CONCORD, Ohio – As the holiday season settles over Northeast Ohio, the soaring strains of a beloved musical tradition will usher in the spirit of Christmas.
The Messiah Chorus of Lake County is marking a milestone year, celebrating its 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary with a community performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” They will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road.
The one-time performance — always free and open to all — brings together 150 community singers, four professional soloists, a string orchestra, organ, piano, harpsichord and trumpet. Freewill donations will be accepted.
“What a tremendous blessing and community milestone for our Chorus to have presented this historic work for 75 years,” said Kevin Donahue in a press release. Donahue sang tenor for eight years before becoming music director and conductor in 2011.
“This year we have more than 30 new members among our 150-voice chorus from all faiths and backgrounds,” he continued. “We’ve been rehearsing over the past seven weeks to present our Diamond anniversary version of ‘Messiah,’ the most inspirational and spiritually uplifting musical work ever composed.”
Involvement runs deep for many singers, but few match the devotion of bass singer Don Densmore of Perry. He has made the chorus part of his life for 67 years.
“It starts the Christmas season for me and I cherish it,” said Densmore.
For alto singer Rachel Sekki of South Euclid, the tradition is personal. Her family’s involvement in the chorus spans four generations. Sekki is bringing her 5-year-old daughter, Sisu, to rehearsals.
“Same rehearsals; same Sundays,” she said.
Sekki’s late mother Marlyss and late grandmother Alice sang in the chorus for many years.
“My mom was so proud of her certificate marking 30 years,” she recalled. Sekki has sung for eight or nine years, balancing her participation with time spent living out of town and serving as a missionary in Taiwan.
Handel’s “Messiah” remains a holiday cornerstone. Composed in just 24 days, it combines arias, solos, duets and choruses drawn from sacred Scripture, tracing the story of salvation from Christ’s birth to his death and resurrection. Handel conducted the debut performance in Dublin in 1742 and continued to lead or attend presentations until his death in 1759.
All are invited to experience the chorus’s 75th anniversary performance and the enduring holiday magic of “Messiah.” For more information, visit www.lakemessiahchorus.org.
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