Canterbury Voices Revives a Beloved Holiday Tradition with Handel’s Messiah at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center

Oklahoma City — The grandeur and spirit of the festive season will take centre stage next month as Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma’s renowned symphony chorus, presents George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at the Civic Center Music Hall. The performance, scheduled for Sunday, 7 December at 7:00 PM, marks the return of a cherished holiday tradition that has long been part of Oklahoma City’s cultural calendar.

The award-winning chorus, celebrated for its scale and precision, will bring together more than 160 voices in collaboration with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Together, they aim to deliver an evening of musical splendour that blends historical artistry with community celebration. The performance promises to fill the Civic Center with the soaring choruses and emotional depth that have made Messiah one of the most enduring works in classical repertoire.

The Artistic Vision Behind the Performance

“Handel’s Messiah endures because it captures something timeless — the grandeur of its choruses, the brilliance of its orchestration, and the deep emotional weight that moves audiences generation after generation. Few works in the choral repertoire connect so powerfully to both the human spirit and the divine,” says Canterbury Artistic Director Dr. Julie Yu. “Handel composed this masterpiece in about three weeks in 1741—an incredible feat of brilliance and creativity.”

First performed in Dublin in 1742, Handel’s Messiah remains one of the most performed and beloved oratorios in Western music. Its rich combination of vocal artistry and orchestral craftsmanship has made it a staple of Christmas concert seasons across the world. In Oklahoma City, Canterbury Voices has made the piece its own, performing it regularly since its founding year in 1969.

A Distinguished Ensemble of Soloists

This year’s concert will feature four distinguished soloists, each recognised for their vocal excellence and contribution to the regional music scene. The line-up includes:

• Soprano: Dr. Nicole Van Every from Norman, Oklahoma

• Tenor: Dr. Justin Kroll, Professor of Music at Northeastern State University

• Mezzo-Soprano: Erin Roth Thomas from Dallas

• Bass: Dr. David Grogan from the University of Texas at Arlington

Under Dr. Yu’s direction, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will provide the orchestral foundation, enriching the work with “texture, energy, and emotional depth” that captures the range of Handel’s composition — from the quiet tenderness of the Nativity to the triumphant exuberance of the famed “Hallelujah Chorus.”

A Cherished Community Tradition

For many in the community, Canterbury’s biennial presentation of Messiah is more than a concert; it is a moment of collective celebration. Audiences are invited to join in the final chorus, creating a powerful shared experience that echoes through the hall.

“Canterbury performs Messiah every other year, and it’s always a highlight,” says Executive Director Pam Mowry. “Our community especially loves the thrill of singing along with the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ at the end — it’s pure joy. Canterbury first performed Messiah in our very first season in 1969, and we continue to bring fresh, inspired interpretations to this beloved work. It’s going to be something truly special.”

Cultural and Economic Significance

The event underscores the continuing vitality of live performance in Oklahoma City’s cultural scene, which has rebounded strongly in recent years. For Canterbury Voices, this presentation is both a nod to its historic roots and a reaffirmation of its role as a pillar of artistic life in the state.

In keeping with the chorus’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement, tickets are expected to attract both long-time patrons and new audiences drawn by the work’s timeless appeal. As the holiday season approaches, the performance stands as an emblem of artistic excellence and seasonal celebration — a reminder of how music can unite communities through shared beauty and tradition.

A Lasting Legacy

With its combination of vocal mastery, orchestral brilliance, and emotional resonance, Messiah continues to embody the essence of Handel’s genius. Under Dr. Yu’s baton and with the support of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Canterbury Voices’ 2025 performance looks set to reaffirm why this centuries-old oratorio remains one of the most powerful expressions of joy and faith in the classical canon.

Tickets and additional information are available through the Civic Center Music Hall box office and Canterbury Voices’ official website.