Some of the most outstanding music has been written as Christmas or seasonal holiday music. Sadly, a huge swath of it is repertoire that remains in the shadows.
This season will see a host of concerts. Some will bring to light unheard-of works from centuries ago and faraway lands, while others will offer traditional works with new arrangements.
Below are 10 concerts – some adventurous, some traditional – to choose from this holiday season:
Light Your World
Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus
What: This show continues the chorus' 28-year tradition of performing popular holiday music. Under the direction of incoming music director Steven Johnson, the program includes "A Social Network Christmas," the group's first original work jointly commissioned with the Seattle Men's Chorus.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: First United Methodist Church, 2100 J St., Sacramento
Tickets: $22-$40
Information: (877) 283-1567; www.sacgaymenschorus.org
Renew
Vox Musica
What: Vox Musica opens its seventh season with a program that showcases works from 14th and 15th century composers Cristóbal de Morales and Francisco Guerrero, as well as the work of 12th century composer Pérotin. Works to be performed will include saxophone and trombone improvisational accompaniment by jazz musicians Steve Lishman and Dyne Eifertsen.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: St. John's Lutheran Church, 1701 L St., Sacramento
Tickets: $15
Information: (916) 471-0507; www.VoxMusica.net
Frankincense & Myrrh: A Caravan of Exotic Choral Treasures
Vocal Art Ensemble
What: The Davis-based Vocal Art Ensemble plumbs seasonal works from the Old World and New in a program that combines male plainchant with Eastern European choral music, plus Zambian music for good measure.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7,
7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4 p.m. Dec. 9.
Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento (Dec. 7); Woodland Presbyterian Church, 1324 Columbia Drive, Woodland (Dec. 8); United Methodist Church of Davis, 1620 Anderson Road, Davis (Dec. 9).
Tickets: $6-$20 donation
Information: (530) 757-2396; www.vae.trug.com
A Holiday Concert with Messiah Sing-Along
Camellia Symphony
What: In its 50th year, the Camellia Symphony performs holiday music that includes 18th century composer Francesco Onofrio Manfredini's Concerto Grosso in C major, Op. 3; Handel's Organ Concerto in F, ("The Cuckoo and the Nightingale"), with Rexphil Rallanka, organ; and Part 1 from Handel's "Messiah."
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8
Where: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament,
1017 11th St., Sacramento
Tickets: $10
Information: (916) 929-6655; www.camelliasymphony.org
Home for the Holidays
Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra, and the Sacramento Children's Chorus
What: An annual choral holiday tradition continues this year featuring seasonal choral works by Barlow Bradford, Irving Berlin and others, plus the premiere of a new work commissioned for the Sacramento Children's Chorus and the SCSO by American composer Randol Alan Bass, celebrating the SCC's 20th anniversary.
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 8
Where: Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J St., Sacramento
Tickets: $35-$45
Information: (916) 808-5181; (916) 536-9065; www.sacramentochoral.com
A Celtic Christmas
Sacramento Master Singers
What: The holiday seasonal music of Ireland, Scotland and more will be the focus of the Master Singers, who will be joined by the Celtic duo Men of Worth. The concert will include new arrangements of traditional carols and holiday songs.
When: In Sacramento, 3 p.m. Dec. 9; 8 p.m. Dec. 15; 7 p.m. Dec. 20; and 3 p.m. Dec 23
In Folsom: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: St. Francis Church, 1112 26th St. , Sacramento; Three Stages Performing Arts Center, 10 College Parkway, Folsom
Tickets: $20-$55
Information: (916) 788-7464, www.mastersingers.org; (916) 608-6888, www.threestages.net
Buon Natale y Felices Fiestas
El Mundo, with Richard Savino
What: Fresh off a concert in New York City that was glowingly reviewed by the New York Times, the El Mundo ensemble of two sopranos, two violins, cello, harpsichord, guitar and the theorbo appears in a rare holiday concert in Sacramento. The group, headed by Richard Savino, who is on the music faculty at California State University, Sacramento, performs works by Italian, Latin and Spanish Renaissance composers. In Sacramento, El Mundo will perform holiday music from that era, including an 18th century trio sonata version of Corelli's Christmas Concerto as well as excerpts from El Mundo's excellent new Grammy-nominated CD, "The Kingdom of Castille."
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: St. John's Lutheran Church, 1701 L St., Sacramento
Tickets: $20
Information: (916) 278-7978, www.richardsavino.net
Holiday Concert
American Bach Soloists
What: For the first time in 10 years, ABS music director Jeffrey Thomas and his soloists will take a break from Handel's "Messiah." ABS will be joined by the Grammy- winning San Francisco Girls Chorus and soprano Mary Wilson in a program that includes Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G minor, Vivaldi's Gloria in D major, and Handel's Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 113) in D major, among other works.
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 16
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $25-$49
Information: (530) 754-2787, www.MondaviArts.org
A Chanticleer Christmas
Chanticleer
What: America's premiere male chamber ensemble has made it a tradition of performing holiday choral music in Sacramento. Its performance will include new arrangements of the tried and true, and some not-often-performed works, in a grand setting. When: 8 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1017 11th St., Sacramento
Tickets: $35-$65
Information: (415) 252-8589, www.chanticleer.org
The Snowman
San Francisco Symphony
What: The Oscar-nominated short "The Snowman" based on the book by Raymond Briggs, will be shown above the San Francisco Symphony musicians as they perform Howard Blake's heart-warming score. "The Snowman" is a short animated film that tells the story of a young boy's magical friendship with a snowman. The evening also features performances of child-friendly seasonal tunes and sing-alongs with the orchestra.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 21
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $35-$58; $17.50-$29 (student)
Information: (530) 754-2787, www.MondaviArts.org
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