Local singers are being sought to help the Limestone College chorus perform Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in Fullerton Auditorium.

The choral performance will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra. The German composer combined Biblical text with chorus and solo works into a large choral piece covering prophesy (“Every Valley Shall Be Exalted”), the joy of Christ’s birth (“For Unto Us a Child is Born”), sorrow (“Behold the Lamb of God”), and Christ coming back to life (“Hallelujah.”)

“Messiah” has become a Christmas tradition in the 250 years since the work was composed by Handel. The college is inviting community members to participate in the Hallelujah chorus.

“We are excited we’re doing this with a chamber orchestra,” Limestone College choral director Dr. Gena Poovey said. “We would like to include anyone from the community who has sung Handel’s Messiah before when we sing the Hallelujah chorus at the concert.”

Community members interested in participating should attend the dress rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at Fullerton Auditorium.

“Community members should bring their own sheet music because we have a very limited number of copies,” Poovey said.

Limestone College music professor Dr. David Thompson will accompany the chorus on the college’s recently renovated Aeolian-Skinner organ. Built in Boston by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ company, Limestone has one of only 1,700 organs built by the company.