Sound choices for holiday concerts
Fans of classical and traditional Christmas music have many opportunities to enjoy the music of the season during the next two weeks. Here are some of the possibilities: Holiday Pops Spectacular, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4. The Milwaukee Symphony wraps up its seasonal pops weekend with a concert featuring popular guest conductor Stuart Chafetz, vocalist Capathia Jenkins, the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble. Marcus Center’s Uihlein Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit mso.org or call (414) 2917605.
Community “Messiah, ” 3 p.m. Dec. 4. The Milwaukee Area Messiah Community Chorus and Orchestra will perform Handel’s masterpiece at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W. Chapel Hill Road, Mequon. The chorus draws members from nearly 40 area churches. No tickets are required, but freewill offerings to benefit the Milwaukee Rescue Mission will be accepted.
“Holiday Journey,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The Wisconsin Philharmonic, with choral sup-
port from Waukesha North, Waukesha South and Waukesha West High Schools and AACT’s BRAVO! Youth Ensemble, sings the music of the season. Carroll University’s Shattuck Music Center, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha. For tickets, visit
wisphil.org or call (262) 5471858.
Tom Wopat & Linda Purl, 1 p.m. Dec. 7. Lodi native Wopat, a Broadway performer as well as a “Dukes of Hazzard” star, will sing a matinee concert of holiday songs and American standards with Purl, whose TV credits include “Matlock,” “The Office” and “True Blood.” Wilson Center, 19805 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Visit
wilson-center.com or call (262) 781-9520.
Cantus, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. This highly regarded Twin Cities male vocal ensemble will put on a program called “We All Will Be Together,” blending familiar Christmas songs, such as “Carol of the Bells” and “White Christmas,” with new music by Jennifer Higdon and others. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee. Visit southmilwaukeepac.org or call (414) 766-5049.
Bel Canto Chorus, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Organist Kevin Bailey and the Stained Glass Brass will join Bel Canto for a program of Christmas music, including the premiere of “Love Came Down at Christmas,” a new composition by Christian Ellenwood. Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Visit belcanto.org or call (414) 481-8801.
The Rose Ensemble, 5 p.m. Dec. 10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 11. The Minnesota-based group will perform “A Rose in Winter: The Miracle of New Life in the Dark of Night,” a program of
seasonal medieval and Renaissance music, including compositions of Hildegard von Bingen, Orlando di Lasso and Guillaume Dufay — plus the world premiere of “A Brighter Ray” by contemporary composer Victor Zupanc. St. Joseph Chapel, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. Call (414) 225-3113 or visit early musicnow.org.
Celtic Woman, 7:30 p.m.Dec. 14. The public-television stars from Ireland will perform Christmas music with an emerald tinge, backed by musicians from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. Visit pabsttheater.org or call (414) 286-3663.
“Messiah,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St.; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-17 and 4 p.m. Dec. 18, Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Guest conductor Ben Gernon leads the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and vocal soloists in Handel’s oratorio about the birth, passion and resurrection of Christ. Visit mso.org or call (414) 2917605.
Master Singers of Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 3 p.m. Dec. 18. St. Joseph Chapel, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. For this Christmas music program, titled “O Wondrous Night,” the Master Singers will be joined Dec. 17 by the Pius High School choir and Dec. 18 by the Port Washington High School choir. For tickets, visit mastersingersof milwaukee.org.