The Rome Symphony Orchestra will once again join with the Shorter Chorale and Shorter Chorus to present a Christmas Concert on Dec. 5.

Performances will include portions of Handel’s “Messiah” as well Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Vaughan Williams’ “Greensleeves.”

Barbara Beninato, president of the RSO, said the first half of the concert will feature the orchestra performing Corelli, Williams and a Sonata for trumpet by Purcell.

“The second half will be the orchestra with the chorale and chorus,” she said. “This should be a highlight of the show. A lot of people come to hear the beautiful Christmas music and it’s unusual in this town for Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to be performed with an orchestra.”

Beninato said the combination of chorus and orchestra is the way Handel designed the popular piece.

“It really enhances the whole performance when you do it the way Handel designed it,” she said.

The concert takes place Dec. 5 at the Rome City Auditorium located at 601 Broad St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

Advance Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior adults and $3 for students and are available at Merry Bee Gallery, The Music Room, Kroger, Rome Area Council for the Arts, The Rome Visitor Center, World Hi-Fi, the Shorter College box office (706-233-7288) and the RSO business office (706-291-7967).

Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the concert.

At-door tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior adults and $6 for students.