Year after year, the sounds of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" announce the news the holidays are finally here.

And MSU's one and only chance to catch Handel's "Messiah" on campus this year will be 8 p.m. Saturday in Wharton Center's Great Hall. Next week, the University Chorale will travel to Detroit to perform "Messiah" with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

"Handel was a master of writing music people found attractive upon the first hearing," David Rayl, MSU's Director of Choral Activities, said.

Saturday's performance will feature a 250-person chorus comprised of Choral Union and University Chorale as well as 28 members of the MSU Chamber Orchestra, a subset of the MSU Symphony Orchestra.

"I think 'Messiah' is my favorite," Mason resident Laura Holen said, weighing her options for Christmas entertainment. "I'm planning on seeing it."

Cut from three hours to an hour and a half of music, "Messiah" gives audiences everything from passionate arias to lively recitatives.

The night's four soloists will be soprano Melanie Helton, mezzo-soprano Jessye Wright, tenor Robert Bracey and bass-baritone Kenneth Shaw.

"I think it's wonderfully varied and interesting music," Rayl said. "It was one of my very earliest choral experiences."

Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for students.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Wharton Center Box Office at (517)432-2000.