The 66th performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented by the Perryton Musical Arts Enrichment Foundation on Sunday, Nov. 28, in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church. The annual Christmas tradition will begin at 6 p.m.
The presentation is under the direction of Keith Harris, PHS choir director.
Soloists for this year’s performance will be TKaye Arruda, Jim Baker, Jill Ellzey, and Miguel Escobar, as well as Preston Hitt and Carolyn Terrell, guest soloists from Amarillo.
Accompanying this year will be Dr. Jim Rauscher on the organ and Janelle Buschman on the piano.
Members of the Amarillo Symphony performing this year include Erin Weber and Matt Arambula on first violin, Danielle Kupresanin and Bryan Gomez on second violin, Irma Borup on viola, Russell Steadman on cello, and Kruno Kupresanin on bass.
Those singing in the chorus include sopranos TKaye Arruda, Kris Erickson, Shae Lingo, Jenny McGaughy, Molly McGaughy, Vanessa Rauscher, Melanni Schollenbarger, April Simpson, and Carolyn Terrell.
Singing alto are Abigail Baker, Judy Beyea, Jill Ellzey, Cindy Escobar, Barbara Johnson, Lisa Peckenpaugh, Joan Quist, and Brenda Schnabel.
Singing tenor are John Erickson, Preston Hitt, Matt McGarraugh, and Glen Quist.
Singing bass are Jim Baker, William Baker, Leon Bell, John Ellzey, Miguel Escobar, Mike Meller, Benjamin Metzger, Mark Metzger, Ryan Quist, and Senn Slemmons.
The first performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s masterpiece was presented in 1950, with only 35 voices. It was well received by the public.
In 1979, members of the First Christian and the First United Methodist Church suggested the annual presentation become a community event. The Perryton Musical Arts Enrichment Foundation was formed.
Cloys Webb, music director of the Perryton schools, began leading the Christmas event in 1983 and continued for the next nine years.
Under his leadership, the performances of “The Messiah” grew in scope and size, with several performances of more than 150 members.
Webb retired in 1992 and Perryton High choir director Keith Harris began leading the event in 1993.
In 2004, on the 50th anniversary of the Messiah, members of the string section of the Amarillo Symphony joined the performance. The use of this string section has become part of the annual tradition.
The performance was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The performance is about 90 minutes, including a brief intermission.
Anyone who would like to support the tradition of “Messiah” in Perryton is welcome to become a donor. Please select a giving level which suits you, and return your sponsorship check, payable to Handel’s Messiah to Handel’s Messiah c/o Perryton Christian Church Alliance, P.O. Box 246, Perryton, TX, 79070-0246 Sponsors-$500 and above; Benefactors-$350 to $499; Special Patrons-$200 to $349; Patrons-$100 to $199; Contributors-Up to $99.