Long Bay Symphony and the 110-voices of the Sea Notes Choral Society of Southport, N.C., will come together to present Handel's "Messiah" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Wheelwright Auditorium at Coastal Carolina University.

Renowned opera singer Tom Fox will be a featured soloist, singing bass for the melodic telling of the birth, passion and triumph of Jesus Christ. "Messiah," long a holiday favorite, was composed in just three weeks by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed April 13, 1742, in Dublin.

Fox, a baritone who has performed extensively with many of the world's leading opera houses, lives in Pawleys Island; this is his second appearance at Coastal this fall.

Other featured soloists for the performance are: Patti Edwards, director of Coastal's concert choir, singing soprano; Susan Clark, singing alto; and Olindo Marseglia, a CCU alumnus, on tenor. Charles Evans, artist in residence at Coastal, is director of the symphony.

The performance at Coastal will be the final concert of the holiday season. The symphony is also performing "Messiah" Dec. 12 in Odell Williamson Auditorium in Brunswick, N.C., and Dec. 13 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach.

Admission is $20 adults, $15 seniors, $5 students ages 18 and younger; seating is general. Tickets for the Coastal performance are available at Wheelwright Box Office; call 349-2502.