HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Professional singer/songwriter Elizabeth Montgomery will add her internationally recognized soprano voice to Grove’s community-wide presentation of Handel’s “Messiah,” set for 4 p.m., Sunday, November 17, at the Grove First Baptist Church, 501 E. 13th Street.

Montgomery also applies her extensive musical experience and knowledge as artistic director of the production.  Nearly 60 people are performing in the English-language oratorio, including choirs from local churches and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, professional and local soloists, a string quartet from Tulsa’s Signature Symphony, and keyboard players from Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The performance is free and open to the public, with donations welcome.  Support was received from the Oklahoma Arts Council, Grove Ministerial Alliance, Grand Area Creative Alliance, Elizabeth Montgomery Music, LLC, and the Jack and Nancy Adkisson Family.

“I’m delighted to be part of this exciting event for the Grand Lake community,” Montgomery said.  “It’s truly an honor to participate in this masterful work and to collaborate with such a talented group of musicians and production team in Grove.”

Montgomery said she feels Handel was divinely inspired, writing “Messiah” in just a few short weeks.

“When I listen to the choir and participate as a soloist, I’m captivated by the musical depth of this score and the beauty of each piece,” she said.  “I am thrilled to share this concert and invite the community to experience this timeless story of redemption for humanity.”

Montgomery said she thinks the performers in the production will be uplifted by the opportunity to interpret Handel’s masterpiece.  “I believe the singers and musicians will feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment when performing the virtuosic runs and trills characteristic of the Baroque era.”

Judi Barber, project director of the production, said the event is made possible with the participation and support of professional performers, local church choirs, the NEO A&M choir, area instrumentalists, and the First Baptist Church’s staff.  She said the church’s music director Matt Neighbors has played a key role in organizing and leading rehearsals.

“In addition, we are deeply grateful for the support of our sponsors,” Barber said.  “They understand the importance of making creative events available for all communities and they stepped up to help us offer the magnificent ‘Messiah.’”  She serves as president of the Creative Alliance, an organization dedicated to enriching the cultural offerings in the Grand Lake area.

Elizabeth Montgomery, a Tulsa native raised in Vinita, has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Taiwan.  Some career highlights include being selected to sing the national anthem for the Denver Broncos and performing for the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma Thunder, the Southern Baptist Pastor Leadership Conference, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and the world-famous Blue Bird Café in Nashville, performing original songs.

In 2024 alone, Montgomery has performed in more than 20 venues, from Oklahoma to Tennessee to Colorado to Kansas and beyond.

George Frideric Handel wrote “Messiah” in 1741 and the three-part oratorio has become one on the most celebrated works of classical music.  It has been described as “a commentary on Jesus Christ’s nativity, passion, resurrection and ascension.”  The “Hallelujah Chorus” remains one of the most recognized parts of the piece.

For more information, contact [email protected].