This year marks 75 years that singers in the Carlisle community have gathered to perform Handel’s Messiah. The free performance takes place Sunday, December 4 at 3 pm at Allison United Methodist Church in Carlisle under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Hauser.  At 2 pm in the sanctuary there will be a showing of a documentary about the history of this long-running traditional event.

Approximately 140 singers from 40 different institutions join each year to perform this free concert. The singers range from high school students in the tenth grade to those in their 80’s and 90’s. Some of the singers have been participating in the event for around fifty years. This year, a professional chamber orchestra has been hired to accompany the choir and soloists. Below you can hear our interview with Dr. Hauser about the history of the event.