What would the holiday season be without watching “Miracle on 34th Street” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” or taking in a performance of “Messiah”?

You can rent the videos or DVDs for the holiday movies; Rio Ranchoans need only drive to the Performing Arts Center Saturday to complete the trilogy.

RRHS’s orchestra and choir programs have been hard at work during the early hours this month, preparing for the presentation of “Messiah” at the PAC. The concert will be presented Saturday (Dec. 15) at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $5. Tickets will be available at the door before the concert.

This offering of Handel’s “Messiah” is the fourth in a series of collaborations between the choral and orchestra programs at the high school. Directors Eric Walters and Lee Ann Gibson believe this to be one of the most valuable experiences in the life of both programs.

“It’s a pleasure to expose these kids to some of the most historically important literature, but even better to be able to share cross-curricularly with other music programs at our school,” Walters, the orchestra director, said. “It’s very valuable and broadening for our musicians’ experience.”

“Our programs are very strong, and we are blessed to be able to provide this kind of performance opportunity to our students. It’s rare to have such a high level of skill, especially in a school orchestra. They give us the chance to learn and perform repertoire of this kind. It’s very exciting,” Gibson, the choir director, said.

More than 30 orchestra players and 75 singers, including seven soloists and featured players from the band program, comprise the performing ensemble. Faculty members get the chance to perform as well, with Gibson singing with the choir and trumpet solos by Matt Casarez, RRHS assistant band director.

This unique opportunity does have its moments of sacrifice. All students performing in “Messiah” are rehearsing early in the morning, starting at 6:15 am and concluding with the serving of breakfast burritos at 7:20.

“It’s hard to roll out of bed for school — these morning rehearsals are fun, but too early,” said senior Clorissa McCrea. “It will be worth the hard work, though, when it comes time to perform.”

The 57-voice concert choir recently performed “Messiah” with a combined mass choir at First United Methodist Church, under the direction of retired University of New Mexico choral director John Clark. “It was such an amazing event. I tell my students they will remember those performances for a lifetime,” Gibson said.

According to Wikipedia, “Messiah” is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel based on a libretto by Charles Jennens. Composed in the summer of 1741, it was first performed in Dublin in the summer of 1742.