The holidays are all about music, and you should find your way to a venue for a holiday concert to round out your entertainment choices this season. Singing carols is a core activity, and the May Festival probably knows more about singing than any organization in town: Check out their
CAROLFEST on Dec. 4 at Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. In addition to the chorus, there will be dancers, a church choir and a youth chorus. Tickets: 513-381-3300. ...
You can dial that same number to get tickets for something sort of new this holiday season: James Conlon, who normally conducts May Festival concerts, will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in an all-orchestral version of Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER on Dec. 3-5 -- sans dancers (the Cincinnati Ballet will offer that option later in December). And you might enjoy the Cincinnati Pops' HAPPY HOLIDAYS program, Dec. 9-12. The concert features Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee and five-time Grammy winner, Sandi Patty. ...
Choral music is available in many venues, starting with the annual ADVENT FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS featuring the Cathedral Choir of St. Peter in Chains (Eighth & Plum, Downtown); tickets: 513-421-2222. At UC's College-Conservatory of Music, you can deck the halls with the popular annual event, FEAST OF CAROLS, on Dec. 4-5. Lots of CCM's choral ensembles take part, in addition to several high school choruses, and groups like the Little Stars of Croatia Choir and the Peace and Serenity Choir. Tickets: 513-556-4183. One of the most polished programs you're likely to hear will be the annual HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERTS by the Vocal Arts Ensemble on Dec. 10 (St. Boniface, Northside), Dec. 11 (Athenaeum of Ohio, Mount Washington) and Dec. 12 (St. Peter in Chains Cathedral). This 24-voice professional chamber choir, directed by Earl Rivers, is celebrating its 25th annual season. Tickets: 513-556-4183. ...
And if you're looking for a holiday musical gift, let me recommend a recording of holiday music from movies, LIGHTS! CAMERA! CAROLS!, assembled by the Cincinnati Men's Chorus. From "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" to "Snowfall," the Manhattan Transfer classic, it's a great mood setter. Orders: www.cincinnatimenschorus.org.
