EAC to present its 86th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah

EAC Photo: Eastern Arizona College’s Fine Arts Division presents the 86th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., in the EAC Fine Arts Auditorium.

By Briarley Crandall/EAC

THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College’s Fine Arts Division presents the 86th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the EAC Fine Arts Auditorium. Community and college singers will combine with the EAC Orchestra to continue the longest continual Messiah performance tradition west of the Mississippi River.

The tradition began on Dec. 18, 1936, when EAC’s Choir director, Ben S. Johnson, presented Handel’s Messiah with a choir of 65 college students and 35 community members. Through the years the College has added strings and other instruments.

Messiah, with its majestic biblical text, magnified by Handel’s score, recounts the drama of the birth, life, and mission of a boy born as King of Kings and Prince of Peace. This story lies at the heart of this continuing Gila Valley Christmas tradition.

Handel’s Messiah will be presented free of charge.