Introduction to (DIY) Do-It-Yourself Messiah

Thank you for your interest in joining us for our 2nd annual 
​“Do It Yourself Messiah”.

This iconic classical oratorio, which traces the life of Jesus Christ, has been performed since 1741 when it was premiered in Dublin, Ireland.  Since that time, its popularity has grown to become one of the best known and frequently performed choral works in western music.  

We will be singing the First Part (the Prophetic portion) which highlights the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, the birth of Jesus and concludes with the grand Hallelujah Chorus.

Our conductor is Marissa Simmons, an accomplished composer, vocalist, and conductor. She earned a Master of Music under Catherine Cook at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She received her Bachelor of Music in both Classical Voice Performance and Music Theory and Composition from the University of Miami Frost School of Music with Dr. Esther Jane Hardenbergh and Dr. Lansing McLoskey. At the tender age of 15 she composed and conducted an original orchestral work for a performance in Vienna, Austria. She has built on that success by performing with such prestigious companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Virginia Opera, the Virginia Arts Festival, Des Moines Metro Opera, Music Academy of the West, Charlottesville Opera, Miami Lyric Opera, the Miami Music Festival, the International Vocal Arts Academy, and more. We are delighted to welcome her to our podium for this year's Do It Yourself Messiah.

Our presentation will include professional soloists and our audience - you - on the choral portions. Whether you are a hard core classical music lover, or a “singer in the shower” you will have a joyous time celebrating the coming of our Messiah, Jesus. 

George Frideric Handel 1685-1759