From the Renaissance to the present day, the Christmas season has inspired composers to write some of their most picturesque and evocative music. You can experience this at this year's Christmas concerts with the DR Vocal Ensemble and honorary conductor Marcus Creed, where we will explore a wide range of musical history.

Christmas with the DR Vocal Ensemble

The Garrison Church

The ensemble’s recent album brings together a sequence of works, ancient and modern, to mark the feast of Epiphany.

EPSG:4326

The Gesualdo Six

Wigmore Hall

Under its founder and artistic director Jonathan Cohen, the versatile period-instrument group celebrates Christmas with vocal works and instrumental pieces by two leading figures from the early German Baroque, including Heinrich Schütz’s moving Christmas Story (1664).

Arcangelo; Jonathan Cohen artistic director

In the run up to Christmas, Wigmore Hall welcomes groups of various kinds, specialists in various repertoires, all intent upon celebrating the festive season in style. Tenebrae launches the season with a wide selection of carols for all tastes.

Tenebrae

Alumnus Andrea Roberto has gracefully agreed to delight us with a free concert during his upcoming visit to Arizona. Andrea is a unique rising star in the classical guitar scene, and will play instead of polish virtuoso Marcin Dylla who was unable to travel for unforseen circumstances out of his control.

Tucson Guitar Society – Andrea Roberto, Guitar (Previously Marcin Dylla, Guitar)

University of Arizona

Jean-Baptiste Lully was a French composer, conductor, and dancer who worked in the court of Louis the XIV. Despite his venerable status as an artist, Lully is perhaps best known for his death: He struck himself in the foot with a long conducting staff (this was before conductors waived batons, and instead would keep the orchestra in time by banging a large staff on the floor) and subsequently died of the infected wound.

Celebration Of The Dance

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church

Union Church of Hinsdale

The Oslo Philharmonic held its first Christmas concerts in 1969, and they have since become a cherished tradition for many in the run-up to Christmas.

Christmas concerts Herborg Kråkevik Oslo Philharmonic Choir

Oslo Concert Hall

Celebrate the holiday season with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra's "Christmas Brass" event, a spectacular showcase of holiday hymns and carols performed by Northern Colorado's most talented brass section. Under the expert direction of Dr. Ken Singleton, experience the power and beauty of resounding trumpets and triumphant horns in intimate settings across Northern Colorado. This joyful event is set to take place on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 9:00 PM.

The performances will feature a rich repertoire that includes classics such as Anderson's "A Christmas Festival," Haydn's "Achieved is the Glorious Work" from The Creation, and Handel's "Joy to the World," among other beloved pieces. The concert series will visit Windsor First United Methodist Church on December 14th, Fort Morgan United Methodist Church on December 15th, and Greeley First United Methodist Church on December 16th, ensuring audiences across the region can partake in the festivities.

This concert is proudly sponsored by Signature Stone- Dale Boehner & Wheeler Family Partnership- Dan Wheeler, and promises an evening of festive music that includes audience sing-alongs to favorites like "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season with the Christmas Brass event, a highlight of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra's 23-24 Season.

Christmas Brass

Union Colony Civic Center

Join CUSO for a holiday concert of wide-ranging delights designed to usher in a Season of Joy. From popular favorites like songs from Home Alone and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers to magnificent selections from the Christmas Oratorio of Bach, there will be music to please every listener. The lovely voices of the Central Illinois Youth Chorus and the University of Illinois Oratorio Society will add great beauty and cheer to the evening. There’s a good chance Santa Claus will also make an appearance! The finale will make spirits bright as Maestro Alltop leads a sing-along of favorite carols and the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

A Season Of Joy

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

The Festival Chorale presents its first concert under the direction of Matthew Evans, including works by Praetorius, J.S. Bach, Vaughan Williams, and more, followed by a selection of carols, both familiar and unusual.

The Festival Chorale: Christmas Through the Ages

Mendocino Presbyterian Church

The Pomona College Band, one of the oldest college bands in the country, was founded in 1909. It is the concert band for The Claremont Colleges and is funded by Pomona College. The band’s membership is drawn from students, faculty and staff of The Claremont Colleges, and members of the local community. Its goal is to prepare significant music in a collaborative atmosphere for performance at the highest level. They present two sets of concerts each academic year and have performed music by composers from Sousa to Bernstein and Ives to Rossini.

Pomona College Band 2023

Pomona College

Join us for an enchanting evening of brass music as the BRSO Academy and the Hermann-Levi-Akademie des Staatsorchesters present "Polished Brass - orchestra academies invite." This special concert will take place on Tuesday, 25th April 2023, at 7:00 pm in the vibrant setting of Munich's Werksviertel-Mitte, Technikum.

The evening's program promises a diverse range of compositions, starting with the majestic "Solomon: Entry of the Queen of Sheba HW 67 Act III Sinfonia" by Georg Friedrich Händel, followed by spirited "Dances from Terpsichore" arranged by NoPhilBrass from Michael Praetorius. The audience will be treated to Maurice Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso" and Johann Sebastian Bach's "Concert for Organ d-Minor BWV 596 after A. Vivaldi's L'Estro armonico op. 3 No. 11." Pietro Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana. Intermezzo" and Daniel Schnyder's "3 American Dances" will add to the evening's eclectic mix. The program will also feature contemporary pieces including Michael Clothier's "Rumba Fortinbrass" and a selection of songs from classic films and musicals, culminating in Goff Richards' "Homage to the noble grape."

