On Sunday, March 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday), the Meistersingers of Mississippi Chorus will present Parts II and III of Messiah by George Frideric Handel at 3:00 p.m.
at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online or at the door at www.meistersingersofms.com/events.
One of the most recognizable and frequently performed works in Western choral music, “Messiah” draws its text entirely from Scripture, tracing the prophecy, passion, resurrection, and redemptive promise of Jesus Christ. Parts II and III—often called the “Easter portion”—include some of the oratorio’s most dramatic and beloved movements, including the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus” and concluding with proclamations of resurrection, hope, and eternal life. First premiered in Dublin in 1742, Messiah has been performed continuously for more than 280 years and is widely regarded as the most performed piece of music in history.
Dr. Joel Dunlap, Director of the Meistersingers noted, “This is an extraordinary chance to experience “Messiah” not just as Christmas music, but as the dramatic journey Handel intended—charting Christ’s life, death, and triumphant resurrection.”
Soloists for the performance include Mississippi native Dr. Meredith Melvin Johnson, Assistant Professor of Voice at The University of Southern Mississippi; mezzo-soprano Myka Murphy, praised by OperaWire as a “vocal powerhouse”; tenor Derek Meler, heard with major opera and symphony organizations nationwide; and bass-baritone Dr. Paul Houghtaling, Director of Opera at the University of Alabama, whose career includes appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. The performance will be conducted by Dr. Jay Dean. Dr. Joel Dunlap serves as Artistic Director of the Meistersingers of Mississippi.
This Palm Sunday performance offers audiences a meaningful opportunity to experience one of Western music’s most timeless sacred masterpieces.
