Welcome!
This site is dedicated to the continuance of the annual performance of George Frideric Handel's Messiah Oratorio by the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra.
This site is dedicated to the continuance of the annual performance of George Frideric Handel's Messiah Oratorio by the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra.
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Thank You once again to our SWLA family for your ongoing support.
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Please join us for our 84th Annual Performance
scheduled on SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2025 @ 3 p.m.
in F.G. Bulber Auditorium on the McNeese State University Campus.
We look forward to celebrating the start of the Holiday Season with you!
~*~
Thank You once again to our SWLA family for your ongoing support.
~*~
Please join us for our 84th Annual Performance
scheduled on SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2025 @ 3 p.m.
in F.G. Bulber Auditorium on the McNeese State University Campus.
We look forward to celebrating the start of the Holiday Season with you!
~*~
In Loving Memory of our beloved matriarch, the help meet of our founder, mother, educator, artist, friend who dedicated over 7 decades to keeping the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus alive.
Monday, 16 December 2024
Mary Patricia Cavell Bulber has joined her voice to the eternal chorus of Hallelujah...
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From East to West: My Journey A Memoir
Monday, 16 December 2024
Mary Patricia Cavell Bulber has joined her voice to the eternal chorus of Hallelujah...
~*~
From East to West: My Journey A Memoir
Meet us on Facebook
Check out the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus on Facebook for the latest news and information. |
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2025 First Rehearsal 04 NOV 2025 SFA Annex Rm 207 @ 6:30 pm ~*~ |
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The Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra:
Founded by Dr. Francis G. Bulber at then John McNeese Junior College in 1940, the annual performance of Handel's Messiah has been a holiday tradition marking the start of the Christmas season in the Lake area on the first Sunday of December for 77 years. In 2005, hurricane Rita devastated south west Louisiana. The McNeese main auditorium, which had been renamed in honor of Dr. Bulber, was severely damaged, but the Messiah went on with performances at First Methodist Church of Lake Charles in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in a sing-a-long format. In 2008, the Messiah returned to McNeese State University and F. G. Bulber Auditorium. With the risers having been destroyed in the storm and funds running low, the sing-a-long performance continued through 2010. But, then the unthinkable, not even a hurricane could stop the Messiah but financial difficulties looked to be its demise as there would be no performance in 2011(KPLC Story). The community rallied behind the enduring tradition to see the Messiah tradition resurrected (KPLC Hot Button). The very next year, the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra returned for its 72nd annual performance complete with generously donated new risers , McNeese choral student soloists and the chamber orchestra under the direction of the daughter of the tradition's founder, Colette Bulber Tanner (KPLC Night Cast 2 December 2012 - forward to 5:35). Then 2020 brought the pandemic and two catastrophic hurricanes, Laura and Delta to SWLA, and the Messiah Performance had to once again be cancelled. But, Together in 2021, SWLA STRONG, WE RISE. To all of you in the community who have supported the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus over the decades- Thank You!
Founded by Dr. Francis G. Bulber at then John McNeese Junior College in 1940, the annual performance of Handel's Messiah has been a holiday tradition marking the start of the Christmas season in the Lake area on the first Sunday of December for 77 years. In 2005, hurricane Rita devastated south west Louisiana. The McNeese main auditorium, which had been renamed in honor of Dr. Bulber, was severely damaged, but the Messiah went on with performances at First Methodist Church of Lake Charles in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in a sing-a-long format. In 2008, the Messiah returned to McNeese State University and F. G. Bulber Auditorium. With the risers having been destroyed in the storm and funds running low, the sing-a-long performance continued through 2010. But, then the unthinkable, not even a hurricane could stop the Messiah but financial difficulties looked to be its demise as there would be no performance in 2011(KPLC Story). The community rallied behind the enduring tradition to see the Messiah tradition resurrected (KPLC Hot Button). The very next year, the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra returned for its 72nd annual performance complete with generously donated new risers , McNeese choral student soloists and the chamber orchestra under the direction of the daughter of the tradition's founder, Colette Bulber Tanner (KPLC Night Cast 2 December 2012 - forward to 5:35). Then 2020 brought the pandemic and two catastrophic hurricanes, Laura and Delta to SWLA, and the Messiah Performance had to once again be cancelled. But, Together in 2021, SWLA STRONG, WE RISE. To all of you in the community who have supported the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus over the decades- Thank You!