A tradition that started in 1956 continues on Sunday with the Warren Civic Chorus performing George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.”

More than 100 performers will take part in the performance at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish. A free will offering will be collected.

Jeff Ward, president of the chorus, joined eight years ago after moving to the area from Ashtabula, where he sang Handel’s oratorio with choirs there.

“I have always been fond of Handel’s work and the story behind it, the fact that he pretty much put his life on hold to come up with the music and put it with the words that were written for the Easter celebration,” he said.

Several of the chorus singers have been participating in the annual performance for 30 or more years, and one, Ruth Parker, has been there since the late ’50s, Ward said.

Sunday’s concert will feature an 84-voice chorus directed by Hae-Jong Lee, director of choral activities at Dana School of Music. The singers will be accompanied by 16 musicians from the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra and organist Da-Eun Choi.

Choi is filling in for longtime organist Kathy Miller, who decided to take a year off, Ward said, and Choi also led rehearsals when Lee had to return to his native Korea due to the death of his mother.

“This is her first year as our accompanist, and she’s doing a fantastic job,” Ward said.

Featured soloists for Sunday’s concert are Max Pivik, baritone; the Rev. Daniel Doty, tenor; Brianne Samson, soprano; and Erika Walker, alto.

If you go …

WHAT: Warren Civic Chorus — Handel’s “Messiah”

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren

HOW MUCH: A free will offering will be collected.