Things to Do
Things to Do

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
More Stories

Keep Reading

Sure it's only mid-July, but Escape the Netherworld is hosting five themed escape rooms, including one called Haunted that challenges players to defeat the Night Hag. (Courtesy of Escape the Netherworld)

Credit: Courtesy of Escape the Netherworld

Move over, Christmas in July — Summerween is staging a ghoulish takeover

Event presenters and retailers say summertime is the right time to put jack-o’-lantern smiles on faces of Halloween lovers.

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

From ATL Comic Convention to a "Jukebox Giants" musical review and Pajama Jam at the Children's Museum, here are 15 family-friendly happenings in metro Atlanta this weekend.

The Latest

The idea of a watch company in the Midwest was created by a handful of Chicago businessmen in 1864. A year later, the first Elgin watch was manufactured.

Credit: Bonnie Hanley

Where can I find it: pocket watch repair, porcelain repair

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

Move over, Christmas in July — Summerween is staging a ghoulish takeover

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.