To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Spoon River College Community Chorus presents the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah & Winter Olio concert on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the First Christian Church in Canton. Anyone with a love for singing and philanthropy is invited to participate. No auditions are required.
“The SRC Community Chorus formed in 2005, and the first concert presented was Handel’s Messiah,” Carol Davis, Artistic Director explains. “We invite all our current singers, those who performed in our 2005 or 2012 Messiah concerts, and any newcomers who wish to participate in these special 20th anniversary performances. John L. Davis, who conducted the first two concerts, returns as director for this concert.”
The second half of the concert will be an olio of songs capturing the spirit of the holidays and the times of winter. The chorus will be accompanied by a string quartet, harp, brass, piano, keyboard and other instruments.
Rehearsals generally occur on Thursday evenings, beginning on September 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Canton, 215 W. Elm Street. Singers are asked to purchase the Watkins-Shaw edition of the MESSIAH (SATB) musical score. This is the same version used in 2005 and 2012. Where to purchase the scores and the full Rehearsal/Performance Schedule is available by Emailing here.
Tickets will go on sale mid-October. Proceeds fund Named Endowed Scholarships for SRC students. Please visit SRC Community Chorus for more information.
Photo by Dave Barknecht