Festival Choir Information

Messiah Rehearsal and Concert Details – December 2025

Thank you for joining us for this exciting project! Here are the details you’ll need to ensure you are fully prepared for the concert performance.

Key Points

· Repertoire: Messiah by George Frideric Handel (1741). We will perform all solos and choruses from Part One, plus the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Part Two as an unlisted encore not listed in the program.

· Vocal Score Edition: Watkins Shaw, published by Novello & Company Limited, 1992 – please ask Bryan for a copy you can borrow for the month, or help yourself to the copy you used in a prior performance. To keep our rehearsals efficient, everyone uses the same edition.

· Dress rehearsal on Saturday 12/20 is mandatory; you must attend this if you wish to sing in the performance.

· Concert Attire: Solid black dress, suit, or similarly dressy clothing, plus a festive “splash of color.” This can be a scarf, necktie, brooch, pin, or similar. Gold, red, green, and violet are all acceptable colors.

· Questions? Please contact Dr. Bryan Holten, Director of Music: bholten@opmh.org

Thursday December 4 at 7:30pm

  • Rehearse Messiah for the first portion of our regular weeknight choir rehearsal; regular choir members stay until 9:30 p.m. to rehearse additional Sunday repertoire.

Sunday December 7 at 10:00am

  • Rehearse “And the Glory of the Lord”; Festival Choir invited to sing for 11:00 service

Thursday December 11 at 7:30pm

  • Same routine as 12/4

Saturday December 13 from 10:00am to 12:30pm – Heritage Hall

  • Rehearse Part One choruses in full choir and sectionals; includes a break.

Thursday December 18 at *8:00*pm

  • Rehearse following the Longest Night Service, staying as late as 9:30.

Saturday December 20 from 10:00am to 12:30pm – Final Dress Rehearsal in Sanctuary with Orchestra – MANDATORY

  • Attendance at this rehearsal is mandatory for all singers wishing to perform the following day.

Sunday December 21

  • 10:00 a.m. – Rehearse “O Thou That Tellest” and “For Unto Us a Child Is Born”; Festival Choir invited to sing at 11:00 a.m. service
  • 2:30 p.m. – Concert call time; touch-up rehearsal
  • 4:00 p.m. – Concert begins

Rehearsal Tracks