The first rehearsal for the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus’ 73rd performance of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today on the second floor of McNeese State University’s Shearman Fine Arts building.

Additional rehearsals are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 19 and Dec. 2 and 7.

The performance will take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at the university’s Francis G. Bulber Auditorium. The show is free to attend.

Patricia Bulber is one of the event’s organizers and has performed with Messiah since 1954. Before the performance, she said McNeese President Philip Williams will show a video celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary.

Bulber said the Messiah performance took place the first year McNeese was open. Since then, it has become a staple for the university.

McNeese students will be the featured soloists during the performance. The soloists are selected by Carol Lines, a McNeese vocal professor. Bulber said using McNeese students during last year’s show was “a big hit.”

“It gives the students an opportunity to do something on a grand scale,” Bulber said. “If they were in a bigger school, they may not get this opportunity.”

Last year, Bulber said that 106 people were registered to sing in the choir, and another 20 showed up who sang at earlier performances.

Those wanting to donate to the performance can send a check made payable to the McNeese Foundation. Bulber said the check should include the word Messiah in the memo.

For more information, call Bulber at 477-0662.

The 71st performance of George Frideric Handel’s ”Messiah” will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in F.G. Bulber Auditorium on the McNeese State University campus. (American Press Archives)