Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Selma Choral Society will begin rehearsals for its 68th presentation of “The Messiah.”

The Messiah is an oratorio composed by George Fredric Handel in 1742 and is separated into three different sections.

The first part is set up to be the birth of Christ, and the second is a representation of the passion of Christ.

The final section represents the return and the reign of Christ.

This year, the choral society will be performing the third section, along with three other musical pieces to include Gloria by Vivaldi, Christmas Oratorio by Saint-Saëns and Christmas Oratorio by Bach.

“It’s always enjoyable to get together with people who enjoy doing good music,” said Gery Anderson, president of the choral society. “Some of it’s pretty challenging, but that’s always a fun thing is to [learn music] that’s a little more challenging than you may ordinarily be doing in your churches or your school choir and just push yourself.”

Anderson said the annual performance is an opportunity for members of the community to come together to rehearse and perform music that has been around for ages.

“It’s just a mixed group of people. We have high school aged people to people up in their high 70s. It’s people from all different social strata,” Anderson said.

“I think it’s great. It just really goes to show you that good classical music reaches across all different levels and spectra, and it’s always nice to see young people that are involved.”

Anderson said Sara Cater, organist, and Gordon Welch, choral director, will also be participating in the production.

“It’s a community wide [event],” Anderson said. “It’s just a group of people who enjoy singing classical and baroque music.”

Anderson said that anyone, no matter their skill level, who wants to participate is welcome and can attend the first rehearsal Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Rehearsals will continue each Tuesday at the same time and location until the performance on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at Cornerstone.