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As the holidays draw nearer, Portland offers even more musical celebrations!

“Gospel Christmas”
Dec. 9-11
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

Charles Floyd and the Northwest Community Gospel Choir return for the season’s most exuberant sounds.

“Glory of Christmas”
Dec. 11,16-18
Oregon Repertory Singers, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St.

Under new director Ethan Sperry, the venerable chorus sings favorite carols, plus modern and traditional Hannukah songs, sacred music by Benjamin Britten, Anton Bruckner, Henryk Gorecki, Portland’s Joan Szymko and more.

The Canadian Tenors

“The Canadian Tenors Christmas”
Dec. 16
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

The Oprah-approved quartet sings holiday tunes.

Handel’s “Messiah”
Dec. 16-18
Portland Baroque Orchestra, First Baptist Church, Southwest Taylor at 12th Ave.

If you can catch only one Messiah, PBO’s is the truest, because it uses the instruments, tunings and performance styles closest to the composer’s intentions — and it sounds magnificent, especially abetted by the sublime voices of one of the West’s finest choruses, Cappella Romana, and soloists from New York, Boston and Toronto. A young people’s concert on Dec. 19 features excerpts for shorter attention spans.

Portland Symphonic Girlchoir

“Ding Dong Merrily On High!”
Dec. 17
Portland Symphonic Girlchoir, Zion Lutheran Church, 1015 S.W. 18th Ave.

The award-winning ensembles, joined by the Portland Youth Ballet, present holiday favorites, plus music from Southern Africa and other cultures (including Broadway).

“The Mystery and the Glory”
Dec. 17-18
Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland, First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Ave.

Led by legendary PSU and Portland Symphonic Choir conductor emeritus Bruce Browne, recently returned to Portland, this concert features holiday music and settings of the religious texts O Magnum Mysterium and Gloria.

Handel’s “Messiah”
Dec. 21
Portland Chamber Orchestra, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St.

PCO’s worthy version of Handel’s stirring masterpiece features the Oregon Chorale, Portland Boychoir and soloists led by baritone Richard Zeller.

In Mulieribus

“Lux ex Nocte”
Dec. 21
In Mulieribus, St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 S.E. 16th Ave.

The superb all-female vocal ensemble presents the world premiere of “Lux ex Nocte” by Colorado composer Richard Toensing; percussionist Florian Conzetti will also perform in ancient carols and holiday songs.

“Comfort and Joy”
Dec. 22
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

Augmented by the Pacific Youth Choir, this family-friendly and agreeably priced concert presents classical and pop tunes of the season.

“Concert-at-Christmas”
Dec. 26, Portland Youth Philharmonic, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

All four PYP ensembles, with assistance from an alumni orchestra, perform dance music by Aaron Copland, Ponchielli’s famous dance of the hours (Remember the traipsing gators and hippos in “Fantasia”?) and more.

Tags: choir, choral, Christmas, Holiday, Music, symphony

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