One of Clinton’s longest-running Christmas traditions is here again – rehearsals are starting for Clinton’s annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Messiah.”

Community members are invited to join with RiverChor to make up the choir which will be accompanied this year by an orchestra.  Director Karl Wolf notes, “The last full performance of “Messiah” in Clinton was 2018, so we’d like to get an early start and blow the cobwebs off the movements we only perform in year three of the cycle.”

Rehearsals begin October 23 in the Great Hall of First Presbyterian Church, 400 Fifth Ave. South, the entrance is from the parking lot in the back of the church. Scores will be available to borrow for those who need them; singers who have their own scores are invited to use them. The rehearsals on October 23 and 30 will be from 7pm to 8pm.  No rehearsal will be held November 6 as RiverChor prepares for their fall concert.  Messiah rehearsals will resume November 13, from 7-9pm, and continue each subsequent Monday until the free concert scheduled for Sunday, December 17, at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton.

Since the first performance in 1931, there have been only three years when an annual ‘Messiah’ performance didn’t take place. Beginning in the early ‘90s a three-year cycle was established where the first year is a sing-along held at a Clinton church; the second year is Part I and selections from Part II with piano, this year is the third year of our cycle, which means we perform virtually the whole work with orchestra. It’s an incredible tradition that has featured thousands of singers giving of their time and talent to present this wonderful gift to the Clinton community.