The adult choir of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Wichita will perform selections from the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. The event will take place at the church and is open to the public free of charge.

Music Director Rachel Dugan said that the idea to tackle Messiah began after Pastor Fr. Jason Borkenhagen heard the choir sing the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Dugan recalled, “He was floored.” After witnessing their performance, Fr. Borkenhagen suggested that the choir could take on more from Handel’s work. Dugan initially doubted whether it would be possible but later decided to proceed after consulting with organist Patrick Harms.

Dugan described the challenge of performing Messiah, noting its musical complexity and variety. She said, “It’s a little outside of our wheelhouse, but the music is so fantastic, fun, and beautiful, and it changes colors so many times in those 55 minutes that it has been really satisfying to dive into.”

She added that her confidence grew because of the choir’s experience with polyphony singing: “Our singers are prepared for this kind of difficulty,” she said. “It’s another level for me to conduct soloists and an orchestra.”

Organist Patrick Harms will play a key role by adapting his usual style to cover parts typically performed by brass and woodwind instruments. Dugan explained, “Our organist essentially will be the brass and woodwind section,” adding that he will need to count rests and adjust stops for different sounds.

The concert will feature solos by Dugan herself along with Christine Umbehr, Keri Bye, Megan Swaim, and Dan Fortino. A local string ensemble led by concertmaster Lisa Aniserowicz will accompany Harms’ organ playing. There is also a possibility that both Fr. Borkenhagen and associate pastor Fr. Joseph Mick may join as singers.

Dugan emphasized how rewarding it has been to prepare for this performance despite budget limitations: “Our singers have been so willing to do this despite our lack of budget,” she said. “It is not just about the beauty of the text regarding the birth of Christ, but how Handel marries the text to his gorgeous melodies and harmonies. It just really digs into your spirit.”

She noted that musicians throughout the Diocese of Wichita recognize Blessed Sacrament’s high musical standards: “The parish is very aware of the importance of liturgical music, and our musicians are good stewards of their gifts,” she said.

Dugan highlighted her choir members’ openness to learning: “All of our musicians, cantors, and choir members are very receptive to instruction,” she said. She explained that while some soloists have college training in music and others do not, all have worked together seriously in preparation for these demanding pieces.