‘MESSIAH’ FANS JOIN IN SINGING

“Messiah” sing-along mania shows no signs of abating. Locally, the number of audience-participation versions of Handel’s best-known oratorio outnumber straight concert performances 3 to 1.

But at least no one can complain that the work lacks popularity.

It was not always so.

Mid-18th-Century Londoners took seven years before they were quite reconciled to the work. Londoners felt that the public stage was an offensively inappropriate place for the presentation of sacred biblical verse.

Even the belief that good King George II was so emotionally transported by the “Hallelulah” Chorus at the London premiere that he rose in praise--thereby engendering a tradition of standing that continues to this day--has become increasingly doubtful.

Many audiences today stand up to show reverence for Handel’s music, or perhaps for the work’s religious sentiments. But others feel that the tradition reflects only mindless homage to the British monarchy and is entirely out of place in a democratic society.

In any case, if you want to participate in a sing-along “Messiah,” there are several to choose from, including two performances by trend-setter Roger Wagner who started the whole Southland tradition in 1980.

--Wagner, founder and now director emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, will lead Handel’s beloved oratorio at 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 21 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

The holiday fraternal spirit will be manifested as members of “rival” Pacific Chorale and Master Chorale of Orange County join forces with Wagner, the Pacific Symphony--and the audience. Scores can be purchased in the lobby areas immediately before the performance. (For further information, call (714) 556-2787.)

For those who can’t wait for Wagner’s Christmas week performances, two other sing-alongs will be given on the same day at opposite ends of the county:

--David Lewis will conduct the Fullerton College Symphony, combined choirs of area churches and the audience at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the campus theater. (For further information, call (714) 871-8101.)

--Edward Low will lead Saddleback College instrumental faculty and Southland soloists at 4 p.m. on Sunday in Sillers Hall, next to St. Margaret’s Church, 31641 La Novia Ave., in San Juan Capistrano. The concert is sponsored by Libros y Artes, the city’s cultural center. (Call (714) 496-2132.)

For the purists, one lonely concert performance will have to suffice:

--Richard Raub will conduct the Orange Coast College Chorale, Singers and Orchestra at 8 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the Robert B. Moore Theatre on the Costa Mesa campus.

Raub plans to offer a mix of stylistic performance practices, using a 30-voice chamber choir to create light, quick choral textures and the entire 100-member choral to make bigger choral statements. (Call (714) 432-5880.)

A wide variety of other musical events can be sampled in Orange County during the holiday season, including two productions of Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a premiere of Thomas Pasatieri’s “A Joyful Noise” and innumerable opportunities to sing carols along with the professionals. Here’s a listing of events:

“Songs of Christmas” Community Sing-Along: 7 tonight, Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove. (714) 638-6766.

Pacific Chorale: “A Christmas Festival,” John Alexander conducts Chorale and Pacific Symphony in music by Bach, Vaughan Williams, Holst and others, with soloist mezzo-soprano Janet Smith, 8:30 p.m. Friday, Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Southern California College Chorale and Orchestra: “Christmas Concert and Carol Sing,” 8 p.m. Friday in the sanctuary of the Newport-Mesa Christian Center, 2529 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 556-3610, Ext. 272.

Wassail Dinner and Concert: Chapman Concert Choir and College Singers conducted by William Hall and Chamber Orchestra conducted by John Koshak at various locations at Chapman College, Friday and Saturday. Wassail at 6 p.m. at Bertea Hall; dinner at 6:45 at Hester Dining Hall; concert at 8 at Salmon Recital Hall. (714) 997-6871.

Madrigal Dinner: UC Irvine Chamber Singers and Chamber Choir directed by Joseph Huszti, 7 p.m., Friday through Tuesday; 5 p.m. on Sunday. Fine Arts Village Theatre stage, college campus. Also, Dec. 14 to 17. (714) 856-4904 or (714) 856-4259.

Irvine Valley College Chorale and Chamber Singers: Choral Holiday Festival, David Dickau conducts music by C.P.E. Bach, Scarlatti, Buxtehude, 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday at Red Hill Lutheran Church, 13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin. (714) 559-3333.

Saddleback College Concert Chorale: “ ‘Tis the Season,” seasonal music conducted by Alvin Brightbill, with the Geneva Carillon Handbell Choir, 8 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, McKinney Theatre, college campus, Mission Viejo. (714) 582-4656.

Orange County Master Chorale and Californians: Maurice Allard conducts Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Thomas Pasatieri’s “A Joyful Noise” (premiere), seasonal selections, at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Performing Arts Center. Also: Children’s Concert (“Amahl,” carols) at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Center. (714) 556-2787.

Orange Coast College Singers: Christmas Concert, Richard Raub, conductor, 7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1221 Wass St., Tustin. (714) 432-5803.

Christ College Choir and Chorale: Christmas Concert; Vivaldi “Gloria,” carols, conducted by B. Wayne Bisbee, 8 p.m. Monday, Zion Lutheran Church, 222 N. East St., Anaheim. (714) 854-8002.

Cypress College Camerata and Singers: Christmas Concert, conducted by Sheridan Ball, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Recital Hall, college campus. (714) 826-4511 or (714) 826-2220.

Haydn Orchestra: Holiday Concert, Alan Parker will conduct music by Scarlatti, Handel, Mozart, with soprano Katherine Peters, Monarch String Quartet, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Church of Religious Science, Seal Beach. (213) 598-3325.

South Coast Symphony: Holiday Concert, conducted by John Larry Granger, 3 p.m. Dec 13, Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St. (714) 662-7220.

Saddleback College Chamber Singers: Holiday Concert, conducted by Alvin Brightbill, 8 p.m. Dec. 13, McKinney Theatre, college campus, Mission Viejo. (714) 582-4656.

Cypress College Choirs and Orchestra: Multi Media Christmas Concert, Sheridan Ball conducts Poulenc’s “Gloria,” carols, 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Campus Theater. (714) 826-4511 or (714) 826-2220.

Irvine Symphony: Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Peter Odegard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” conducted by Roger Hickman, with Matt Estes, Margie Taylor, Richard Riffel, Harold Clousing, Brad McMurray, 8 p.m. Dec. 13, South Coast Community Church, 5120 Bonita Canyon Drive, Irvine. (714) 261-0231.

Fullerton College Band: Seasonal music, conducted by Larry Lowder, with soprano Laura Lowder, tenor Richard Dastrup, 8 p.m. Dec. 16, Campus Theatre. (714) 871-8101.

Fullerton College Chamber Singers: Madrigal Dinner, Songs, 7 p.m. Dec. 18 to 20, Student Center. Limited seating. (714) 871-8000, Ext. 336.

Pacific Symphony: “A Shirley Jones Christmas,” Shirley Jones, vocalist; All-County Choir; Keith Clark, conductor, 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20; also 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Performing Arts Center. (714) 556-2787.

Golden West College Symphonic Band: “Many Moods of Christmas,” conducted by Tom Hernandez, 9 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20, college campus. (714) 895-8245.

I Cantori: Baroque/Contemporary Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Robert B. Moore Theatre, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa. (714) 432-5527.

Saddleback Concert Singers: Holiday concert, conducted by Alvin Brightbill, 3 p.m. Dec. 21, Mission Church, San Juan Capistrano. (714) 582-4656.

Orchestra California: Holiday Concert, conducted by Kevin Golden, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. (714) 768-1776.