Cumberland Choral Arts and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra are set to perform “Messiah” on Dec. 10 at Berean Baptist Church. “Messiah” is George Frideric Handel’s classical piece famous for its “Hallelujah” chorus.

According to Dr. Michael Martin, artistic director of the CCA, it is broken up into three parts: the coming of Jesus, the passion story, and the death and resurrection. Typically at Christmas, people perform the first part because it is about the birth of Jesus. However, while popular around Christmas, the chorus “Hallelujah” is not from the first part. It is borrowed from the second part of the work.

He said a lot of the singers return to the show every year and a large core of the choir knows the material, but newcomers learn it a little bit faster because of this.

“I think everybody in Fayetteville has things they love to do that kick off their season. I’m also the Director of Choral Activities at Methodist University,” Martin said. “We do a Yuletide Feaste madrigal dinner every year. Some people come to that and attend ‘Messiah’ to start their holiday seasons. I’m thrilled to be associated with people’s holiday plans.”

Martin said locals say this show gets them in the holiday mood. He thinks it is because there is a magical component to hearing a live chorus and symphony orchestra that enhances the start of the holiday season, instead of hearing just recordings.

“We’re pretty lucky in Fayetteville to have a full symphony orchestra and have a symphonic choir like the Cumberland Choral Arts,” Martin said. “I’m thrilled these organizations are willing to give this gift to the citizens of Fayetteville so that we can be a community at Christmastime.”

He said that once a performer has been in a choral organization that sings “Messiah,” performers typically don’t forget it. Each year they do set aside a place in the audience for those in attendance who would like to sing with the choir. People usually inform Martin they will do this in advance.

“It is something we got away from doing. But if we have interested people, we try to accommodate them,” he said.

Some attendees wear Victorian attire to the show, Martin said, but the choir wears attire for a formal concert.

One of their members is Brenda Vandervort- Miller. She is the Mezzo Soprano for this year. Originally from Newburgh, New York, she went to Methodist University from 1995-2000. The choral director of the school at the time, Alan Porter, was the founder of the organization and named them Cumberland Oratorio Singers. As a music student, she went to their concerts as part of their curriculum. After graduation, she left Fayetteville. Eight years later she came back and saw the organization was thriving and learned it was not too late to join. Vandervort-Miller has now been with the group for 13 years.

“Messiah for me is tradition,” she said. “I have been performing ‘Messiah’ for about 22 years as a soloist and choir member. Christmas season is not complete without it.”

She added, “Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is co-sponsoring this event and it has been really nice to join forces.”

The show is Dec. 10 at Berean Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. The address is 517 Glensford Drive.