Brownwood’s Lyric Theatre announces the Community Choir presentation of Handel’s Messiah this Thursday, December 13th, at 7:30pm in the sanctuary of the Union Presbyterian  Church in Brownwood.

The choir of approximately 40 will be directed by Dr. Robert Tucker and accompanied by organist Hai-Jean Choi.  Choi is a guest performer from Hardin-Simmons University and is also a doctoral candidate at Southern Methodist University.

The performance includes the Christmas portion and concludes with the Hallelujah chorus.  This year’s soloists include JoyRenee Blackstock, soprano; Hanna Bosley, alto; Dr. Greg Church, tenor and Jeff Woods, bass.

This presentation has been a local Brownwood tradition for the past 9 years.  The public is invited to come and invite friends and family to enjoy Handel’s Messiah.

Messiah was composed by George Frideric Handel in London, England the summer of 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland.  Handel revised the work several times and its most famous version was in the performance a benefit for the Foundling Hospital, a home for children, in 1754.

Mozart In 1789 orchestrated a German version of the work adding woodwind parts to the masterpiece.  Throughout the years, numerous orchestras and choirs worldwide have performed all or part of the renowned Messiah as a sacred Christmas tradition.

Thursday evening, Brownwood area residents are encouraged to attend and enjoy the Lyric’s Community Concert presentation of Messiah.