Anyone wishing to grab a seat in the pews at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday night had better arrive early. The performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” an annual Macon tradition, often results in standing-room only crowds.

Presented by the Chorale Society of Middle Georgia and the Mercer University Choir, the concert offers the community a chance to experience some of the most famous music of the holiday season.

“We are very excited to once again present Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to the community,” said David Keith, interim dean of Mercer’s Townsend School of Music and conductor for this performance. “ ‘Messiah’ is Handel’s most performed choral-orchestral work and has been performed with small and large forces. Our performance will be with a little larger chorus than for which Handel wrote, but we will be stylistically authentic.”

Soloists for the performance include Julia Foster, soprano; Mary Beth Kosowski, alto; Richard Kosowski, tenor; and Wesley Moore, bass.

-- Staff reports

Handel’s “Messiah”

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St.

Cost: $15 adults; $10 students, seniors and military

Information: 747-6684