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

Jennifer "Jenny" Levison, left, and Mitchell Anderson reviewing the script for "Love Letters." (Photo by Courtenay Collins)

Credit: (Photo by Courtenay Collins)

Mitchell Anderson, Jenny Levison share ‘Love Letters’ to food, art, each other

Mitchell Anderson and Jennifer Levison write "Love Letters" to food, art and each other in drama at Synchronicity Theatre.

Review: Elizabeth Lide at whitespace opens a rich, singular attic of the mind

“Oddments of the Lean State,” Elizabeth Lide’s site-specific, full-gallery installation on view at whitespace through April 19, is as rich and singular as its title.

Pollinator Art Space at Goat Farm: small space for big ideas

Located at the Goat Farm, Pollinator Art Space is a home for Atlanta artists to show new work that is either installation or experimentation focused.

The Latest

“Oddments of the Lean State,” Elizabeth Lide’s site-specific, full-gallery installation, is on view at whitespace gallery in Atlanta through April 19. (Courtesy of Whitespace)

Credit: (Courtesy of Whitespace)

Review: Elizabeth Lide at whitespace opens a rich, singular attic of the mind

Mitchell Anderson, Jenny Levison share ‘Love Letters’ to food, art, each other

It’s panda-monium: Atlantans form 50,000-person queue for tickets to Panda Fest

Featured

People join a rally in support for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees on Tuesday afternoon, April 1, 2025, at the Atlanta headquarters after federal cuts triggered significant layoffs. (Photo: Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

Mass layoffs underway at Atlanta-based CDC

Public health experts say the CDC cuts could represent generational damage to health research and the elimination of infectious diseases.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank discusses his hourlong phone call with Kirk Cousins

“I had a long and impactful conversation with him,” the Atlanta Falcons owner said at the NFL annual meeting on Tuesday.

Atlanta rapper Young Scooter died after cutting leg on wood fence, medical examiner says

New details still have investigators asking questions about the death of the rapper, who police say died after falling while running from officers responding to a 911 call.