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Sam Hagan: the voice of the ‘Messiah’

Sam Hagan, a retired biology teacher and a dedicated home improver, built a second career as a vocalist. Here he glances at a piece of music he will sing in the 40th annual “Messiah” presented at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
Sam Hagan, a retired biology teacher and a dedicated home improver, built a second career as a vocalist. Here he glances at a piece of music he will sing in the 40th annual “Messiah” presented at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
By Bo Emerson
Nov 25, 2015

Sam Hagan has built most of his East Lake house with his own hands, 20,000 bricks, one at a time.

The retired biology teacher has also built a second career as a classical vocalist, and has fans who wait each year to hear him sing the first words of the “Messiah.”

For 40 winters his thrilling tenor has ushered in the holiday season, with the words “ev’ry valley shall be exalted.” Hagan’s own life reflects those lines from Isaiah. He has been lifted from humble beginnings to become a fixture in Atlanta’s music community.

In myAJC.com see the story behind the man who, for many Atlantans, is the voice of Handel's "Messiah."

About the Author

Bo Emerson is an Atlanta native and a long-time AJC feature and news writer.

Follow Bo Emerson on twitter
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