1. Listen to some of the different sections of the Messiah http://www.messiah.com/Listen/listen.html

2. Find the sources of some of the words used in the Messiah.

eg Isaiah chapter 9, verses 2 and 6:
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

or Luke chapter 2, verses 8 - 14

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. ...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

3. Ask your teachers, older relatives or friends whether they have ever sung with a choir in the Messiah. Ask them if they have kept the programme and try to gather material for a display at the school.

4. Find out which episodes from the Hebrew scriptures have been used for oratorios. Are there other narratives in the Bible, or in other scriptures, that might form the basis of an oratorio? Or perhaps a modern musical like ‘Joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat’? Can you find some words that would be the basis of a solo or a chorus?

5. Find out whether there are any events in your own area that are being put on to raise money for a children’s charity. If there are, collect posters or newspaper advertisements to make a display at school.

6. Design a building where orphaned children could be looked after. Think carefully where you would like to site it, what ages of children it should accommodate and what sorts of rooms it would need.

7. Imagine that you were one of the people who went to that performance of the Messiah at the Coram Hospital in 1750. Write a letter to a friend telling her or him what you saw, what you heard and how you felt.