Lawton’s Oldest Christmas Tradition Will Take Place This Weekend

One of Lawton's oldest Christmas tradition is the annual performance of Handel's "Messiah." This year's performance will mark 84 years since the concert has been performed in Lawton!

This year's performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13 in the Lawton High School Auditorium. The concert is a one-hour performance of selections from Handel's "Messiah," which tells the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The first performance of Handel's 'Messiah' in Lawton was in 1941.

It's amazing that the performance of Handel's "Messiah" has been going on for 84 years in Lawton! The first performance was done by the Lawton Schubert Music Club in 1941.

This year, the Lawton Schubert Music Club and the Cameron University/Lawton Civic Choir will carry on the tradition with 80 singers. Each singer represents of 30 different church congregations. The performance will also feature a live orchestra.

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The performance of Handel's 'Messiah' will feature local soloists.

Among the chorus filled with local voices, will also be local soloists. This year's soloists include Alyson Hays Bishop, Kirk Prucha, Khalil Cabrera-Tosado, Tia Johnson and Thea Mills. Handel's "Messiah" is directed by Doris Lambert, who is adjunct instructor at Cameron University and the director of choral music at New Post Chapel.

Handel's 'Messiah' tells the story of Jesus Christ.

George F. Handel's "Messiah" was first performed in 1742 and was composed for orchestra, chorus and soloists. It is based on biblical text by Charles Jennens and tells the story of Jesus Christ, from prophecy, life, death and to resurrection.

The Handel's "Messiah" performance in Lawton will feature selections from each of the three portions in the complete work for a one-hour performance. The performance in Lawton is free and open to the public.