Arlington High School Choral Director Lyle Forde is seeking singers in the community to join a community choir to present Handel’s “Messiah,” this year, the first in the Byrnes Performing Arts Center.

While the BPAC

was open last year, it was not the year for Forde’s alternate-year production.

Rehearsals begin Monday, Nov. 3 and continue Mondays until the concert, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14.

“The Arlington Community Choir forms every other year to present this musical masterpiece,” Forde said. “Now is the time for singers and instrumentalists to begin rehearsals.”

Rehearsals will be held in the Arlington High School choir room, B-113, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday.

“Traditionally this has been a large group of experienced local singers but participation is open to all — truly a community choir,” Forde said.

The choir will be accompanied by a community orchestra, and the concert will also include the high school’s choir groups in the “Messiah” as well as the rest of the program.

“Singing the world’s most well-known piece of choral music, the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ is the most rewarding and thrilling for singers the world over,” Forde said.

For information call Forde at 360-618-6300 ext. 3121 or e-mail to lyle_forde@asd.wednet.edu.

The new AHS is located at 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., south of historical downtown Arlington along SR 9, east of Gleneagle Golf Community and Smokey Point.