(SPS) -- Sapulpa High School's Blue Blazed Marvels and choir alumni gathered together Tuesday night to perform George Frederic Handel's "Messiah" for the 60th year.
In 1962, Sapulpa High School choir director VeDon Law began a Christmas tradition for his students. They performed the beautiful Christmas oratorio, "Messiah," for the Sapulpa community at a local church.
Law led the choir department for 20 years, and the choir room at Sapulpa High School now bears his name. In 1981, choir director Mark Sumner added a new layer to the Christmas tradition, inviting choir alumni to perform "Messiah" alongside choir students.
Each year, Sapulpa's Blue Blazed Marvels advanced mixed choir dons their blue blazers to sing with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors. Now led by choir director Gina Myers and organ accompanist Bruce Wilkin, as well as pianist Suzanne Law (VeDon Law's wife), this year's performance took place Tuesday, December 13 at First United Methodist Church in Sapulpa.
"This is a great holiday tradition because it involves former students, giving them a chance to rejoin the choir they loved being a part of in high school," said Wilkin. "It always amazes them how they still remember the score so well."
This 60th anniversary performance was made even more special. The Sapulpa community debuted the Route 66 Christmas Chute this holiday season along Dewey. People from across the nation -- even the world -- have come to Sapulpa to enjoy the festive display and get into the Christmas spirit.
Thank you to our choir students, alumni and directors for bringing holiday joy to the community for so many years!
2022 "Messiah" Performance: