LA GRANDE — A musical rite of the Christmas season is regaining its voice.

The Christmas classic Handel’s “Messiah” is set to be performed in La Grande High School’s auditorium at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

The performance will mark both a celebration and a resurrection because Handel’s “Messiah” has not been performed in La Grande since 2019. The production was discontinued in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will again be staged by the informally named La Grande Messiah Community Choir, which staged the performance many times between 1985 through 2019.

Donovan Durfee, a member of the production’s choir, is excited about the opportunity to help reignite the “Messiah” tradition in La Grande.

“I am so happy to be able to help bring it back. I want to help keep its legacy alive,” said Durfee, an alto who has a part as a soloist and is being joined in the choir by his sisters Jessica Durfee, Olivia Durfee and Eliza Durfee.

Russ Carpenter, who grew up in La Grande, will direct the production. He graduated from La Grande High School and earned a bachelor’s from the University of Oregon school of music. Carpenter taught music, drama, math and English for 40 years in the Adrian, Nyssa, Myrtle Point and Baker school districts.

Carpenter now lives in Baker City where he conducts the Baker Community Band. He has conducted the Grande Ronde Community Band since 2022.

“He is very good and makes it fun. He knows what he wants done and brings out the best in us,” said Marie Rampton, a member of the choir along with her husband, Wes Rampton, her daughter, Jeannette Smith, and her husband, Brent Smith.

The music for “The Messiah” was composed by George Frideric Handel of England in 1741. Handel composed the legendary 252-page work, which has 53 movements, in just 24 days. Carpenter said that to complete a piece with the length and quality of “The Messiah” so quickly was miraculous.

“It was basically a miracle. Miracles are attractive,” Carpenter said.

The work, which tells the story of Jesus’ life, is filled with long phrases. This puts a lot of stress on vocalists performing solos because they often must sing multiple measures on a single breath. Carpenter explained that those singing within the body of the choir can easily take extra breaths without being noticed but soloists do not have this luxury.

Lily Kellogg, who is among 10 choir members who will sing at least one solo, is not worried.

“I am pretty good at sneaking in second breaths,” Kellogg said.

Soprano Julie Carpenter, who also has a solo part, said she is inspired to elevate her volume while singing because of the quality of the music Handel’s “Messiah” offers.

“I want everyone to be able to enjoy it because it is so beautiful,” Carpenter said.

Jeannette Smith, also a soprano, echoes this sentiment, noting that she is so excited about conveying the wonder and richness of the music that she has to be careful not to sing too loudly while performing it.

Marie Rampton, also a member of the choir, said many people enjoy “Messiah” because its music offers an opportunity to express their love of Jesus.

“It provides us a chance to praise our savior. We want to pay tribute and honor him,” Rampton said.

She said the music also does something else.

“It brings Christmas and Christ right to the front of our hearts,” Rampton said.