HOLIDAY MUSIC SHOWS

From sing-alongs to the sublime solo show, music rings in the holidays

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

THURSDAY

Austin Handbell Ensemble Christmas Concert. Favorite holiday tunes played on more than 100 bells and chimes. Noon. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth St. Free, donations welcome. 415-4245 www.austinhandbells.org.

SATURDAY

Austin Handbell Ensemble Christmas Concert. Favorite holiday tunes played on more than 100 bells and chimes. 7:30 p.m. Wimberley United Methodist Church, RM 12 and County Road 1492, Wimberely. 415-4245. Free, donations welcome. www.austinhandbells.org.

'Holiday Choral Concert.' University of Texas Butler School of Music choirs sing a variety of sacred and secular holiday music that spans the centuries. 8 p.m. Bates Recital Hall, Music Building, Trinity St. and Robert Dedman Drive. $5-$10. 471-5401. www.music.utexas.edu.

SUNDAY

Austin Chord Rangers, 'Carol Fest at the Capitol.' Holiday favorites sung barbershop style in the Capitol Rotunda. Noon. Texas State Capitol. www.chordrangers.org.

Lampasas Community Cantata Choir, 'Festival of Carols.' 5 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 2 Alexander Drive, Lampasas. Free. 512-556-6997. www.lafta.org.

TUESDAY

Austin Symphony Orchestra, Handel's 'Messiah.' The immortal masterpiece of the season. This year's concert features guest soloists, soprano Beth Cram Porter, mezzo-soprano Leah Lewis, tenor Casey Finnigan and bass baritone William Parcher along with the Choirs of St. David's Episcopal Church. 8 p.m. Riverbend Centre, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360). $15-$35. 476-6064. www.austinsymphony.org.

DEC. 12

Austin Handbell Ensemble Christmas Concert. Favorite holiday tunes played on more than 100 bells and chimes. 7:30 p.m. University Presbyterian Church, 2203 San Antonio St. Free, donations welcome. 415-4245 www.austinhandbells.org.

Austin Singers, 'Colors of Christmas.' A cappella chorale gems, music with harp and oboe and majestic carols accompanied by brass quintet. 8 p.m. University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe St. $12-$15. 314-5532 www.austinsingers.org.

Texas Choral Consort, 'Carols and Lullabies: An International Christmas.' Ring in the holidays with Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Conrad Susa's 'Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest' and other seasonal selections. 8 p.m. Central Christian Church, 1110 Guadalupe St. $15-$20. 372-3233 www.txconsort.org.

DEC. 13

Austin Singers, 'Colors of Christmas.' A cappella chorale gems and majestic carols accompanied by a brass quintet. 8 p.m. St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E. 10th St. $12-$15. 314-5532 www.austinsingers.org.

Great Organ Series: Holiday Concert featuring Gerre and Judith Hancock. Traditional and festive songs of the season performed on the magnificent Visser-Rowland organ. 7 p.m. Bates Recital Hall, Music Building, Trinity Street and Robert Dedman Drive. $5-$15. 471-5401. www.music.utexas.edu.

Texas Choral Consort, 'Carols and Lullabies: An International Christmas.' Ring in the holidays with Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Conrad Susa's 'Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest,' and other seasonal selections. 8 p.m. Central Christian Church, 1110 Guadalupe St. $15-$20. 372-3233 www.txconsort.org.

Texas Early Music Project, 'An Early Christmas.' A diverse exploration of Christmas music from a medieval English prayer to a beautiful Baroque Dutch lullaby, featuring historical harpists Therese Honey and Becky Baxter. 8 p.m. First English Lutheran Church, 3001 Whitis Ave. $15-$20 371-0099 www.early-music.org.

DEC. 14

Austin Girls Choir, 'Christmas Classics.' Candlelight processions, Victorian costumes and carols in four-part harmony mark this traditional holiday concert. 4 p.m. Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd. $10 suggested donation. 453-0884. www.austin.girlschoir.com.

St. Matthew's Choir, Vivaldi's 'Gloria.' Annie Lane Byrom conducts the St. Matthew's Choir and the Orchestra of St. Matthew's in Antonio Vivaldi's joyous and celebratory choral masterpiece. 7 p.m. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive. Free. 345-8314. www.stmattsaustin.org.

Texas Choral Consort, 'Carols and Lullabies: An International Christmas.' Ring in the holidays with Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols, Conrad Susa's 'Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest' and other seasonal selections. 3 p.m. Central Christian Church, 1110 Guadalupe St. $15-$20. 372-3233 www.txconsort.org.

DEC. 16

Austin Symphony Orchestra Christmas Sing-Along. Led by guest conductor Carlton Dillard, this family-friendly community event invites the audience to sing along on favorite Christmas carols. 8 p.m. Riverbend Centre, N. 4214 Capital of Texas Highway. Free, but tickets required. 476-6064. www.austinsymphony.org.

DEC. 18-19

'Celtic Christmas at the Cathedral.' The Celtic Cultural Center of Texas and the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary's Cathedral present an evening of contemporary and classic holiday Celtic songs. 8 p.m. St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 W. Tenth St. $25. www.celticcenter.org.

DEC. 20

Austin Civic Chorus, '20th Annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah.' Bring or borrow a score and join in singing this holiday favorite. 6 p.m. Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive. $15-$35. 719-3300. www.chorusaustin.org.

Chorus Austin, 'On A Winter's Eve.' The collective ensembles of Chorus Austin come together in a holiday concert of traditional carols and chamber pieces. 7 p.m. Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive. $15-$35. 719-3300 www.chorusaustin.org.

DEC. 30-31

Austin Symphony Orchestra, 'Holiday Pops with the Flying Karamazov Brothers.' 8 p.m. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. $30. 476-6064. www.austinsymphony.org

JAN. 4

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Christmas songs and carols, rock opera style. 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Erwin Center, 1701 Red River. $37-$52. 477-6060. www.texasboxoffice.com.