This concert is a unique opportunity to experience the talents of the members of the BRSO academy and the Hermann-Levi-Akademie des Staatsorchesters as they come together to deliver a memorable performance. Don't miss this celebration of brass music in one of Munich's most dynamic venues.

For tickets and further information, please visit our website or contact our ticket hotline. Join us for a night of exquisite music that promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar.

Polished Brass - orchestra academies invite

Technikum

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of classical music with the upcoming Chamber Concerts presented by the esteemed Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. These intimate performances promise an unforgettable auditory experience, set against the backdrop of Munich's historical venues.

The first concert takes place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 8:00 pm in the Max Joseph Saal of the Munich Residence. The following evening, Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 6:00 pm, the ensemble graces the Evangelische Akademie in Tutzing with another performance. Each concert offers a unique opportunity to witness the orchestra's mastery in a more personal setting.

The program for these concerts features an eclectic mix of compositions, showcasing the versatility and depth of the trombone. From Daniel Speer's "Sonata for 4 trombones" to the contemporary vibes of Christian Muthspiel's "Is my shoe still blue für Posaune solo," the repertoire spans centuries of musical innovation. Highlights include Iannis Xenakis's "KEREN for trombone solo" and the playful arrangement of "Hey Jude for 4 trombones," bringing a modern twist to the classical genre.

Performing these pieces are four exceptional trombonists from the orchestra: Felix Eckert, Lukas Gassner, Uwe Schrodi, and Csaba Wagner. Their expertise and cohesion promise to bring the compositions to life, offering audiences a mesmerizing experience.

For those interested in attending, tickets are available for purchase online via the BRticket-Webshop. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the sublime beauty of chamber music performed by one of the world's premier orchestras in the heart of Munich.

Chamber Concert: 4 trombones

Munich Residence

Evangelische Akademie

Fifth Annual Holiday Baroque: The London Handel Players celebrate the holiday season with Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata, music from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio plus works by Vivaldi, Corelli, and more.

London Handel Players

Christ Church Grosse Pointe

A wide-ranging instrumental concert of dances from the British Isles, the New World, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Austria, showcasing the variety and richness in Baroque-era dance music. Perhaps you remember the joyous “Dancing in the Isles” program in 2016? Come for more toe-tapping traditional medleys and artful suites on Friday night, making the most of the excellent acoustics at St. Michael and All Angels in Corona del Mar. A Friday night like no other!

The Joy of the Dance

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Holiday Choral by Candlelight 2025

Mission San Rafael Arcángel

Delight in the brilliance of Amarcord, the acclaimed vocal ensemble from Leipzig, in a concert that highlights their remarkable blend and dynamic range. Renowned for their masterful interpretations of both classical and contemporary choral works, Amarcord brings technical precision and deep emotional resonance to every performance. Whether singing Renaissance gems or modern arrangements, their voices intertwine with effortless beauty, creating a sound that is at once powerful and ethereal. 

An Amarcord Christmas

The Rosen House at Caramoor

Bringing the curtain down on their twentieth anniversary year, Grammy-nominated VOCES8 presents a heartwarming winter concert filled with choral treasures old and new. This beautifully curated programme takes audiences on a seasonal journey, weaving together ancient melodies, contemporary reflections and festive favourites that sparkle with nostalgia and joy.

Winter Tales

Smith Square Hall

Praised as “a sheer delight” (NEW YORK TIMES), Apollo’s Fire’s acclaimed Christmas program returns! Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell weaves the extraordinary works of 17th-century composer Michael Praetorius into a Vespers service. The cathedral resounds in a splendor often reminiscent of Monteverdi – with antiphonal choirs, trumpets, sackbuts, cornettos, lutes, harp, strings and recorders. Familiar highlights include “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” and “In Dulci Jubilo.” Children’s voices shine in this haunting and joyous celebration of the Christ child.

Praetorius CHRISTMAS VESPERS

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron

St. Raphael Catholic Church, Bay Village

Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland

First Baptist Church of Shaker Heights

Jubilant choirs in high church halls, hardly anything reminds us more vividly of the deeper meaning of Christmas: the birth of a child and the promise of a happy future. And so the NDR Vokalensemble groups its Christmas concert around Johann Sebastian Bach’s motto »Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied«. Bach has two choirs compete with each other in the praise of God. And the magnificent final fugue »Alles was Odem hat, lobe den Herrn« with its virtuoso colouratura really hardly gives the singers a chance to catch their breath.

Michael Praetorius

Events

Upcoming events

4 - 7 Dec, 2025

Christmas with the DR Vocal Ensemble · DR Vocal Ensemble

6 - 7 Dec, 2025

Holiday Choral by Candlelight 2025 · Marin Symphony

Dec 7, 2025

An Amarcord Christmas · Caramoor

Dec 12, 2025

Winter Tales · Sinfonia Smith Square

12 - 21 Dec, 2025

Praetorius CHRISTMAS VESPERS · Apollo's Fire

Past events

4 - 7 Dec, 2025

Christmas with the DR Vocal Ensemble · DR Vocal Ensemble

Dec 20, 2024

The Gesualdo Six · Wigmore Hall

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