Hallelujah! It’s time to sing The Messiah!

The lights dim and a hush falls over the audience. A conductor steps to the stand and the elegant strains of a Baroque masterwork flow from the strings. The choir rises and adds their voices. A magical moment. And it could include you.

For more than 30 years, the Mat-Su Valley community has presented Handel’s Messiah. For the past five years, performances featured a full choir and orchestra on the Glenn Massay stage.

We’ve just started practicing for the concert again this year, and guess what—you can join us! We need more singers; singers just like you. We have a beautiful venue reserved for two performances on Sunday, December 3rd. We have an orchestra in rehearsal. We have extra scores for you to borrow. But what we really need is more singers!

This year we have a fine visiting conductor from Idaho: Clay McKee. Full of energy, and inspired by Handel’s soaring musical vistas, he keeps us smiling, singing and thinking. Though we have been rehearsing for the last four Sundays, he welcomes any newcomers and is hoping you will join us.

The Messiah music is challenging, no mistake. This year we are singing ten choruses, including the familiar “Hallelujah.” Other favorites include “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs,” and “All We Like Sheep.”

While some veterans sing the work year after year, others are new to the music. Anyone with a passion for music, a good strong voice, and a willingness to put in the work can contribute to the choir!

Feeling inadequate in the face of perplexing musical phrases? Luckily, computer programs or phone apps can help you get comfortable with the music at home. Just click in and sing along in the car or at the kitchen sink.

In addition to the choral pieces on the program, there will be several beautiful solos, and a pair of orchestral pieces from the oratorio. Both concerts are free, so your family, friends and neighbors can come and watch you perform. To top it off, you can all enjoy cookies and hot chocolate together after the performances in the lobby.

This is the musical place to be: with excellent musicians inviting you to share in the fun, a capable strong conductor, the chance to sing with an outstanding orchestra, and the opportunity to perform in the finest venue in the valley.

So, this Sunday, at 5:30 p.m., come to the brick church next to Wasilla High School and join us in the chapel. Come learn the music and share the comradery, the richness of the harmonies, the sparkle of the melodies, and the sweetness of singing timeless praises to our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is an invitation you don’t want to pass up.

Kristin Fry has been singing with the Messiah Choir for more than 20 years and hopes you will join us. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Rehearsals and Performances:

All rehearsals are held at the Wasilla Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 821 E. Dellwood Drive.

Sunday, Nov 5th: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturdays, November 11th, 18th and 25th, 2-5 p.m.

Dress Rehearsal: Friday, December 1st from 6-9 p.m.

Performances: Sunday, December 3rd 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Free!