The North Fork Community Chorus and Orchestra will present Handel’s Messiah and other Christmas selections at two locations — Eckert Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and North Fork Baptist Church in Paonia at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

Eckert Presbyterian is located on Hwy. 65 across from the Big E Market and North Fork Baptist is on Hwy. 133 across from Paonia Stop ‘n Save.

The group has traditionally performed the Christmas portion of the Messiah in odd-numbered years since 2001. Conducting duties will be shared by Vern Davis, Gretchen Nicholoff, Dale Soucek and Jan Tuin. Soloists will be Vern Davis, Robin Nicholoff, Colleen Thliveris, Ed Horton, Barb Soucek, Sarah Bishop, Diane McCulley and Dee Holt. Two boy sopranos, Derek Holt and Samuel Stech, will make a special appearance.

Handel’s Messiah was first performed in 1742 in Dublin, Ireland, as a benefit for an orphanage. Orphanages were the needy institutions of that day, as food banks are the pressing need in these times. Since the music and other expenses are donated, and all other musicians, vocal and instrumental, have given freely of their time and talents, 100 percent of your donations go to the local food banks. A cash donation is your ticket to the concert.

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