The sounds of the holiday season will ring through Huff Concert Hall, 5400 Ramsey St., at Methodist University as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and Cumberland Choral Arts join forces for their annual performance of George Frideric Handel's magnificent oratorio, Messiah.
The highly anticipated performance, a beloved tradition marking the official start of the holiday celebration for many in the region, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
What makes this annual event even more significant is that it will be the final Messiah performance for FSO's long-serving Music Director, Stephan Sanders, who is set to conclude his impactful tenure at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
A Gift to the Community
A remarkable aspect of this grand concert is that admission is free, made possible through the generosity of local donors and grants. Primary financial support comes from the Linda and Ralph Huff Endowment for FSO Handel’s Messiah, an endowment managed by the Cumberland Community Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.
CCA Board of Directors President, Sandy Cage, expressed deep gratitude, stating, “We are so grateful for the generosity that allows us to keep the concert free.”
“This concert is our gift to the community,” explained Thomas Hill, Marketing and Office Manager of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. The FSO, a professional, regional orchestra, adheres to a mission "to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource."
While tickets are still required to ensure an accurate headcount and sufficient seating for the 1,000-seat Huff Concert Hall, the lack of a price tag makes the professional-level performance accessible to the entire community.
A Long-Standing Partnership
The collaboration between the FSO (comprised of about 35 musicians) and the CCA (with at least 100-115 dedicated singers) is a well-established tradition, stretching back to the 1990s. Both organizations have presented Messiah several times over the decades, solidifying their place as cultural pillars in Fayetteville.
For many audience members, the draw of Messiah is immediate and powerful.
“The Hallelujah chorus is what draws most people in,” noted Sandy Cage.
Thomas Hill offered a broader view on the work’s enduring appeal:
“The music is recognizable, and it has a long history of being performed at Christmastime, all the way back to its beginning when Handel composed it. It was conceived as a community-building and charitable event.”
He added that the tradition has spread beyond classical music enthusiasts, with many people associating the oratorio with the coming of the holiday season.
A Farewell and New Voices
This year’s one-hour performance, presented without intermission, will be bittersweet for the FSO as they honor Stephan Sanders. His final Messiah with the orchestra promises to be a memorable event as he leads the combined forces of the orchestra and chorus.
The performance will also feature four talented soloists, including two returning favorites and a new addition. Soprano Caroline Vaughn and fan-favorite bass Ramelle Brooks are returning to the stage, joined by new Mezzo-soprano Sara Roberts and tenor Corey Leak, who regularly sing with the Carolina Opera in Raleigh.
Patrons are encouraged to be seated early, as the Campbellton Youth Chorus, led by Lisa Packer, will perform starting around 7 p.m. It’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy a full evening of music and to hear the next generation of choral artists in our community.
Though admission is free, tickets are required and can be secured through the organizations' websites: fayettevillesymphony.org or cumberlandchoralarts.org.
Don’t miss this chance to experience a powerful community tradition and celebrate the holidays with one of music’s most beloved masterpieces.

(Photo: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and Cumberland Choral Arts perform Messiah. Messiah is a Fayetteville tradition that goes back to the 1990s, and is a beloved part of the community's Christmas festivities. Photo courtesy of Thomas Hill)