Messiah Choir

There may be no other composition more divinely inspired than George Frederic Handel's "Messiah" oratorio, a project he remarkably completed within one month.

Last Sunday the Messiah Choir, a local group of singers representing several church denominations, performed selections from Handel's masterpiece at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg. This Sunday the group will perform at 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The choir was started three years ago in part to promote church musicianship. One of the ways this is done is through a freewill offering at the two performances, though concert admission is free. The money collected from the offering goes toward scholarships for young musicians to attend a summer church music camp.

Last year the group awarded its first scholarship to Reed Thomas, a freshman at Saxony Lutheran High School. Thomas, who now sings in the choir, described the camp as "amazing" and now is more involved in the music ministry at her church and school.

The Trinity Lutheran handbell choir will give a preconcert at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday before the Messiah Choir takes the stage. At the end of the performance, those who would like to join the group in singing the "Hallelujah" chorus will be welcomed to do so.

Consider attending Sunday's concert. And thank you to the choir's organizers and participants for using this opportunity to encourage young people to participate in church music.