Soprano Doris Pollock lifts up her voice in joy and praise. As a former education and training officer with the U.S. Air Force, her voice has never wavered. She traveled to Libya, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan and Tehran with volunteer military choirs, allowing music to be a constant source of comfort and companionship in her life. 

“I wanted to travel and see the world,” says Pollock, who took part in traditional circle dances in Turkey and enjoyed hearing new instruments in each country. 

When she’s not in the mix of her local and church choirs, she’s providing space for music and organizing events. Pollock served as president of the Tallahassee Symphony Society for two years and joined the Tallahassee Music Guild in the early 2000s.

She’s been involved with organizing TMG’s “Sing-Along Messiah” for 12 years as publicity chair and is looking forward to the upcoming event on Tuesday, Dec. 3. 

Composer George Frideric Handel created the “Messiah” oratio in 1741. Originally performed during Easter, it has become a staple of the Christmas season. It is divided into three parts, with its most iconic section being the “Hallelujah” chorus, which Pollock enjoys hearing sung by attendees. 

“The singing of the ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus tells of the coming of the Lord, which in present day to me means bringing the hope, peace, and joy of Christmas,” says Pollock. “After hearing that chorus sung, I feel as though my Christmas is complete.”   

Pollock secures the venue — which has been the Faith Presbyterian Church for 31 years — and selects the director each year. This year’s music director Lisa M. Foltz will conduct the “Sing-Along Messiah.” Soloists include organists Nathaniel Brown and Adam Ravain, pianists Joanna Sobkowska-Parsons and Olivia Ahyoung, trumpeter Longineu Parsons, and singers Alexandra Halchak, Sean Landeta, and Ed Lyon. 

Pollock is excited that Foltz will have two organists and pianists this year as they are the leaders for the evening and she believes they will add new dimension to the performance. In addition to Handel, Pollock’s favorite composers are Beethoven and Chopin, though she is equally a fan of country greats Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. 

“Country music can be just as spiritual as Handel’s music,” says Pollock. “It is based on the bible so that makes it very special.” 

Pollock’s family made their own music recordings growing up. She recalls hearing her mother and uncle singing folk favorites like “Shrimp Boats Are A-Coming.” Though as a youngster she would have rather played baseball than practice piano, Pollock loved choir and was performing alongside adults by age 12. 

She credits her elementary school music program in Portland, Oregon, for encouraging her love of vocal music. She attended college for elementary education and taught for a short time before joining the Air Force. In Tallahassee, she returned to teaching at Kate Sullivan and Sealey elementary schools and joined the Tallahassee Community Chorus. 

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