department store.

"It wasn't very flash mobby. It was more of a performance," said Ann Sager, who is choir director at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle.

She was among more than 600 participants who politely awaited their cue, "Deck the Halls" played by the Seattle Symphony's Kimberly Russ on Nordstrom's grand piano, before turning toward the escalators.

They followed the robust direction of the symphony's music director, Gerard Schwarz, who stood on a table in an attempt to be seen by everyone singing on three levels of the store.

"I loved it," Schwarz said. Unlike in some cities, where similar "random acts of culture" are being funded by the Knight Foundation, the cause on Saturday was "an affirmation of joy and good in the world."

He will conduct five performances of Handel's full "Messiah" at Benaroya Hall beginning Thursday.

The department-store gambit reminded Schwarz of his early career, when he played trumpet at a Tokyo store that is a cultural center with a restaurant, museum and concert hall.

Department stores in New York and Chicago also used to house concert halls, he said, "so this is bringing back an old tradition for five minutes."

Seattle's flash "Hallelujah" originated at Nordstrom, whose officials were captivated by YouTube footage of a similar mob singing the same song at a Macy's in Philadelphia in October.

The Seattle-based chain contacted the Seattle Symphony Chorale, which quickly rounded up hundreds of eager participants from 70 local choirs.

Nordstrom spokesman John Bailey said the chain hopes to put together a flash mob in another city that he declined to name.

As for the event not being "mobby," Bailey acknowledged, "there were a lot of people standing and waiting, so I have a feeling quite a few people were in on the surprise."

Still, "to have Gerard Schwarz lead everyone in song, it was really magical," Bailey said.

Nordstrom sales associate Michael Braislin had just sold a watch to one customer, who wanted him to hurry after the singing began.

"They wanted to see why people had their cellphones raised," said Braislin, who was warm following the crush of people. "They brought not only Christmas joy, but heat."

Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com